Exodus 3 & 4: Moses and the Burning Bush (Covered in cell on 31 Jan, together with The Israelites Grumble Part 1 and Part 2)
What was Moses' reaction to God's task for him?
a) The first things he uttered were all questions! - "Who am I that I should... bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Ex 3:11) - How do I respond to the Israelites' questions? (Ex 3:13) - What if they don't believe me or listen to me? (Ex 4:1)
b) Even after God answered his questions and showed him miracles, Moses tried telling God that He must have made a mistake in choosing him. - "O Lord, I have never been eloquent; I am slow of speech and tongue." (Ex 4:10) - "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Ex 4:13)
Moses was certainly overwhelmed and fearful about what God was asking him to do. He was full of "but"s, "what if"s, and "why me?"s - and all this after God had shown him the burning bush, gave him specific instructions, assured him, and even performed miracles through him.
Does it amaze you how Moses could be so doubtful even after God had revealed himself so visibly? Well, consider this: Moses was someone running away from a Pharoah who wanted him dead. He had killed a man. His own Hebrew people didn't welcome him. He knew very well that speaking to large crowds of people was not one of his strengths. When he looked at himself, of course he didn't see a leader of God's people!
Moses probably never dreamt that he would one day be a leader who God specially spoke out in defence of (Num 12), who regularly got to speak with God face to face, or that he'd have the great honour of being a prophet who did "awesome deeds" that no one else ever matched up to (Deut 34:10-12). What a difference from the doubtful Moses we see in Exodus 3!
Like Moses, many of us look at ourselves and think "God can't possibly use someone as weak or small or inadequate as me to do something so big..." Even the prophet Jeremiah thought the same thing! (See Jer 1:4-8) But God chooses the foolish & weak things of this world to shame the wise & strong (1 Cor 1:26-31), and it's our weaknesses that allow Christ's power to rest all the more greatly on us, making us strong (2 Cor 12:9-10). So while it's natural to have fears when God gives us a new challenge, know that God promises to provide as long as we walk with Him.
1 Samuel 16:7 - "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
God doesn't need you to say "I am able". What He's looking for is someone who can say "I am willing".