“Resistance comes from our belief that we know the situation better than God does. We’re happy to have God take care of situations for us. We just don’t want to be His primary instrument. Why? Because we think we know better than He what’s required for the job. . . . a calculated resistance against God’s clearly stated will.”- Charles Swindoll
Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you, they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ ‘Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”- Exodus 3:13-14 (NLT)
As Charles Swindoll moves on in Chapter 1 of What If . . . God Has Other Plans? he observes that our initial response is calculated resistance when God chooses us to do something great. Therefore, we push back against His plan. In addition, we question our readiness and qualifications. As a result, Pastor Swindoll presnts four common excuse Moses used to resist God’s clear call. The first excuse is covered today.
1. I don’t have all the answers. Our human nature, Pastor Swindoll notes, attempts to convince us we need all the answers before we opt to buy into God’s plan for us. Because we consider ourselves the most important factor in the equation. Hence, the author points out, when you remain important to you, you fear:
- losing face
- hurting your reputation
- what other people choose to say or think
Furthermore, like Moses, we need to understand that God’s call has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God. Thus, the only answer Moses really needed? God Himself! Dr. Ron Allen, a Hebrew scholar and professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, describes an important insight in regard to Exodus 3:13-14. Cr. Allen states that when ancient Hebrews represented someone before others, they said, “I will speak your name.”
Finally, Pastor Swindoll adds:
“When God chooses you to do something great, your response should not be about you (‘I can’t’) but rather about God (‘I AM’). Such an approach provides courage and confidence like nothing else.”
Today’s question: Under what conditions do you offer calculated resistance to God’s clearly stated will? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “So caught up in our excuses”
