Fasting Devotion 2026: Day 4

Fast Devotional – Day Four

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Title:  Moses Surrenders His Excuses

Text: Exodus 3-4

Written by: Wayne Hale

Thoughts:

At age 80, the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush that wasn’t actually burning up. When Moses approached the bush, God called him by name from the bush. As Moses came closer, God said, "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." God then told Moses He had seen the misery of His people in Egypt, and He was concerned about their suffering and had come down to rescue them. God’s assignment for Moses was to go to Pharaoh to bring His people out of Egypt. After hearing the assignment, Moses made an excuse to get out of it at least five different times. Each time God provided a solution. He promised He would be with him, he told him to tell the Israelites I AM sent me to you, He gave him the power to perform miraculous signs, like turning his staff into a snake then turning it back, He made Moses’ hand turn leprous then returned it to normal, and He turned the Nile river water into blood. God gave Moses the power to perform these miraculous signs so the Israelite people would believe that God appeared to him. In Exodus 4:12, the Lord reminds Moses who He is by saying, “who gave man his mouth, who makes him deaf or mute, who gives him sight or makes him blind, Is it not I the Lord?” Now go. All these excuses made God angry with Moses. God’s final solution was to provide Moses’ brother Aaron to speak to the Israelites for him. God told Moses that all the men in Egypt who previously wanted to kill him were now dead. Eventually, Moses overcame his fear and surrendered his excuses. He returned to Egypt with his wife and sons, and he used God’s power to perform the miraculous signs before Pharaoh. Finally, the Israelite people bowed down and worshipped God when they heard that He was concerned about them and had seen their misery.

What this passage said to me:

1.      Since Moses was 80 when he received his call, never think you will be too old for God to call you into action.

2.      Just as God provided everything Moses needed to accomplish his assignment, He will provide everything you need to accomplish yours.

3.      God will always prepare you and be with you to accomplish your assignment for His Kingdom.

Challenge:

Even though you may not have confidence in yourself to accomplish God’s assignment, you can trust that if you say yes and act in obedience, He will provide everything you need to complete it. When Sarah and I were asked to be Life Group Shepherds, I didn’t have confidence in myself to accept that role, but I did believe the Lord was calling me to take on more responsibility for Him. The first thing He provided was Sarah’s faith in me, and that together we could and should accept this assignment. He also provided mentors, some time to practice, and a supportive group. This assignment has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my relationship with Christ.

Questions to consider:

1.      Has God ever called you to a difficult assignment?

2.      Have you ever made an excuse to avoid God’s assignment?

3.      If yes, what excuse did you use and why?

4.      Did you finally accept the assignment, or is God still waiting on your obedience?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me when I don’t have faith and trust in you to help me complete your assignment for the Kingdom. Help me believe in Proverbs 3:5-6. Thank you for trusting in me to do your work on this earth for the Kingdom.

Just as God provided everything Moses needed to accomplish his assignment, He will provide everything you need to accomplish yours.