Excuses Cause Us to Miss God’s Best

Excuses Cause Us to Miss God’s Best  17 Dec 2012

Hebrews 11:23-29. In Exodus 3, God met Moses at a burning bush 
in the desert and called him to fulfill a strategic 
purpose: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring 
my people the Israelites out of Egypt…and I will be with you” (vs. 10,12). 
That call and promise should have been enough, 
but Moses had a lot of doubt. He had five excuses, 
and we use them, too.

1. I’M NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH. (Ex. 3:11)

Moses said, “I’m not the right guy. 
I’m insignificant and incapable.” Have you ever felt that way? 
When God calls us to serve or to be a great 
husband/wife/parent/Christian (or whatever He calls us to do) and we say, 
“I’m not important enough,” we are really saying that God is wrong. 
But God does not make mistakes. He will not ask you to do or be 
something without also empowering you to do or 
be whatever it is that He is calling you to.

2. I DON’T HAVE THE ANSWERS. (Ex. 3:13)

Moses said, “I’m not smart enough.” Maybe you have 
felt a bit overwhelmed or underprepared, 
but when we say this to God, we are saying that He is 
not able to answer the tough questions. 
We’re saying that He’s calling us to something but 
He won’t be there for us. How silly! Wherever God is calling you, 
He is already there. He will help you, heal you, 
release you, empower you, and show you the way. 
He just wants you to go.

3. I’M NOT COMPELLING ENOUGH. (Ex. 4:1)

Moses said, “It won’t work. I don’t have the influence. 
I’m poor at casting vision.” Can you relate to those feelings? “God, 
I can’t lead the way. I’m a lousy leader.” 
But when God calls us and we make up excuses like this, 
we are basically saying that God is unconvincing, 
powerless, and incapable of inspiring people. 
If He calls us, He will equip us. If we are open to Him, 
He will infuse us with everything we need.

4. I DON’T HAVE THE SKILL SET. (Ex. 4:10)

Moses said, “It is clear that God has the wrong guy, 
because I can’t even speak. I stutter. 
And I’m supposed to go and talk to the most powerful man in the world?” 
We’ve all felt under-qualified at times: 
“I’m not good enough, skilled enough, prepared enough, 
or capable enough.” But God always knows 
exactly what He is doing. He sees the end from the beginning. 
He just wants to know if you will have faith.
Will you be obedient? Are you available? Will you be a God-soldier?

5. I’M NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH. (Ex. 4:13)

Moses said, “I just don’t see it. I can’t feel it. 
I don’t have the willingness, desire, faith, 
or belief.” Have you ever been afraid or lacked hope? 
Maybe you didn’t believe that something in your marriage, 
family, or other relationships could become what 
it was supposed to be. But God’s will, vision, 
and purpose are not based on our confidence levels. 
And when we come up with excuses, 
we are saying NO to growth and faith and significance.

God says, “You are what you are, 
but you are not yet what you will be. 
I will be with you.” This week, get alone with God. Pray, 
read the Bible, and fast. Get serious about saying no 
to excuses and yes to God. Focus on a specific area 
in your life that has been excuse-ridden. T
ell God that you will obey and follow Him in all areas.