These articles are written to encourage Christians, and to be used by churches for their weekly bulletin.
All I ask is that credit is given with my name and the web address, bible101.substack.com
Questioning our own abilities is a natural response in the face of difficulty, one that we’ve all probably done at some point in time. Questioning whether we can handle the consequences of tough decisions is also a common human calculation.
Thankfully, the Bible shows us first that we aren’t alone in those misgivings, and second, that hesitancy is not disqualifying in God’s eyes—so long as we overcome it.
Moses may be the most famous case. When called to confront Pharaoh and free the Israelites in Exodus 3-4, he had nothing but questions and excuses. Barak was another, who insisted Deborah accompany him to the battlefield (Judges 4). Gideon notoriously asked God for sign after sign to prove that he would not be left alone in his quest (Judges 6). King Saul took it even further, hiding in his tent while Goliath mocked and defied Israel and their God (1 Samuel 17).
Though God was angry with Moses, and Barak was told his victory would go to the hands of a woman, none of these men were rejected on the spot for their small faith. God bore with them. Rest assured that He will bear with us, too. We want stronger faith, to be sure. But in those moments we are called to obey and we hesitate in fear or doubt, know that God will patiently give us some time to come around.
Of the examples listed, only Saul failed to eventually step up. Though Moses was given Aaron to help him at first, he grew more and more bold with each step of the journey. Barak rode into battle and was listed as a man of faith for it in Hebrews 11:32. Gideon went and defeated the Midianites by God’s hand.
There may be a command or conviction staring you down right now, one that feels like it would be costly to obey. There is no doubt that subjection to Christ can often bring consequences in the short term. But our job is not to manage consequences. It is to be faithful. As the men we examined each learned, God handles the consequences just fine. All that’s left to us is to submit, even when we’re hesitant. God will handle the rest.