Have you ever been on a long camping trip? Not necessarily in a tent but even in a camper. Ironically, to get away in the wilderness, you need a lot of stuff. Earlier in our marriage while living in San Angelo, Texas, we were generously gifted a “pop-up” camper by Margie folks. We would haul that little thing around and go camping. I loved this. I’m definitely an outdoors guy, it’s in the solitude of nature where I feel peaceful. The wind in the treetops, the sun warming my face, God’s creation surrounding me like a warm embrace. But as you’re in the middle of nowhere, you need stuff. A pot to boil water for coffee, a spoon and fork to eat with, a pillow, plates and on and on. I think that we would spend more time packing the camper then we would on the actual trip itself. Like the boy scout motto says, “Be Prepared.” And when you go on a journey, you need to be prepared. Well, we’ll see today in Exodus chapter 4 that Moses is about to depart on a very long and very arduous journey. At the behest of God, he will be leaving his home in Midian and heading back to Egypt. God is giving him very specific directions, but more importantly, God is giving him all the tools and lessons he will need to go on this camping trip.
As God spoke to Moses at the burning bush it seems like all Moses heard was Charlie Brown’s teacher. Whaa, whaa, whaa. You see, in the beginning, Moses was a man of great doubt. For all God said and asked, Moses doubted. I am not worthy to serve you (Who am I that I should go? Ex 3:11). What if people question who sent me? (…if they ask me what is His name, what shall I say to them? Ex 3:13b) They will not listen to me, follow me or respect me (but behold, they will not listen to my voice…Ex 4:1) I’m not a good speaker, I don’t speak like a polished politician, that’s what you really need (I am not an eloquent speaker…I am slow of speech and tongue…please send someone else. Ex 4:10b,13) Folks, Moses was a doubting Doug. A hesitant Harry. An apprehensive Alan. In fact, at one point his self-doubt even angered the Lord. (Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses..Ex 4:14a) You see, God made you to do just the specific job that He is calling you to do. If you doubt that you can do the job, you doubt God. God has prepared who He has called. If you doubt yourself, you doubt God. As doubt creeps in, give it to God.
But Moses powers through the doubt and at the insistence and encouragement of God, he answers the call of God. But God in His infinite wisdom knows the journey before Moses and exactly what it will entail. In fact, it’s funny, if Moses knew in this moment what he was in for leading the grumpy, fussy, whiny, idol worshipping Israelites, he surely never would have taken the job! But God prepares Moses for the job. His packing list for the camping trip that will be the Exodus of God’s chosen people? A staff, a servant heart, and a speaker. Of the three, let’s look at the heart.
“ Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. Ex 4:6-7
God had Moses assume the posture of taking an oath. The hand over the heart. Basically, the same posture we are to take when we sing our national anthem. There’s something beautiful about being at a football game and seeing everyone, (except the millionaire football players) with hands over their hearts, singing about the love they have for their nation. But this wasn’t some kind of a pledge that God had Moses making, it was a lesson. A lesson in the power of the heart.
You see, in the day of Moses, leprosy was seen as a sin. It was a corruption of the flesh and seen as unclean. Sin rests in the weakness of the flesh. For Moses to put his hand over his heart and see it come out sinful and leprous, was a powerful lesson for him and an unbelievably powerful lesson for us today. He then placed his hand back over his heart and it came out clean. You see, from the heart can come a fount of goodness, peace and love but from the same heart can flow hatred, sin and evil. Before departing on any journey for God, we need to carefully address and tend to our own hearts.
God has much to say about the subject of our hearts, let’s let Him speak to us on the heart:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Pro 4:23
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Pro 3:3
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Pro 3:1-2
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Eze 36:26
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matt 5:8
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart.” Pro 4:20-21
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12
Folks, God can go on and on about the condition of our hearts in His Holy Word. It's very important to God, that's why it's all throughout the Bible. You see, if you are to embark on a long camping trip for the Lord, the first item on the list of supplies is this…a pure heart that loves the Lord, stores up His Words within it, and loves others as themselves. If you have this heart, you are ready for the trip. Sure, you’ll need other things, but rest assured, a heart that is sold out to Jesus Christ can take on the world.
I pray today that you tend to your heart carefully. Fill it to overflowing with God’s Word, viciously protect it from sin and then let the love of God flow from it into the world.
God bless you and may God bless your heart as your gaze stays transfixed on the face of Jesus.
Comments