The more I read and study the life of Moses for my Bible Study Fellowship class, the more I see myself in him. Maybe it’s not more of me I see; instead a similar walk of faith. From doubts in why God would call him, to expectations placed on God’s timing, to a stronger faith in Him as a result of the many trials endured.
During my study time I switched from reading the Book of Exodus using Bible Gateway to utilizing my NIV Life Application Study Bible. This Bible has proven to be a wise purchase because like it says, it helps me apply God’s word to present day life.
“In Moses we see an outstanding personality shaped by God. But we must not misunderstand what God did. He did not change who or what Moses was; he did not give Moses new abilities and strengths. Instead, he took Moses’ characteristics and molded them until they were suited to his purposes. Does knowing this make a difference in your understanding of God’s purpose in your life? He is trying to take what he created in the first place and use it for its intended purposes.”
I find myself turning the pages of my Bible to verse 13 from Psalm 169: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” It makes sense, doesn't it? That He would take what He created and use it for His intended purpose.
Suddenly, I think of the new normal we seek being us aligning more and more with what God intended for us from the very beginning. From that day He began knitting us together in our mother’s wombs.
I see how it really is God’s will being accomplished. Because of our testimony, through us, others will know Him. Because in all cases, God accomplishes His purpose so “they might know that I am God.”
And this new knowledge does make a difference in my understanding of God and His purpose in my life and my marriage.
As I studied the Ten Plagues of Egypt sent upon Egypt by God to show His power over the gods they worshiped, my mind wandered off to the many trials our marriage endured.
- A child before we were married
- Alcohol addiction
- Extramarital affair by one
- Extramarital affair by the other
- Emotional abuse
- Depression
- Eating disorder
- Walking out
- Walking out again
- Financial distress
- Emotional impact on our children
Could each one of them been a trial, a lesson to be learned, sent upon us by God to reveal His power over that which had become our love idols? Were they not each a result of a hardened heart toward God?
God does only good things. Although this is true, He will use our hardened hearts as an opportunity to demonstrate His power and to bring glory to His name. He will use everything to bring glory to His name.
God had the ability to soften Pharaoh’s heart from the very beginning. He could have brought the Israelites out of Egypt much sooner. He's God so He could do anything. And yet He has given us this thing called free will.
God had a plan for the Israelites’ exit from Egypt. Typical for His character, His plan was far greater than Moses, Aaron, the Israelites and even the Egyptians could see or understand.
God could have softened our hearts (my husband and me) much sooner. I cried out to Him many times to come to our rescue. But with each trial the end result remained the same; our hearts did not believe.
God had a plan for my husband and me. He had a plan far greater than we could see or understand. In God’s own proper time, we would be free from our sin and have a new life in Christ.
I go back to Moses. The NIV Life Application Study Bible said God “took Moses’ characteristics and molded them until they were suited to his purposes.” Had God been molding and shaping us through our trials? His word does say that all our days were ordained and written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16).
My perspective of past hurts has changed. More so than previously I see their purpose. Each trial had a purpose. It had nothing to do with us. It had nothing to do with God loving us less. It had everything to do with God revealing His glory to us so that we could share with others the hope we have in Him.
Once again, I come to the new normal we seek . . . He must become greater.
We are far from an outstanding personality like Moses. But we've have been touched and changed by God. An outstanding personality isn't required to be used by Him. He takes the weak and uses us so He alone can be glorified.
How great is our God.
Image source: Unsplash
God clearly allows those things in our lives to build our character and faith. He is the author and FINISHER of our faith. I love that... Finisher. He allows. We choose. He knows we will choose one way or the other. He works.
ReplyDeleteI did The James study (Beth Moore) last year and learned a tremendous amount about how we aren't to be off trying to become perfect - just as you share here Beth - but instead, God is perfecting us. FINISHER.
Your marriage has seen the Overcomer overcome the choices you both chose. That is true beauty indeed. ❤️
I have heard so many wonderful things about Beth Moore studies. Can you believe I have yet to read one of her books? It's time to change that.
DeleteThank you for your kind words, Heather. You truly are a blessing to me and I am so grateful for your friendship. Much love. xoxo
I still love this post. :) And, even more, I love your heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristin! And thanks for taking a preview before I posted. Love you.
DeleteYes, God uses the hard places in our lives to mold us and shape us for His glory. Oh how He turns it all around when we strive to be close to Him. Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to be on a journey of becoming closer and closer to Him with you, friend. Much love. xoxo
DeleteDear Beth ... What beautiful weavings He crafts out of the ups and downs, the ins and outs of the seasons of our lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat joy has come out of your trials ...
God is good! Love you, friend. xoxo
DeleteI find this so interesting (and encouraging!):
ReplyDelete"Instead, he took Moses’ characteristics and molded them until they were suited to his purposes."
We don't have to be downcast about our personality style, whether introvert, extravert, etc., but can trust that God can use it to his best advantage if we let him. Thanks for sharing this insight, Beth.
It's freeing isn't it. And yes the key is to let Him use us to His best advantage. Thank you for stopping by, Lisa. Blessings. xoxo
DeleteYour honesty always blows me away. And you have talked about such vulnerable things - things that just reflect the humanness that plagues us all. But yes, God can and does and will use each one of us, if we yield our particular personalities, our wills, to His purposes.
ReplyDeleteMoses did some outstanding things, yes. But, initially he had quite an argument with God about a certain speech problem. God finally appointed Aaron to speak for Moses. So, even Moses, a pillar of the Old Testament, even he had his faults and shortcomings. And yes, God still used him mightily.
Really enJOYed this message today!
GOD BLESS!
I always appreciate your insight, Sharon. It's so true what you said about Moses. But God . . . when we are weak, He is strong! Love you, friend. Thank you for your encouragement. xoxo
DeleteMy God, my God, bless this wonderful woman and her incredible insights.
ReplyDeleteBeth. Girl. This post just knocked my socks off. I had to fight tears, work through goosebumps and refrain from shouting God's goodness from the rooftops.
This is hands-down one of the most encouraging posts I have read in a very long time.
Thank you, dear friend. Just thank you.
Sharita, Your kind words truly touched my heart. Thank YOU, dear friend. I am so very grateful for your friendship. Much love. xoxo
DeleteYou know when you say that the hurts had a purpose... that you can look back now and see where He was working. That is the beauty of this living for God in spite of our past. That is the blessedness of knowing that no matter what His love is more than enough, that it fills us and makes up for all that we have in our past. Even more, the past.. we all have them... they make our ministry to others approachable.
ReplyDeleteYou bless me sweet Beth!
Love,
Dawn
His love IS more than enough. Amazing Grace! Thank you, sweet friend, for your encouraging words. YOU bless me. I am so glad we connected in this beautiful online world. Much love. xoxo
DeleteWhat a beautiful way of looking at trials and hardships because this is all so true. God can make good come out of everything, including our past hurts and mistakes. I really am so thankful that He can take the weak and use us for His glory! So amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful post! I love this and I love your heart behind this.
Thank you, Ronja. It's always wonderful to have someone new stop by for a visit. I appreciate your kind words. When we are weak, He is strong. It is so amazing, isn't it. But I am oh so grateful for His love and grace. Blessings to you.
DeleteI am in awe of the insights God is giving you, precious friend! Thank you, so much, for sharing here with us. Love you!! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet friend. Love you much. xoxo
DeleteHi Beth! I think this is one of your best posts. What a blessing to be able to look back in wisdom and see God's hand in your life, even in the hardest of times. And to know that he takes everything you have and molds and shapes it to make you the best you can be.
ReplyDeleteWhat a journey you've had. But you are not bitter, you are thankful. That says a lot about your faith, and your faithfulness.
Wow. That's all I've got to say.
Ceil
Thank you so much, Ceil. Praise God for how He molds and shapes us. It took me a while to get to this point but I am grateful for how I can now look back and see His presence through it all. Love you, friend. So grateful for your friendship. xoxo
DeleteWow Beth! What a journey you've been on!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Michelle. Blessings.
DeleteLove this. You are a blessing in your authenticity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your heart and your realness. xo
ReplyDelete