Who am I?

When God called Moses by name out of the burning bush, Moses answered “Here I am!” But when God told Moses He was sending him to Pharaoh, Moses said, “Who am I?” I love the honesty of Moses. Because you and I can relate to it, right? We have each had a “Who am I” moment when confronted with something we believe God is calling us to do. I ask that question of myself often, and am comforted by the fact the Paul, the mighty apostle, asked the same thing. He said, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” We are sent to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of God. Then Paul asks, “Who is sufficient for these things?” What’s the answer? Christ is! It is Jesus who leads us in triumphal procession as His sent ones. Yet we often say like Moses, “Who I am?” 

The good news is that Moses was asking GOD that question. Listen, dear reader. If you have a “Who am I” moment, have it with God. He will answer and has answered that question clearly in His word. I believe what we see in Moses’ story is true for every believer. We are called first to faith (salvation) and second to service. We work out our salvation with fear and trembling because as Paul said, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” 

It is God who works in you, not you who work for God. Notice that God didn’t say in response to Moses’ concern, “Oh no, no, you can do this, Moses. You were born a Hebrew and you clearly love your people. And you were raised in Pharaoh’s house and have clearly learned how to be a prince of Egypt and speak truth to power. You are the perfect man for this. Not feeling it? Here, Moses, read this book I found at the bookstore on how to imagine yourself into a way of feeling powerful. ‘Cause it is in you, man!” 

No. God said, essentially, “You are dead right, Moses. You cannot do this. And good news, you’re not doing this. I am.” God said, “I will be with you.” You are being sent but I am going with you. And it is I who work in you both to will and to do. We can start every day that way because God does not change, so we say with confidence, “God is with me.” The call of service to God is always accompanied by the promise of God’s presence. One of my favorites is where God said to Isaiah (and you and me), “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

“Moses,” God said, “I will be with you.” And then he gave Moses a sign! “When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Think about that one. Moses may have thought, “Hey, wait a minute. Whoa. God, are you saying I will know I can do this when all the people of Israel are here, free, serving you on this mountain?” “Right.” “But, but, that’s not a sign is it? I mean, that’s a sign I won’t see until…” Shhh, yes, Moses. What I am telling you to do is to believe My word. To trust. Me. 

Moses was still not convinced so he said, “What if they ask me the name of the God who sent me, what do I say?” Moses went from “Whom am I?” to “Who are you?” He was still trying to deal with his own fears of inadequacy instead of trusting in God’s all powerful sufficiency. 

Now, not to be too hard on Moses, we all struggle with the same questions at times. But here’s the positive side of what Moses was doing. In his trembling before God, he was working out his salvation, not working it in or working for it, but working it out. He was wanting to know the God of the universe. Who are you, God? It is the most important question we can possibly ask. And God delights in answering that question. Our God has made Himself known to us. 

Who are you? God. My King and my Lord. Who am I? I am yours.