Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Exodus 4:10 NIV
Trusting God despite feeling unqualified stands as one of the greatest lessons from Moses’ encounter with God. In Exodus 4:10, Moses told the Lord he lacked eloquence and felt slow in speech. However, Moses focused on his weakness instead of God’s authority. Meanwhile, God responded by reminding Moses that He created the human mouth. Therefore, God promised to help Moses speak and teach him what to say.
Moses’ hesitation revealed his focus on personal limitation rather than divine ability. Yet God answered with a powerful reminder of His sovereignty. In Exodus 4:11–12, God asked who made the mouth and human abilities. Moreover, God declared His authority over speech, sight, and every capacity. This response showed that God fully understood Moses’ weakness before calling him. Therefore, Moses could move forward with confidence in God’s help.
God’s words also reminded Moses of an earlier promise. Previously, God assured him by saying, I will be with you. This truth confirmed that God’s calling depends on His presence. In fact, God’s call never depends on human qualifications. Instead, His presence empowers the person He sends. Although Moses saw himself as unqualified, God had already chosen him. Consequently, God’s choice rested on His sovereignty rather than human competence.
Furthermore, this encounter revealed God’s pattern of using empty vessels. God seeks people He can fill for His purpose. As a result, all glory belongs to Him alone. Moses needed to understand that his mission would centre on God. Likewise, the words he would speak would come from God’s enablement. Therefore, divine enablement would equip him to fulfil the assignment successfully.
This passage also provides a personal spiritual lesson. God does not look for experts but for willing vessels. Instead, He calls people by His grace and mercy. Because of this, trusting God despite feeling unqualified becomes essential for obedience. God’s enablement provides the ability to accomplish His work. Ultimately, His presence and power make His calling effective. Therefore, success in God’s work never depends on natural ability.
Living It Out
When God calls you, choose to trust God despite feeling unqualified. Therefore, depend on His strength, not your ability. Offer yourself as a willing vessel and trust His enablement daily.