At Mercy Hill Church, we are continuing through our Let My People Go series in the book of Exodus. The powerful story in Exodus parallels the story of the Bible—God raising up a savior to lead a praising people into the promised land. One of the great lessons from Exodus, and the big idea of our sermon this past weekend, is this: The presence of God helps us push through fear and excuses.
When God calls us to something, our minds often become excuse factories: I can’t do this. It won’t work. I don’t have what it takes. But God doesn’t leave us there. For every fear, He reveals more of His character, showing us that His presence is enough. In Exodus 4, Moses presents three excuses to God for why he can’t obey the call. Each one reveals a struggle we still face today. And in each response, God reveals more of Himself.
Excuse #1: “They Won’t Listen.” (Fear of Failure)
Moses’s first objection is about other people: “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice” (Exodus 4:1).
At its core, Moses’s objection is the fear of failure. Moses assumes the problem is with other people—that they won’t have the faith to listen. But underneath that, he’s really doubting God’s ability to convince them. In Moses’s case, and in ours when we are faced with fear, it’s really an affront to God’s character. Fear is an indictment of the power of God.
When we fear failure, we’re really questioning whether God is powerful enough to make things work. But God’s response to Moses is to reveal His power through three miraculous signs:
- A staff turning into a serpent and back again.
- Moses’s hand becoming leprous and then healed.
- Water from the Nile turning to blood.
Each of these signs displays that God is all-powerful: omnipotent. He has power over nature, disease, and even the great Nile River. He doesn’t just send Moses—He goes before him, displaying His authority.
Excuse #2: “I Am Not Enough.” (Fear of Inadequacy)
Moses’s second excuse shifts the focus inward: “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10).
Moses feels inadequate. He believes his limitations disqualify him from God’s calling. Sound familiar? I don’t have the skills. I don’t know the Bible well enough. I don’t have the resources.
God’s response to Moses is direct: “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11). God reminds Moses that He is the Creator. He knows Moses’s weaknesses—and He calls him anyway. If God made you, then He knows exactly what He’s doing when He calls you. The same God who created you calls you.
Two years ago, I had a panic attack while preaching. It came out of nowhere and was so traumatic that it started happening repeatedly. Even two years later, I’m out of the deep end, but I’m definitely not out of the pool completely. In this struggle, I cannot tell you how comforting God’s words in Exodus 4 have been to me. God reminded me repeatedly: Andrew, who do you think made your mouth? I know everything about you, and I’m still moving. That truth carried me through. God doesn’t call us to something He didn’t create us to do.
What is God calling you to step into that you feel unqualified for? By faith, we can all be used by God for His purposes.
Excuse #3: “I Just Don’t Want To.” (Fear of Sacrifice)
Moses’s third excuse reveals the real heart issue: “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). At the end of the day, Moses just doesn’t want to do it. He knows what’s right, but he simply does not want to obey. With Moses’s third excuse, God’s anger is finally kindled. Even so, His response is grace. He provides Aaron to help Moses, just like He provided a fish to save Jonah from his rebellion. Even when we don’t want to obey, God gives us what we need to follow through.
Years ago, my son DB was playing outside and came within an inch of getting bitten by a copperhead. I was absolutely scared to death, but the experience left me thinking: It’s terrifying to let your kids take risks. The temptation is to overprotect them. But giving in to fear would mean raising kids who never take bold steps for God. What I needed in that moment was truth about God and His character: He loves them more than I do. He created them, watches over them, and has a plan for their lives—even if tragedy strikes.
What step of faith are you avoiding because you just don’t want to do it? God isn’t asking you to feel like obeying—He’s asking you to trust Him enough to take the step.
The Gospel: Jesus Pushed Through Every Fear for Us
At the end of the day, what pushes us past fear? It’s not just courage—it’s the gospel.
Moses saw the Nile turn to blood. We have something even greater: the Son of God shed His blood to wash our sins away.
Moses was reminded that God created him. In the gospel, we are re-created, destined for the new heavens and the new earth.
Moses was given a helper for the mission. Jesus gives us the ultimate Helper—the Holy Spirit. We don’t just have a brother like Aaron; we have the Spirit of God living in us.
And here’s the biggest truth: Even Jesus, in His humanity, wrestled with fear. He prayed in Gethsemane: “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
Jesus obeyed the Father—even to the point of death—to accomplish our salvation. The same God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush is the One who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again to give us new life. Because of Jesus, we can trust God’s presence and take courageous steps of faith.
What Step of Faith Is God Calling You To?
Are you afraid? Are you making excuses? Are you waffling on something you know God is calling you to?
- Is it salvation?
- Enrolling in college?
- Taking the leap in your engagement?
- Moving forward with adoption or foster care?
- Leading a small group?
- Starting a Bible study at work?
- Going on a mission trip?
- Fully trusting God with your finances?
Whatever it is, trust God’s presence and take the step. He is powerful enough. He created you for this. And He will go with you.
-Andrew Hopper, Lead Pastor
Watch the full sermon from week three of the “Let My People Go” series below:
