WHEN YOUR ACTIONS CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION
Exodus 2:11–22; 3:5–10
There is one thing common to everyone that God uses significantly: They have all failed at least once in their lives. God has never chosen the perfect or sinless person for a task because there are no perfect people.
Yes, we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory. The sexual sin of David, the pride of Jonah, Moses’s unhinged anger and Peter’s denial are just a few examples of people’s worst moments shown in the biblical narrative.
Because of the great redemption found in Christ, we are not left alone to pay the price forever. Failure is never the final word for the believer. What often goes unseen to us is how God is working His purposes in our lives through past experiences to fulfill His will and desires. We will fail — and sometimes we may fail on a large scale — but the love and grace of God are long-suffering and faithful, and He will never abandon us.
Our actions can lead us to unintended consequences. (2:11–15)
Looking back on my life and the lives of others, I have tried to serve, I realize that there are seasons in a person’s life that can trigger chain reactions. One bad decision can lead to another, which then leads to another and so on. At this point for Moses, the dominoes were beginning to fall. He allowed his anger to take control and he murdered an Egyptian.
He knew that if this was exposed publicly, his own life would be in danger. He buried the body of the deceased and convinced himself he was safe. Once he realized that others knew about his actions, he fled in search of safety.
God can use unintended consequences to prepare us for the future. (16–22)
Even in our darkest moments and times of uncertainty, God is with us and is in control. It may seem that Moses was in the wrong place at the right time, but he was still in a place where God would use him and protect him.
His simple act of helping women draw water for their family’s flock and shielding them from unkind shepherds was an extension of God’s grace. Yes, Moses was on the heels of some sinful deeds, but God was far from through with him.
God can use unintended consequences to enhance others’ lives. (3:5–10)
Later, the true purpose of God’s calling for Moses became more evident. It was not to hide in fear or to remain a shepherd but to lead people — most likely around 2 million — toward the promised land over the final 40 years of his life. Though Moses might seem like an unlikely candidate, God always has a plan and an eternal perspective. When we view certain actions as unforgettable or feel we are unusable, remember that God’s power knows no limits.
Your mistakes and hardest moments can be used by God to help others and bring them closer to Him. God’s goodness surpasses any flaws in you. You are not powerful enough to dethrone God or stop His plans. Made mistakes? You’re not alone! It doesn’t mean God’s work with you is over.
What seemed like a setback can now be your comeback, allowing you to accomplish great things for our Lord.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
