The Life Of Moses: How God Is Always Working in Your Life

Moses’ life is divided into three distinct forty years segments: forty years in Egypt in the household of Pharaoh, forty years in the land of Midian tending sheep and forty years leading the Israelite nation on a journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Canaan.

Whatever phase of life you are in, you can learn much from Moses.

Phase One: Activity

His education

Moses, born an Israelite, was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter as an infant. He lived with all of the perks and privileges of a prince, being instructed “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds” (Acts 7:22).

His calling

Moses came to a realization that God wanted him to free his fellow Israelites from slavery. He seemed to think he was doing God a favor by killing an Egyptian who was abusing his fellow Hebrew, but once Pharaoh learned of the impetuous action, Moses was forced into exile.

How about you?

Are you going through a time of great activity in your life? Do you sometimes meet yourself coming and going? Do you sort of know why you are here on earth but have trouble seeing the realizing that purpose?   It is no wonder; phase one in today’s world is a busy time, including school, marriage, career, and starting a family.

Phase Two: Refining

Tending sheep.

Having escaped from Pharaoh, Moses found himself tending sheep in Midian. God stripped him of his privilege, his wealth and his fame as a prince in Egypt to put him in a desolate place caring for sheep.

His calling . . . again.

After forty years of tending sheep, God once again called Moses to set the Hebrews free. This time, however, Moses was a different person. The impulsiveness of youth had transitioned to a humility and even a healthy reluctance. Moses had learned his lesson: if he was going to be used by God, he was going to have to turn total control over to God.

How about you?

After the years of school, starting a career and getting married, many people experience a dry time in their lives. Why? They have met life’s major challenges and they still have their entire lives in front of them. These are the years Peggy Lee sang about in her classic song, “Is that all there is?” But learn from Moses. Even if you don’t see God doing great and dramatic things in your life, He is nevertheless at work. God did not waste those shepherding years in Moses’ life and He is not wasting your years. Whether you realize it or not, He is refining you. And, as in the life of Moses, he has plans for you.

Phase Three: Fulfilling

The last forty years in Moses’ life are the time that God had been spending eighty years preparing him for. God used him to powerfully lead the nation of Israel from their bondage in Egypt to a new life in Canaan. Earlier in his life, he was too impetuous and immature for the job, but now, after forty years of tending sheep, he was ready and able to shepherd people. Earlier, he was self-dependent; now, he was God dependent. Earlier, the people would not have followed him;  now, they were ready to follow him. Moses finished his life in true greatness because God had patiently molded him and prepared him to fulfill his calling.

Conclusion

Am I saying that God cannot use you until you are old?  Of course not!   He has plans for you at every age level. But in case you ever start to believe that God is through with you or that He feels distant or that you have been too sinful or that you are too old, think again. You are not here on earth by accident.   Whatever your life experiences may be, God will miraculously take them and use them. At the right time in the life of Moses, God used him greatly.

How can He use you?

Photo by wallyg & rimabek