This seems an incredible thing to say to Almighty God, Creator of the Universe.
Though how often do we perhaps say 'No' to God? It is a sad thing that many of us do not clearly hear the voice of God and spend time debating, was it of God, was it my own thoughts or even was it the voice of the enemy? Out of fear of getting it wrong we do nothing, thus in reality saying No to Almighty God.
Whereas perhaps Moses had an excuse, in not knowing much about this God that spoke from a burning bush, we do not. Moses only had the basic upbringing of his godly parents and remember, the Law had not yet been given. But God has revealed Himself clearly to us through Jesus. We also have the blessed Holy Spirit and all the Scriptures necessary for knowing Him intimately.
The responsibility is ours to want to have that close intimate relationship with Him, for which He is longing. We were created for His pleasure. Again it is our responsibility to spend the time getting to know His voice and to respond to what He says. Jesus said, 'His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.' John 10 v 4
The biographies of men like Charles Finney, Rees Howells and many others are exciting testimonies which not only describe their exploits but also the stages of their learning to recognise the voice of God and so walk according to their instructions. These men counted the cost and gave their all.
If Almighty God, our loving Heavenly Father, asked us to do something, do we dare say No? Do we discuss and debate the Word with others? Or do we let it go unsure of who spoke it?
It would be a brave man, some might think otherwise, who having developed this level of intimacy with the Father, would dare to say No to an assignment. Michael Howard from Malawi though is just such a man!
Having been trained by the Lord and worked closely with Him over many years in war-torn Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Mozambique and Rwanda, the Lord asked him to go to war-torn Sudan.
Michael, having spearheaded crusades and seen revivals in many African nations, was sitting quietly in his office in Malawi musing on the goodness of the Lord when he clearly heard, 'I want you to go to the south of Sudan'.
Without stopping to think who he was talking to he said, 'Forget it. I'm too busy here'. Then, when the Lord reiterated his request, Michael like Moses, launched another feeble excuse by saying, 'It's another war zone and I'm tired of war zones. Find someone else'.
However, if you are truly in an intimate relationship, then you know you don't have a leg to stand on. Needless to say Michael moved to the Sudan!
The Lord may not be asking such dramatic things of us, but have we truly set our hearts to know Him, to follow Him and so to obey Him? Anything less will leave us empty and frustrated busily filling the time with our own agenda.
