He just couldn’t take it anymore. Moses saw an Egyptian beating an Israelite and it was literally the last straw. When he witnessed this violent scene, he responded in anger and killed the Egyptian taskmaster. Then, knowing his life was in danger, Moses fled to the backside of the desert.
As you learned in the February devotions, for forty long years Moses lived with the memory of an aborted destiny. He had tried, and failed. Would God ever use him again? Have you been there? Are you there right now? You tried to step out and do what God called you to do, only to fail. Have you, like Moses, retreated to the desert to nurse your wounds?
One day, while watching a flock of sheep in the desert, Moses saw a burning bush which, miraculously, was not consumed (Exodus 3:1-10). When he turned aside to see it, God spoke to him telling him to return to Egypt and deliver Israel from slavery. Note that it was right there where he was--in the desert--that Moses received the commission for his divine destiny.
You are not abandoned in the desert and left to die. God knows right where you are, just as He knew where Moses was. The words you are reading right now are His “burning bush” message to you. There are several things revealed in this story of Moses that will help you move from the backside of the desert to return and embrace your divine destiny. Let's review these:
-Reject excuses for remaining where you are. Moses had a multitude of excuses why he could not fulfill his destiny: Who am I? What authority do I have? What if they don't believe me? What shall I say? There, in the desert, God dealt with every excuse.
-Realize that things always get worse when it is time for a move. When Moses returned to Egypt, things got worse for God’s people before they got better. Right before your victory, immediately before reaching your divine destiny--things may get worse.
-Respond to each difficulty on the basis of the covenant promises of God. Moses came to Egypt and stood before Pharaoh with a powerful message of deliverance based on the covenant promises of God.
-Rise up and take action. You must act upon the Word of God or, otherwise, you will stay right where you are spiritually. In God's perfect timing, Moses left the desert to fulfill his destiny.
-Rely on God’s power to fulfill your destiny. It was not Moses' miracles when he stood before Pharaoh. It was God's miracles. You will only be able to fulfill your destiny through His miracle-working power.
Your ministry may have been aborted because of circumstances, hurt, or disillusionment. Perhaps you were rejected by those to whom you ministered. Why you are on the backside of the desert is not as important as what you are going to do about it. The bush is burning for you right there in your desert. You can be assured: God isn’t finished with you yet.
PRAYER:
My FATHER, My God, this year let my life reflect the blessing of the Lord, I shall not be static, I decree PROGRESS, FAVOR, HONOR, AND INFLUENCE are my portion. My life is SALTED, My speech is SALTED, My Home and Business are SALTED in the name of Jesus.