You Don’t Need All The Details

Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.” Jethro said, “Go, and I wish you well.

Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭18

It’s been an interesting couple of days examining Moses’ encounter, his response, God’s mandate and provision. Similarly, God’s encounters with us today follow this same progression. He reveals himself through encounters, and as we open up to Him, He begins to reveal deeper things to us and brings us to the place of revelation and commission. Of course, there is always a tendency to be afraid, but God has made provision for this in many ways, such as through his promise of comfort and guidance.

However, there are certain details that God will not disclose in order to protect us. This is where faith comes in: saying yes to God even when we have no idea what we are getting ourselves into. When the fire faded from the burning bush and the voice of God fell silent across the desert, it was upon Moses to obey and do what he was told. He could have had this spectacular burning bush experience and then go on to live as if nothing really happened.

Let’s ask some pertinent questions with the benefit of hindsight. Did Moses have any clue what he was getting into when he agreed to answer the LORD’s call? Could he foresee the Egyptian army closing in, and God parting the Red Sea through his hand? Could he envision the song of victory, the water gushing from the rock, the manna raining from heaven, the battles won through prayer? Could he picture the blinding vision of God on Mount Sinai, the thunderous voice of God from heaven, the tablets of stone, the wretched golden calf? Could he imagine the tabernacle built, and the priests being consecrated? Could he imagine the spies sent forth into Canaan, the response of unbelief, and a thirty-eight-year sentence to wander the wilderness? Could he foresee a lonely climb to the top of Mount Pisgah, where he would breathe his last overlooking promised land? Could he dream of the honour of sitting beside the LORD on the Mount of Transfiguration? Did Moses have any idea what he was getting into?

God was pioneering a civilization with Moses. The details of how this will happen can cause anyone to cower in fear and refuse the calling, no matter the number of burning bush encounters. This is why God preserves some details, not from us, but for us. We just have to trust Him enough to go and trust Him to help us deal with whatever happens along the way. 

What has the Lord called you to do? Have you been hesitating in fear and disguising it as ‘asking God for details?’ Rise up in faith now, move at the impulse of trust and watch God unveil mighty things as you go along. 

PRAYER