10 June 2024 – What have I learned today?
Acts Chapter 7: Verses 23-25 (NIV-UK)
“When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. He saw one of them being ill-treated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defence and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realise that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.”
Stephen, still being directed by the Holy Spirit, tells us a little about Moses. It seems from what Stephen says that Moses had a sense, even at this stage in his life, that he was being called to rescue Israel from the hand of the Egyptians. But it also seems that Moses jumped the gun and tried to take matters into his own hands, and like others in the Bible, tried to pre-empt what God was planning to do. He had a sense of calling and thought the Israelites would sense it too – except they didn’t, and it wasn’t the right time.
We too need to be careful when we feel a sense of calling on our life. Sometimes the call is immediate, but at other times there is a period of waiting and preparation. We may feel ready as soon as we sense that call, but we still need to be careful that we are tuned in to when God says, “the time is now.” His timing is always perfect, but sometimes we make things more complicated by trying to lend a hand, when God doesn’t need or want it. He is God, and He knows what He’s doing!
Dear Lord,
Thank You for teaching us through the example of others. Moses tried to do something that he thought was right, instead of waiting for Your direction. Help me to wait until You tell me to act. I know Your timing is always right, but I’m not always patient. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.