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This blog post is Part 11 of a series entitled "From Fear To Freedom" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: April 21, 2024

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God completely knows my inadequacies.
God is fully aware of my limitations.
God is keenly mindful of my faults.
God recognizes the unholiness of my behavioral patterns.
God too comprehends the wounds from my past.

Yet…

God chooses to pursue me.
God chooses to speak to me.
God chooses to reveal His plans unto me.
God chooses to use me.

Such truths are unfolding before us, revealed to us, in, now Week 11, of our From Fear to Freedom study of the life story of Moses. As we continue to journey with Moses, I want to invite you, implore you, that you make it your personal journey to immerse yourself into the story. You see…The more I journey with Moses, the more intimately coupled I will find myself with the man Moses, and too, with the will of God for my life. I should welcome such intimacy. Church, our ambition when we study God’s Word together is not merely community with one another. Though this is important and is so very much a part of God’s people uniting together for worship, the breaking of bread, conversation, and having healthy accountability with and for one another. However…

My greater aim as a believer, while immersing myself into the Holy Scriptures, is to discover the holy attributes of God, and thus, strive to become more like God.

You see what I am to personally ingest from this study of Moses, is not merely that an 80 year-old man in the Old Testament has a really great “God story” of which songs and books are written. I instead am coming to better understand that we each have a story… I have a story of greatness. You have a story of greatness. We each have: A story of being called by God to greatness. A story of being used by God for greatness. A story, in spite of our incessant and persistent choices to deny God and distrust God and question God and even fail God…My story and your story may never be one of “greatness” as defined by the world’s standard. But know this Church…

If you are striving to walk step in step with the Christ, God is writing a most beautiful story – a story of greatness – and you play the lead role. And with each step of submission and willingness and obedience, you are becoming more like Him and more empowered to live for Him.

I am learning as I continue to study God’s Word, that God isn’t just speaking to Moses. No… there’s a message here on this mountain for us each today. And these real-to-life stories about a unique moment in history when God did something amazing…the truth is… this very same God wants to do the same in my life and in your life too! So… let us gather around this bush that is on fire; let us each place ourselves on this mountain of God - the mountain Horeb; let’s remove our sandals, and let’s see what God wants to say to us each today:

Exodus 3:1-10

I returned yesterday from the West Coast. I've been in San Diego this week speaking at an event. Every time I travel, I am reminded of these two realities about the south:

1. Any time I wish to complain about the economy of Nashville, I should simply spend a few days in California. I went to the store Tuesday to load up on some snacks for my room - - I purchased strawberries, granola, yogurt, water, and Diet Coke. 5 items… 5 items! I spent $97.

2. I really, really miss a good glass of Southern iced tea when I’m not in Music City! Every time I get out of the South, I am reminded that hardly anyone knows how to make good southern iced tea. Even the San Diego Hilton did not even serve iced tea! Sinners! Last night, I made a glass, or two or three of iced tea, I built a fire, and sat on the patio in the backyard. It was so good to be back home. As I am sitting on the patio last night in front of the fire, I attempted, as best I could, to imagine God speaking to me through a fire. Imagine if God were to reveal Himself to you in a similar manner…

Here in Exodus 3, Moses seems to have become quite content in his life as a nomad, serving his father-in-law as a lowly sheepherder in a desolate place. As is always the case with God, revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures we study, there is never, ever, a coincidence in what we read and learn within these pages. As we have already established, we do not know with 100% accuracy where Moses has spent the last 40 years. The Midianites, of which Moses has now become family, are nomads, or wanderers. But notice, after 40 years of such wandering with absolutely no scriptural reference to where Moses is living, we now become privy of Moses’ presence in a very specific and holy place:

Exodus 3:1

Why is this revelation so very important to our study? Well, I see it as super relevant for two reasons. First, Locations are important to God. Let me ask you…Can you remember a specific moment in time, possibly even a specific location, where you know that you heard God speak directly to you, either audibly or through a situation or circumstance?

After 40 years of silence, God meets with Moses at the burning bush on Mount Horeb. Interestingly, this is the same location upon which God will eventually meet again with Moses for an extremely critical conversation we will soon study when we arrive at Exodus chapter 19… by my estimation… at the pace we are going we should arrive at this important conversation between God and Moses at some point in the year 2027. I’m really excited about that! Consider… God spoke with Jacob at Jabbok. God speaks to Moses on several occasions at Mount Sinai. God spoke to Job while he sat in the dirt scrubbing the blisters on his body. God spoke with Jesus on the Mount of Olives. With each of these locations, God chooses to reveal specifics to us as to where He is, what He is doing, and what specific and often critical message He communicates in this moment.

I wonder… can you see a similar pattern in your life as you consider past moments when you absolutely knew God spoke to you in some location and in some way? As I have thought of this this very week, I can say an emphatic, “Yes!” I remember several such instances. I too have very specific locations where I know, it is in these places, where I can see a consistent pattern in my spiritual walk of God speaking to me. One… my office on-campus here at DF. It’s a special place to me. Since arriving as your Pastor in 2020, I have written 334 different messages. A majority of these messages were written in my office. I too know that I have met with God so very many times on my patio at home. This is a special place to me as well. Through my years of traveling, I can recall so very many moments, very specific locations where I know God has spoken to me. Were being in these locations necessary to me in order to hear from God? Or is it that, in such special places to me, I allowed my heart to be positioned properly to best hear from God? I presume both can be true. Answer this:

Is there a location at which I know I have heard God speak to me?

Maybe there is a vacation spot you frequent, and every time you are there, you and God really connect? Or possibly there is a location at which you arrive each day on your morning walk, and it is in these moments when you clearly are able to position your heart to hear from Jehovah God. Maybe it is on your back patio, or in your favorite living room chair when you have your morning coffee and devotional… Of course it is important to note that God can speak to you and me at any location and at any time of His choosing. So, our hearts should always be attune to His voice… no matter where we are. But this pattern in Scripture is clear – God throughout Scriptures has met with His people and shared His deepest longings and expectations and will in such specific places in Scripture. This may not be the case for everyone today. But if you can say, “Yes, yes, I too remember such a specific moment when God spoke a Word to me, whispered into my ear, or brought comfort to my soul,” then I implore you:

I should often recall what God spoke to me in such places.
I should re-visit such places.
I should arrive at such places with an expectant and eager anticipation to hear from a Holy God.

Read again: Exodus 3:1

Why is this revelation so very important to our study? Well, I too see that, not only are locations important to God, but ... Names are important to God. I have shared this with you many times before. I again implore you, during your personal times of study, when you come across a name, i.e. a person, a city, a village, or as is the case here with Moses, a specific location… research the said name. Again, we have not been privy to the exact location as to where Moses has spent the past 40 years of his life until now, here in Exodus 3. And it is at this moment in Moses’ journey that God reveals to us the name of the location at which Moses has arrived: 

Horeb /Hebrew/ = mountain of God

Scripture reveals this to us. And the meaning of this location in the Hebrew reveals to us what this name “Horeb” means:

Horeb/ Hebrew/ desolation; misery; emptiness

Notice again, Exodus 3:1

Do you see the description as to the location at which Moses has arrived? I am not merely referring to Horeb. Look again at what Scripture tells us about the place at which Moses has arrived? “The wilderness.” For 40 years Moses has been in his own personal wilderness. And at the end of this chapter of his life, at the end of his 40 years, on “Day 1” of his new life, he comes to the “far side of the wilderness,” and there, at the end of his wilderness journey, he meets with God!

What is truly fascinating are the words used here to describe the ending of the journey at which Moses is arriving. Note the use of the word “far” in verse 1. This Hebrew word is not referencing distance. Rather it is referencing something entirely all the more amazing! Look at what the word “far” in the Hebrew means:

Far /Hebrew/ to leave behind; last of all

So God is clearly wanting us the reader to understand less of the distance Moses has traveled and instead the reality that Moses has finally come to the end of the 40 years and is now ready to leave behind his past and follow God to freedom. And in doing so, we know that the “desolation, and misery, and emptiness” with which Moses has been consumed for 40 years y’all, is coming to an end! Read with me again starting in:

Exodus 3:4-10

I want to offer to you 3 critical truths I have discovered in studying this passage this week as I have strived to place myself into the story of Moses. God has revealed these truths to me personally this week. I pray the same for you! Let’s jump in:

1. I do not have to always understand God’s ways. I do have to revere God’s holiness.

We know that Moses is not fully privy to all that is happening, nor all that God has been preparing to do with the nation of Israel, and specifically, in the life of Moses. Nonetheless, God commands of Moses an action of true reverence and respect:

Exodus 3:5

This is holy ground. Not because of the location. Rather, because God has consumed this location. You know what I find most ironic about this moment in scripture… I've met a lot of people through the years who believe you're supposed to dress a certain way when you come to church. I've never seen anyone come to church with their shoes off. But I have heard a lot of people through the years condemn people for not wearing the “right shoes,” or “right clothes,” or, by their definition, “the right attire” … I think we have to be really careful about this church. Because what defines “right” or one’s “very best?” To you, your “very best” may be a three piece suit. Yet, to someone else their definition of their “very best” may be their favorite blue jeans… or even their khaki shorts.

I say, “Dress how you want to dress. If you feel as though you should dress up at church, do it! Rock it!

If you want to dress casual at church… be casual! At Donelson First, I want us to be very careful not to insert man’s traditions as God’s expectations.

I dare say not one of you would think that it's okay to come to church with your shoes off, but interestingly, here we see the exact command from God for Moses to remove his footwear! Significantly, priests within the nation of Israel, as we will soon study, appear to have not even worn shoes in the Holy Tabernacle. In Exodus 26, the priestly garments are described in detail. Yet, there is no mention of any footwear. Here at their first meeting, God tells Moses to remove His footwear. At the beginning of Day 1 for Moses, this is the second command God demands of Moses: First, to not come any closer. Secondly, to revere the holiness of God by removing his sandals.Surely in this moment… Moses is confused. We know he is in fear of his life. This is why he turns away from God. He does not have any clue as to why he hears this voice projecting from a bush on fire in the middle of the desert. But, regardless of his knowledge of the situation, or full understanding in all that God is demanding of him, he still chooses to revere the holiness of God. Oh, Church, that you and I would do the same in our own lives!

I have not always revered the holiness of God when He has made a request or demand to me. Embarrassingly and regrettable, I have far too many times chosen my way before His way. And, in doing so, each time I have paid the price. Moses will too later in this story. I still recall, while adamantly pursuing a career as a musician and songwriter, the first call I received to go to another state and preach. I was offended and angry because the call was not for me to play music. But instead for me to preach. I did not want to do it! I wanted to say “no” and keep pushing and pursuing my love – my dream – of playing music on the biggest of stages and singing my songs to the world. But I knew… deep down I really knew this was the direction the Lord was leading – this was my burning bush moment. So I reluctantly said, “Here I am. I will go.”

I did not know then that, when I agreed to take that first speaking event, such a step of obedience would lead to now, 30 years of preaching, a book deal with America’s largest publishing company, a privilege of preaching all across America and into 5 other countries, the personal privilege of watching thousands and thousands of people of all ages surrender their lives to The Christ at engagements. At that time 30 years ago when I was playing music, I did not want to preach, I did not understand why I was not getting what I wanted and I really was confused about the whole thing… but I have learned, and it has taken me a while to do so…My comprehension, or lack thereof, of my personal circumstances, challenges, and convictions must not dictate my decision to revere the holiness of God.

2. I do not need to be seen as important to the world. I do need to see how important the world is to God. 

One important note I want to clearly draw to your attention are the words God so intimately shares with Moses about His concern for the world – specifically for His people, the nation of Israel.

Look again at: Exodus 3:7

Oh how these words parallel the words we read concerning God’s heart for His people at the end of Exodus 2:

Exodus 2:24-25

Such revelations from God speak so powerfully to how the Lord sees this world. He is not a distant God. He is not a God from afar. Instead, He is a God intimately concerned over the state of our pain and our brokenness as a people. And I presume too that if…The Church can assume a similar posture of compassion and brokenness and hurt for the world, we too could then begin to see the world as God does and then go to the world as God desires with the only message of hope and redemption for humanity… Christ. Perfect. Holy. Crucified. Risen. Our Savior.

You see Church, God’s immanence is that of an involved God in the world today. God is inherent; innate; intricately present and concerned about the state of humanity. And in His first command to Moses, God shares with Moses very intimately both His knowledge of the state of His people and His concern for their mistreatment. Wow! What a powerful moment of which I appeal you to not quickly pass over. God is revealing to Moses that He understands the hurt of His people… and He wants to do something about it. I wonder how very many people have passed over, or even ignored, an opportunity to serve others or to share about Jesus with others, out of a fear, just like Moses, of being rejected and ridiculed? You see y’all, we are reminded once again just how very rampant fear runs throughout this story. Look again at what God then says to Moses:

Exodus 3:10

God reveals to Moses that, not only does His heart hurt for the hurting, but too that God has chosen Moses as the one to go and to help redeem His people. Moses’ immediate response?... “I am a nobody!” Read at how he responds to God’s call:

Exodus 3:11

Moses is saying, “Surely I can’t be the one to fulfill this mammoth-sized task!” I am confident with everything that is in me that God knew this would be Moses’ response. This is why… before God ever reveals to Moses what He wants him to do, God first reveals this:

Exodus 3:6

God wants Moses to know…Moses, it does not matter that you are seen as unimportant to the world! It does not matter that the Pharoah and all of Egypt do not know who you are. Because I know who you are! I am the God of your family. I am the God of your ancestry. I am the God of your heritage. I am the God of your father. And I am the God of this story that has been on-going long before you. I have all of this under my control. You see… God is building His case – presenting supporting evidence to help Moses see that there is a greater story at play that has been unfolding long before Moses committed murder and fled to Midian to live an obscure and unknown life to the rest of the world! God is making this moment incredibly personal and intimate for Moses – essentially saying… I am involved. I am present. And I can be trusted. You, Moses, can trust me. And no matter how you feel about you… and no matter what the world thinks, or does not even think about you, I know you. I am here with you in this very moment. And I want you, Moses, to know this very truth:

Worldly acclaim does not dictate God’s anointing. 

The last truth I want you to take with you into this week:

3. I do not have to give God my permission. I do have to give God my trust.

God does not request permission from Moses in this story. He does not have to do so. He is God… period. He can do what He desires. He can demand what He desires. Nor does God ask for our permission or advice regarding His will for our lives. Nonetheless… look at how Moses responds:

Exodus 3:11

What? Are you kidding me? This is how Moses responds to a Holy God? After 40 years of silence, God has now come to Moses, has met with Moses, and has revealed for Moses His divine plan. And fascinatingly, God has chosen to speak to Moses on a mountain called “desolation, misery and emptiness!” And, if this were not enough to get the attention of, and garner the trust of, Moses, God speaks to Moses through a burning bush in the middle of no-where-ville! Yet… Moses still questions God! Why? Why the reservation on the part of Moses?

It’s simple: Fear. “The fear of what?,” you ask. The fear of rejection. Intimidation. Humiliation. Embarrassment. Failure. I am of the belief that Moses is consumed with fear in this moment because Moses is under the impression that he is to be the deliverer of God’s people. But this is not what God said, is it? Read again with me and take notice to God’s words:

Exodus 3:7-8

Do you see it? Moses is the instrument God is using. But Moses is not the deliverer. God is! Huge difference in the two; a complete game-changer; a risk-free adventure of a lifetime! Because such a scenario means that all the pressure is on God… not on Moses! Listen, God always has a plan. Always. And nothing can stop His plan. And what is most beautiful about God’s plans…

God chooses to involve me in His plans. My responsibility? Trust. Trust in God is earnestly saying “Yes” to God.

Answer this question: Does God need Moses to aid Him in setting free His people in Egypt? Absolutely not. Then, another question… “Why? Why use him?” “Why use any of us?”

I am confident the answer to each of these questions speaks directly to the overwhelming love God has for you and for me.  You see… by choosing to use you and me to accomplish His plan, God fully knows that things will get messy. He is copiously aware that when you and I get involved, things will most likely go south at some point. This is exactly what we are going to see from Moses. He will fail God on multiple fronts. Yet, God stays the course in using Moses… and He does the same for you and for me. You see… 

God knows I will fail Him. Yet He is willing to involve me in His story of redemption for humanity. My obedience in saying “Yes” is less about the degree to which I will or will not fail and is more about the choice of surrender as I place my trust in Him.

I ask you to answer these final two questions this morning:

What is being asked of me by God?
If I am yet to say, “Yes,” why?

I can assure you of this Church: I will never regret coming to the fire, hearing from God, and responding, “Here I am, Lord, send me.”

_________________________________

Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.