Moses: An Ordinary Man Empowered by God

LifeGate AG
May 5
5 min read

Moses is one of the most revered figures in the Bible—not because he was perfect or naturally gifted, but because he was a willing vessel through which God did mighty things. He was a man just like us, with fears, failures, insecurities, and flaws. Yet, he was used by God to confront Pharaoh, part the Red Sea, lead a nation through the wilderness, and receive the Ten Commandments. His life reminds us that what God calls us to do, whether big or small, He also equips us to do.

Moses the Mighty Man of God

Moses’ story begins during a dark time for the Israelites. Pharaoh, fearful of their growing population, issued a decree that every Hebrew baby boy be killed at birth. Moses' mother hid him for three months and then placed him in a basket, setting it afloat on the Nile River. By divine providence, Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the basket and decided to raise Moses as her own. He grew up with privilege, education, and access to the palace - an unlikely beginning for a future deliverer of slaves.

Though raised in Pharaoh’s house, Moses never forgot his Hebrew roots. God would later call him not as an Egyptian prince, but as a Hebrew shepherd, to lead His people out of bondage. The great deliverance that Moses led wasn’t born out of personal greatness - it was birthed through divine power. Likewise, when God calls us to a task - whether it’s raising a family, leading a ministry, forgiving someone, or stepping into an unknown future - we can walk in obedience knowing that we do not go alone. God equipped Moses - and He will equip you.

Raised in Pharaoh’s House, Left to Wander in the Wilderness

Before Moses became the great leader of Israel, he experienced failure. One day, after witnessing the harsh treatment of his fellow Hebrews, Moses took matters into his own hands. In a moment of anger, he killed an Egyptian and tried to cover it up. His intentions may have been noble - defending the oppressed - but his method was not. Instead of trusting God’s timing, Moses acted impulsively.

This moment represents a turning point. When Pharaoh found out, Moses fled to the desert of Midian. He went from a palace to a pasture, from royalty to obscurity, from a prince to a shepherd. His attempt to deliver God’s people in his own strength failed miserably. Like many of us, Moses had the right concern - but the wrong response. Sometimes we too try to do something for God in our own power. We see injustice, pain, or spiritual need and think, “I have to fix this now.” But if our actions are not aligned with God’s timing and leading, we risk causing more harm than good. Moses’ anger wasn’t wrong in itself, but he didn’t wait for God to guide him to the correct action.

Yet even in failure, God was not finished with Moses. The wilderness wasn’t punishment—it was preparation. For 40 years, Moses tended sheep in the desert, learning humility, patience, and dependence. The very desert that seemed like the end of Moses’ story was God’s training ground for the next season. In that time of obscurity, God was shaping Moses for his true calling.

Lessons from Moses

We can learn a lot from Moses. God used this man, despite the fact that he was a murderer with a temper problem who often questioned God’s call on his life and allowed his physical limitations to scare him away from doing what God asked him to.

Humility

When Moses left Egypt, he left behind not only his title but his pride. In the wilderness, he became a shepherd - a lowly occupation, especially for someone raised in a palace. It was there that he learned humility. God often uses seasons of solitude and simplicity to humble us before He elevates us. Before Moses could lead people, he had to learn to serve in silence. We, too, must walk in humility to be used by God. Pride will always get in the way of our ministry! Humility keeps us teachable, obedient, and grounded in God’s strength, not our own.

Dependence

When God finally appeared to Moses in the burning bush and called him to go back to Egypt, Moses was full of doubt: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Exodus 3:11). He felt unqualified, unsure, and afraid. But God didn’t boost his self-esteem - He simply said, “I will be with you.” Moses had to learn that it wasn’t about his ability, but God’s presence. He would need to depend on God for every word, every miracle, every battle. And so do we. Whether your weakness is fear, anger, lack of eloquence, or past mistakes, God doesn’t expect perfection—He wants your dependence.

Spiritual Confidence

As Moses walked in obedience, he saw God move in powerful ways - the plagues that saved the Israelites, the parted waters that they walked through to safety, and provision in the wilderness. Over time, he grew in spiritual confidence - not in himself, but in God’s faithfulness. We are called to walk in that same confidence. Spiritual confidence means showing up in obedience, trusting that God will do what only He can do. Our job is to obey God and allow Him to move. The outcome is in God’s hands. He never asked Moses to split the Red Sea - just to stretch out his staff and watch what God would do.

Accountability

Even after decades of leading faithfully, Moses made a critical mistake. In frustration, he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, as God had commanded (Numbers 20). His disobedience cost him entry into the Promised Land. This moment reminds us that leaders, no matter how seasoned, are still accountable to God. Actions have consequences. Emotions must be surrendered. We are not above correction. Moses’ story teaches us to keep our hearts in check, to guard our temper, and to submit every decision to God. Accountability isn’t about guilt - it’s about growth. God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), and in doing so, He shapes us for eternity, not just earthly results.

Some Questions to Consider

Moses’ life poses some important questions for us today:

What is God calling you to say? Moses initially protested, “I’m not eloquent.” But God promised to give him the words. Don’t let fear of speaking or failure stop you from saying what God puts on your heart.
Where is God calling you to go? God called Moses to the task of bringing the Israeltites out of bondage. He calls all of us to work alongside of Him in advancing His kingdom. How is he calling you to get involved?
What excuses are you giving to the Lord? Moses gave several: “Who am I?”, “What if they don’t believe me?”, “I can’t speak well.” And still, God used him. Your excuses don’t disqualify you. But your obedience is what matters. What excuses have you been using?
What promises has the Lord made in His word to those that love Him and want to obey Him? Search the Scriptures and see what He has promised for you and I!