Have you ever wondered what your first response would be if God called your name in a vision? Would you reply by saying “Hi Lord!”? Actually, there were many incidences where God appeared to His servants, and the first response they gave was “Here I am”.
When God tested Abraham to offer his son, God said to him “Abraham!” and Abraham’s reply was “Here I am” (Genesis 22:1). When God called Moses out of the burning bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” and he said “Here I am” (Exodus 3:4). When God called Samuel to proclaim judgment on Eli’s House, Samuel’s answer was “Here I am” (I Samuel 3:4). When God appeared to Isiah in His glory and asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Isaiah answered, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). When God asked Ananias to convert Paul, a persecutor of Christians, in a vision, He called him, “Ananias”. He answered, “Here I am, Lord” (Acts 9:10).
"Here I am" is a wonderful response we can give to God showing our readiness and humility to hear from Him and submit to His calling. In this article, we will look into the occasion where God called on one of His servants and the response of the servant was “Here I am”. We will look into the readiness of the servant, the reason why God chose this particular person, and how God prepared him. Lastly, we will look into how the servant responded to the Lord in the beginning, and finally submitted to the Lord’s instruction. This passage is recorded in Exodus 3:4-10
“So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover, He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Exo 3:4-10)
God’s Calling & Purpose
Based on the passage, God’s purpose is to deliver the people out of the bondage of Egypt. God had seen, heard, and known the oppression of His people. Out of His abundant compassion, God wanted to bring His people out of Egypt. In light of this immense task at hand, we should understand that God’s purpose is for the good of His people and that it is out of His love and compassion. This understanding is very important because in answering God’s calling, we could be daunted by the task’s immensity and the difficulties it might cause, and lose sight of God’s purpose and His promise to be with us.
Furthermore, God’s purpose is also for the benefit of His servants. When people work in society, perhaps the pursuit is to make a living and gain wealth. Yet, for some people, wealth is not the sole driving force, because wealth may not generate a sense of fulfillment. What people pursue is the fulfillment of self-worth, knowing what they do is valuable and beneficial. If we think about Moses’ life, had God not called him, he would’ve been a shepherd for the rest of his life. What value and what purpose could his life really bring? But because God called Moses, he became a servant of the most High God. How great of a value and purpose it is working for and serving God?
When God calls us to serve, it is not only about serving others, but also gives value and purpose to our own lives.
Readiness of the Servant
If we continue to read the passage in the bible, we know that Moses at this point of his life was totally unprepared. He had been a shepherd for 40 years. He had lost touch with all the knowledge and skills he learned from Egypt. Yet it was at this point that God felt he was ready.
Moses gave many reasons not to go. All these reasons were focused on himself. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” ――This implies that he didn’t have the knowledge of God (name of God) (Exodus 3:13). He continued to say, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ (Exodus 4:1), and “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10).
Perhaps he recalled all the failures in his previous attempts to save his fellow Hebrew brothers. All of these reasons, however, were focused on himself.
But God gave him many reasons to go, and all these reasons focused on God Himself. God promised him of His abidance. God gave him the signs that He would surely deliver His people and that they would worship God at the mountain in his sight, a sign he would see only after he followed through God’s instructions (Exodus 3:12). God gave him His name, I AM, the knowledge of the divine nature of God. (Exodus 3:14). God gave him the rod of the Lord, the authority of God. (Exodus 4:2). God gave him the ability to perform miracles, the power of God. (Exodus 4:3-9). God also gave him a co-worker, Aaron his brother (Exodus 4:14).
We can certainly think that we are ready to do God’s work by having knowledge and skills, but what drive the Holy work are the knowledge and the power of God. Of all
the things that Moses thought he needed to serve God, God did not ask him to possess in the beginning of the calling. The only thing that God asked of Moses was to take off the sandals of his feet. What God requires of us is holiness, a holy vessel that is fitting of master’s use. God gave all that Moses needed to serve Him. He will also bless us with what we needed to serve Him.
Submitting to the Instruction of the Lord
After much struggles, Moses eventually went and submitted to God’s instruction. Moses’ task was indeed immense, having to face the most powerful ruler in the pharaoh and having to lead millions of Israelites. Those who have the experience leading a field trip, or a group of people even for a small event, could understand how difficult it was for Moses. When we are asked to do Holy work, our initial reaction might be: I’m not good enough, or please ask someone else. But doing holy work is an opportunity to truly learn about God and to rely on God’s power. It is an opportunity to be a part of God’s greater purpose and divine love, an opportunity to realize our self-worth.
Conclusion
One day, God will call us. Might not be through a vision. Might be an invitation for church work. Might be an opportunity to preach. Might be a chance to comfort someone. Might be the movement of the Holy Spirit. When God calls our name. Are we ready to answer “Here I am?”
Comments