Day 12: Who Am I?
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20, New International Version.
The Inadequate Leader
A 2014 study revealed that most CEOs, despite success and promotion, see themselves as frauds. God called an old humble shepherd, Moses, to a nearly impossible leadership task — forcefully removing about a million slaves from one of the most powerful nations on earth. On top of this, both the slaves and the masters had rejected him, and he had been in hiding for forty years. Moses didn’t think he was enough.
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” – Exodus 4:1, New International Version
God gave Moses an antidote to inadequacy: His presence. “I will be with you ...” (Exodus 3:12, New International Version).
Presence
When I feel the way Moses did, it helps me to have another person around. I feel less lonely, more hopeful and more courageous. But the best human company pales in comparison to the presence of God. Our Creator wants to commune intimately with us. His presence brings peace, power, purpose and more.
The presence of God can get us through anything. The One who knows us the best and loves us the most meets us at every point of need. Moses needed God’s presence, and so do leaders of any kind.
Can’t Live Without It
The presence of the Lord must have grown increasingly precious to Moses. Just a few weeks later, during a growing crisis on Mt. Sinai, he said to the Lord, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now!” (Exodus 33:15, The Message).
Whether you are a spiritual leader, a CEO, a shepherd, or just an ordinary person facing the normal challenges of life, aren’t you glad that our Lord and Savior abides with us? There is nothing like His presence.
Next: These Old Testament stories aren’t just entertaining. They are instructive and predictive. See a powerful example of this in our next devotional.
Questions:
- In what areas of life do you, like Moses, feel inadequate?
- In what ways have you experienced the presence of the Lord in your life? Is that difficult for you? Why or why not?
- What aids us in experiencing the presence of the Lord? What inhibits us from experiencing the presence of the Lord?
- Some have suggested that there are many different ways to experience the Lord. How do you best experience His presence?
Going Deeper:
- Read Psalm 16
- Read Be A Mirror (Great perspective when you feel inadequate)
- Read God's Inspirational Presence
