Good morning, and happy Sunday.

One month in and we are already in the book of Exodus in our journey of reading the Bible from cover to cover.

The beginning of Exodus is a stark contrast to how Genesis ends. Whereas in Genesis when Joseph and the Israelites prospered under the favor of the Pharaoh at the time, many years go by, and the Israelites become targeted as a threat to the nation’s security with the new king of Egypt, who becomes afraid of the growing number of Israelites.

Driven by fear and the utter lack of fear in God, Pharaoh instructs every Hebrew boy to be killed: the kind of malicious act that has been repeated throughout history.

Born out of this dark season is Moses. He was raised at a time when “God heard [the Israelites’] groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exod. 2:24).

Moses was an imperfect man who lacked confidence in himself and his identity along with a track record of taking another man’s life. Yet, God chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt.

Exodus captures the beauty of God’s faithfulness despite our shortcomings.

God never forgot once the promise He made to Abraham, His precious child.

Without further ado, let’s get into the Word.

If anyone crosses your mind as you read, I encourage you to put your faith into action by forwarding this post along, perhaps coupled with a loving word of encouragement. You just may make someone’s day without knowing it.

The Word of God

The 1-2-3 of What I Found Encouraging

1. It’s just not about us

I love it when the Bible reminds me that I am not the center of the universe. How humbling and reassuring is it that He has everything under control?

To set the context for today’s Word, Moses flees Egypt to Midian after taking the life of an Egyptian guard who beat one of his own people, consequently becoming the object of scorn to both Pharaoh and his own people.

Later in Midian, Moses stumbles upon a burning bush that did not burn up (Exod. 3:2).

There, God calls Moses and reveals His plan to redeem His people and lead them to the promised land, “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exod. 3:8).

He lets Moses know that he has been selected to lead the way, and what’s his response?

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exod. 3:11)

Due to his complicated identity of being an Egyptian royal with Hebrew blood, Moses had a hard time finding his place in the world. We also learn that he had speech issues that made him afraid of speaking in front of a crowd— similar to how some said Paul in person was “unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing” (2 Cor. 10:10).

But nothing stopped God from choosing Moses.

From Exodus 3:11 to Exodus 4:14, the two go back and forth with God addressing Moses’ futile attempts to recuse himself. Then finally, God burns with anger and tells Moses, “I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. [Aaron] will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him” (Exod. 4:15-16).

God didn’t have to partner with Moses. But He did, because this whole ordeal was never about Moses the individual but the covenant He made with Abraham centuries ago.

I find this story not only inspiring but also one from the Bible I resonate with the most.

You see, I was a well-liked boy growing up. A class clown of sorts and a role model of a child in the eyes of my parents’ friends. Then, when I moved to the States at the age of 10, my life turned upside down as I was bullied for a number of reasons: chief among them for looking different and for being overweight and shy. The latter didn’t bother me as much, given those traits were a result of stress and social anxiety— things I felt I could control.

However, the main reason— being made fun of for being different— really hurt me, because I knew I could not change the fact that I was born in Korea. I’d cry every day for the first 6 months and prayed to God, who I didn’t know at the time but knew my grandma prayed towards every day for my well-being.

The scars from those days I carried well into my youth. And it was the story of Moses and Matthew 5:5 that God used to comfort me in letting me know that: though I may be meek and have nothing myself to offer, in God’s eyes, I am enough in Christ and capable of serving a purpose in His kingdom.

2. We need not waste time worrying about what others may think

In verse 13, Moses lays up another question to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

This is a valid question, but the source of this question stems from Moses’ fear of people.

God had already introduced who He was to Moses in their initial encounter (Exod. 3:6). Moses is just looking for a way out here. Later on in Exodus 4:1, Moses still doubts God’s credibility and worries about what the doubters may say even after God had already instructed Moses what to say to the tee.

It’s understandable in some sense why Moses was so worried. When he stood up to injustice and defended his fellow Hebrew from an Egyptian guard, other Hebrew men said, “‘Who made you the ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?’ Then Moses was afraid and thought, ‘what I did must have become known” (Exod. 2:14). He knew he had already lost the respect of his own people.

There are a number of verses in the Bible on the topic of the real tension between pleasing God and pleasing men. One such verse is from Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).

Paul leaves no room for misunderstanding here: either you choose to please God or please men. You cannot accomplish both.

Even on a smaller scale, as I shared on Wednesday, one of the fears I had to overcome prior to starting this newsletter was being afraid of what others may think. And though there have been countless encouragements I received along the way, there have also been a few who made the point to share that they do not understand the point of all this or flat out think this is a childish act.

What would’ve happened if Moses decided not to obey God, succumbing to the fear of men in thinking that they won’t listen to him and that he may end up making a fool out of himself again?

Though I do not yet know the fullness of glory God has in plan with the newsletter, I’ve already seen the bits and pieces of His goodness flowing through. What if I never started this despite the calling I had from God to pick up my pen and start writing?

3. We need not worry about the details when God is with us

I find this statement from God fascinating:

“And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’”

So, God tells Moses here that He’s chosen him to lead His people out of Egypt to the promised land. Great!

And God tells Moses that He’ll be with him. Wonderful!

But then, He says Moses will know that He’s the one who sent him when he worships Him after having already brought the people out of Egypt.

There’s a nontrivial gap between the promise of today and the proof in hindsight there I must say.

Over the course of my life, I’ve learned that every call to obedience requires a leap of faith, no matter how small or how big.

In the past week, I experienced such a learning lesson 3 times. Here are two I’d like to share with you:

1. Earlier this week, a person in need asked me and Mary for help. As Mary reached into her pocket, I felt the Spirit nudge me to pray for healing over this man. I feared making him feel uncomfortable but decided to obey and ask anyway. So, I offered him a prayer, which he hesitated initially to eventually then say yes. When I laid my hand, I could feel him tense up like a scared puppy, but as I prayed over him the words of love and redemption, I felt him relax and firmly lean into my hand. He then told us, “Man, that was really wonderful.” I knew not how this man would respond when I asked to pray for him, but by his response afterwards and the joy I felt in my heart to worship God’s goodness, I knew God was with me.

2. On the last day of work for my close colleague, who’s accepted a prestigious job with excellent pay in a new vibrant location in New York, I asked him, “Boy, you must be excited! Tell me how you’re feeling, my man.” To my surprise, he shared he’s been overcome with fear of inadequacy and fear of failure. There, the Spirit nudged me again and asked me to share the unshakeable peace I have that comes from knowing Jesus (John 14:27). Can I get an amen!? After a brief hesitation, I shared my personal testimony of how I came to find Christ in the depths of my despair and how Jesus exchanged my worries with peace that transcends all understanding.

My colleague was silent for what felt like a whole minute. Finally, he broke the thick silence by saying, “You know, I think I’ve been filling this void I have with my career: with the need to climb out of this desperate place I’ve been in by building a successful career that can make me feel meaningful.” By this response and the ensuing openness of the heart to seek the truth, I knew God was with me.

When God says, “Let’s go,” we need not worry about the details. The Bible says He’ll guide us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

“The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in Him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24

God is with you. By the outcome and the fruits borne, you’ll know He’s been with you.

My Encouragement for You

It’s tempting— at least for me— to read these stories from the Bible and think, ‘How silly was Moses to question God when God clearly made Himself known to Him and His desires for him?’

But Lord knows, we all let our fear blind us and bind us all too often.

My beloved, fear has no power over us. It’s you and me who allow it to govern.

We cannot worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alongside something else. Jesus has made it very clear that he’s the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

So, I encourage you to prune and shed all that is holding you back from walking with God. Let no fear nor the past traumas hold you back from the person God designed you to be.

I trust the grand story of Moses is one to be replicated in my life and yours.

With love, Jae

Got any prayer requests or praises? You’re welcome to share them here.

“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)