Where Are You, God? 30 First Encounters With Godنموونە

Day 5: Moses - The Burning Bush: I Am

Have you ever felt like your best years were behind you? That perhaps God had forgotten about you in some wilderness season of life? Moses knew that feeling intimately.

At 80 years old, Moses was tending sheep in the desert—a far cry from his days as a prince in Egypt's palace. Forty years earlier, he'd tried to rescue his people through his own strength and failed miserably. Now he was just a forgotten shepherd in the middle of nowhere.

Then God Interrupted Everything

"There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush" (Exodus 3:2). Moses noticed something extraordinary—a bush that burned but wasn't consumed. "When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!'" (Exodus 3:4). An ordinary day became extraordinary as Moses encountered God in an unexpected way.

From Palace to Purpose

God often prepares us through wilderness experiences. Those 40 years of obscurity weren't wasted—they prepared Moses for 40 years of leadership. The humility Moses learned tending sheep was essential for leading God's people.

The God Who Sees and Acts

"I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out" (Exodus 3:7). God had heard His people's cries. His timing isn't our timing, but He's never inactive. Divine intervention often comes through ordinary people in ordinary moments.

I AM - The Eternal Present

When Moses asked God's name, He replied: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). God's name reveals His unchanging nature—He is present tense, always available, always active. The same "I AM" who spoke to Moses speaks to us today.

From Excuses to Exodus

Moses offered every excuse to avoid his calling: "Who am I?" "What if they don't believe me?" "I'm not eloquent." Finally, in obedience, he moved from self-reliance to God-dependence. Our weaknesses become opportunities for God's strength. Divine calling often feels impossible, but God's promise, "I will be with you," (Exodus 3:12) is sufficient for any assignment.

Your Burning Bush

What "burning bush" moment might God be offering you? Like Moses, you may feel inadequate for what God is calling you to do. Remember: His power, not your ability, accomplishes His purposes.

The same "I AM" who appeared to Moses in the wilderness is present with you today.