Exodus 4:10 – “Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the words “useful and useless” filled my consciousness.  That may sound strange, but it was the emphasis of the Spirit in my mind.  All we are and do fall into one of those two categories.

I never cease to be amazed and amused by Moses in his wilderness encounter with God.  His humanity was glaringly apparent.  Forty years earlier, he envisioned being Israel’s deliverer.  That plan failed, and for 40 years, he’s been in hiding.

Suddenly, God revealed Himself in an unusual way (that’s just like God).  You would think that the burning but unburnt bush and the voice of God, as well as the signs, would have ended all resistance, but it didn’t.

In Exodus 4, after God details Moses’ assignment, Moses pushes back.  This is the same Moses who was educated and trained in Egypt.  A man powerful with words who said, in Exodus 4:10 – “I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am a stutterer and slow of speech.”

He has seen the miraculous signs, heard the voice of God Himself, and resists.  God was not amused nor impressed.  God said, “Who has made man’s mouth?  Moses, stop this useless nonsense and be useful for a change!  Trust Me!”

Peter’s life was a transition from useless self-focus to useful obedience.  From the trial of Jesus until Pentecost, Peter was far more useless than useful.  After Pentecost, he was consistently and persistently useful.  He lost his FEAR!

Fear robs us.  Fear of death or physical harm is a powerful emotion in humans.  Uncertainty is terrifying to those who have not transitioned into a position and condition of Complete Trust.  Fear of death, loss, religion, and failure are compelling forces in our lives.

To be useful rather than useless, we must SEE JESUS!  See Him in our hearts and surrender all to Him. Remember, God uses what we have (Moses’ staff).  Peter said, “Such as I have, I give.” What we have given to God makes us useful.  Waiting for what we think we need makes us useless.  What will we be?

LORD, help us to be useful, not useless for Your Kingdom!