The wilderness of Breaking & The wilderness of Making

“God Breaks What He Plans to Use” - A lesson from the Life of Moses

'And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.'Acts 7:22

The Bible says – Moses was a learned man and was mighty in words and deeds – But in the Egyptian ways. Moses grew up as the son of Pharoh’s daughter. We also see he grew up as an angry man with a sense of right and wrong that was shaped in the palace of Pharoh. This anger led him to kill an Egyptian (Exodus 2:12). He was impulsive and did what he felt right in his heart. We also see this when he fights with the shepherds for Reuel’s daughters (Exodus 2:17).

When a person is impulsive with a sense of right and wrong brought forward by their upbringing, they may not be very useful for God. They don’t completely depend on God but on their worldly wisdom, might, power or connections. God had to break this bond with the worldly to establish the bond with the Godly.

Moses runs away fearing pharaoh when he is 40 years old. His first encounter with the Lord in the burning bush happened 40 years later (Acts 7: 23 & 30).

What happened to Moses in the 40 years in Midian?

The wilderness of Breaking!

He marries Jethro’s daughter and has kids. He makes a living tending to the flock of Jethro. He also says in Exodus 4:10  “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

This is the same Moses who in his 40 years in Egypt had become mighty in words and deeds. God had broken him in Midian in 40 years. He did not believe in himself or his wisdom and knowledge he had acquired anymore. God was willing to fill this void.

We also see this in the lives of David and Joseph – They are broken, before being raised and built for the Glory of the Lord.

Dear child of God, if today as you read this blog you have lost all hope. You believe there is no tomorrow. You have given up trying. Listen to the still voice of the Almighty God like Moses did. Surrender to His will without any doubt. The broken vessel that is you is all he seeks. He will make you new.

As exodus progresses in the Bible, we see moses now accepted as a leader and God doing mighty deeds through him. But he has to go through a second Wilderness.

The Wilderness of Making:

This wilderness is where God takes centre stage only after you submit to his perfect will.  Moses, led the Israelites through the red sea, destroying the enemy in the process. The enemy who held him and his people back. The enemy who showed no mercy. The enemy who sucked out their hard work. God is willing to do this in the life of those who heed his call and submit to His perfect will.

In the wilderness God teaches to Worship, to repent, to give thanks through the different sacrifices. He teaches how their life should be. The minutest details are taught by the almighty God. What a glorious moment – to be taught by the maker of the world and everything in it. In this wilderness God also promises a glorious future in a land flowing with milk and honey. He teaches how even when nothing is there, he can rain food in the form of Manna, he can bring meat to fall at their feet without them having to do anything.

It is in this wilderness that God teaches them to fight their battles, not as scared slaves, but mighty warriors. In this wilderness he teaches them how to always trust Him and shows how much He loves them.

Moses walks 40 years leading the Israelites with God in front. And this time God gives a testimony about him - 'My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house.' (Numbers 12:7)

In this wilderness God constantly interacts with Moses, defending him against people who question his authority, showing everyone that Moses is chosen by God Himself. The hesitant moses in front of the burning bush is now a mighty intercessor for his people – the mark of a Leader.  What a transformation?

Rest assured if God could transform Moses, we for who God sent His only Begotten Son – Jesus, to die on the cross for us can be very certain of Him transforming us to something glorious. He is asking for a submissive heart for Him to start his work in you. Can you leave Egypt, can you leave Midian – because He wants to take you to Canaan.

Will you submit to His perfect will today?

If you are willing. Kneel and look up to Him and say, “I submit Lord, to your perfect will.” He will take charge of you and make you into something glorious.

Praise the Lord.

Glory to Jesus.