BIG PLANS, BROKEN DREAMS, BRUISED SPIRIT
Psalm 119:67,71 “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I may learn your decrees”.
Exodus 2:11-25.
Moses had Big Plans – v11-14a. A heart to rescue his people. The vision and burden came from the Lord. Planted in our hearts its hard not to do something. This leads to spiritual opposition, when that comes our natural inclination is to run from the call. Jer 1:17-19,12:5.
This led to Broken Dreams – v14b-20. Moses ran to Midian, a place of learning but not of purpose. He learnt to accept the place where he was at and learnt to be content there.
Apparent rejection leads to a Bruised Spirit – v21-25,3:11. A bruised spirit hinders our perception. Moses named his son “Gershom”, meaning, an alien or stranger there. Resigned to defeat, that’s why when God renewed his call he had so many questions.
PRINCIPLES ON FAILURE
Ps. 119:67,71.
1. EXPERIENCING FAILURE PROMOTES AN OBEDIENT LIFE.
God wants to humble us so that we might experience exaltation. 1 Peter 5:5b,6.
2. EXPERIENCING FAILURE PROMPTS A TEACHABLE SPIRIT.
Experiencing failure brings a sensitivity to divine instruction that would probably not exist in the presence of success. Brokenness tends to strip away the barrier to teachability, which is PRIDE.
LESSONS FROM FAILURE
Ex. 2:11-15.
1. SPIRITUAL ENDS ARE NOT ACHIEVED BY CARNAL MEANS.
Moses acted on his own when he killed the Egyptian. Self leads to bondage. Spirit leads to deliverance.
2. TIMING IS AS IMPORTANT AS ACTION.
Moses pushed his way into position; promotion comes from the Lord.
3. HIDING THE WRONG DOES NOT ERASE IT.
As Adam and Eve tried to hide their sin so did Moses. Concealing sin only delays its discovery. Repent and go on.
4. SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IS GOD APPOINTED AND NOT SELF – ASSUMED.
Moses had been raised to be a King. There is only one King, Jesus. Moses had to learn to be ruled over instead of ruling.
a. The unacceptable way to lead is by power.
b. The acceptable way to lead is by persuasion.
c. The superior way to lead is by permission.
CHANGES AFTER FAILURE
Ex. 2:16-25.
1. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SERVANT’S ATTITUDE.
Moses received the education of a:
a. Shepherd – gathering, guarding and guiding.
b. Servant – serve instead of being served.
c. Stranger – as a foreigner, wanderer and a stranger he lived in tents instead of palaces, he sat by wells instead of thrones, and learnt to cope with being alone, afraid and away.
2. THE WILLINGNESS TO BE OBSCURE.
Moses learnt to live away from the limelight in the shadows of obscurity.
3. THE ABILITY TO REST AND RELY ON GOD.
V23-25. Moses probably had heard the plight of his people, instead of trying to rescue them again he had begun to rest and rely on God.
CONCLUSION
How about you does it seem like you have stalled in your spiritual journey?
S What am I stuck on?
T Have I tried again?
A What is my attitude?
L What can I live with? What is God calling you to let go of? Palaces, thrones, self-reliance or security.
L What have I learnt? In the desert school.
FOR A BRUISED SPIRIT
1. Get a fresh glimpse of God. Ex 3:1-4.
2. Turn to God in trouble – don’t run to Midian. Ex 5:20 – 6:8
3. Realize we are totally dependent on God. Ex 6:1-8.
Pro 24:16. “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,”
