Part 4: When It Seems Too Late For A Comeback
COMEBACK: RISING ABOVE SETBACKS
PART - 4
“One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.”
Exodus 3:1-2 (NLT)
What is your burning bush?
“When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ ‘Here I am!’ Moses replied. ‘Do not come any closer,’ the Lord warned. ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.’”
Exodus 3:4-5 (NLT)
FOUR QUESTIONS WHEN GOD TURNS A SETBACK INTO A COMEBACK
1. WHO AM I?
“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ God answered, ‘I will be with you...’”
Exodus 3:11-12a (NLT)
God’s answer: I will be with you.
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.”
2 Corinthians 3:5 (NASB)
2. WHO ARE YOU?
“But Moses protested, ‘If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” they will ask me, “What is His name?” Then what should I tell them?’ God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:13-14 (NLT)
God’s answer: I AM.
3. WHAT ABOUT THEM?
“But Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, “The Lord never appeared to you?” Then the Lord asked him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A shepherd’s staff,’ Moses replied.”
Exodus 4:1-2 (NLT)
God’s answer: What’s in your hand?
“‘Throw it down on the ground,’ the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Then the Lord told him, ‘Reach out and grab its tail.’ So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand.”
Exodus 4:3-4 (NLT)
4. WHAT ABOUT MY DOUBTS?
“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though You have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’ Then the Lord asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?’”
Exodus 4:10-11 (NLT)
God’s answer: I’m in control.
“He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going.”
Hebrews 11:27 (MSG)
“‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart...’”
Joel 2:12a (NIV)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO:
Do this week’s YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “The Comeback: It’s Not Too Late and You're Never Too Far” (7-day plan).
Check out this week’s blog or podcast: “Is it Ever Too Late for a Comeback?”
Return to God with all my heart.
Get more information about our next Baptism Day on September 26th.
Comeback Sunday - August 15th:
Attend in person or online.
Give financially - any amount.
Serve - somewhere Sunday or at “For Midland Week”.
Invite someone to attend in person or online.