Can God Do Anything?

Exodus 3:1-15

INTRODUCTION

Let’s be honest—doubt is a relentless battle we all face. We have talked more than once about doubt regarding our faith overall. We looked at how doubt should drive us closer to God as we seek answers, not further away. But today, let’s look at another type of doubt. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is about what God can do through us. More specifically, the lie we tell ourselves and others is about what God can’t do through us.

Doubts sneak into every corner of our lives, no matter how much we’ve seen God work or how certain we’ve been of His guidance. Whether it’s our careers, finances, relationships, or spiritual journeys, doubt can shake our confidence in ourselves and God. When doubt takes hold, it can seriously interfere with what God wants to accomplish through us.

Take, for example, the decision to accept a new job. You’ve prayed about it, felt a clear nudge from God, and stepped into the role with certainty. You resign from your old position without hesitation and walk through the doors on your first day full of hope. But then challenges hit—unexpected setbacks, difficult coworkers, or a crushing workload. Suddenly, you’re asking, “Did I get this wrong? Was this really God’s will? Can I do this?” What started as unshakable faith dissolves into confusion and self-doubt. You were so sure God was leading, but now you’re not convinced He’s even there.

This isn’t just about jobs; it happens everywhere. We might sense God calling us to give generously in our finances, only to doubt when the bills pile up. In relationships, we feel led to forgive or reconcile, but hesitate when trust feels impossible. Spiritually, we commit to a calling—a mission trip, a ministry, a bold step of faith—but when it fails or stalls, we wonder, “Did I mishear God? Why is this so hard?” We question our abilities, God’s plan, and even His power. “If this was God’s will, shouldn’t it be smoother?” These doubts don’t just nag at us; they can stop us cold, keeping us from moving forward in faith. These doubts can be paralyzing.

Doubt in ourselves and God creates a barrier between us and His purpose. When we doubt our own worth or capabilities—thinking we’re too weak, too flawed, or too inexperienced—we forget that God often calls the unqualified to show His strength. Today, we are going to see that Moses is a prime example. Called to free the Israelites, he doubted himself from the start. Yet God didn’t need Moses to be perfect—He just needed Moses to trust. When we let self-doubt dominate, we refuse to step into the roles God has for us, effectively limiting what He can do.

Doubting God Himself is even more paralyzing. We might believe He’s called us, but when things don’t go as planned, we question His power or presence. “If God’s in this, why isn’t it working?” That’s when our enemy pounces, amplifying our fears: “You don’t have what it takes, and God’s not going to help. Look at this mess—He’s already given up on you.” Satan loves to attack when we’re pursuing God’s will, because that’s when we’re most dangerous to his schemes. If the enemy can convince us that God can’t—or won’t—act, we’ll shrink back from the very things God wants to use to transform us and others.

This isn’t just personal—it affects communities too. Imagine a church sensing God’s call to expand, evangelize, or support a risky mission. But then doubts creep in: “Can we afford this? Will anyone show up? Is God really with us?” Suddenly, the congregation hesitates, unity frays, and the vision stalls. Doubt in God’s ability to provide or work miracles can choke a church’s faith, keeping it from stepping into the extraordinary.

Doubt doesn’t have to be a dead end. We grow when we wrestle with questions like, “Can I do this? Can God do this?” and seek Him for answers. The enemy thrives on our doubts, especially when we’re aligned with God’s will. The enemy will whisper, “You’re not enough, and God’s not big enough.” But that’s a lie. Our weaknesses or our wavering faith don’t limit God’s power—He can do anything (Ephesians 3:20). The real question is whether we’ll trust Him enough to let Him.

Exodus 3:1–15 ESV

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And 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 at God. Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

VERSES 1-3

Moses, once a prince of Egypt, now lives a simple, humble life as a shepherd in Midian. He had fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was abusing a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2). The contrast between his past and present life is stark—once surrounded by luxury, now tending sheep in the wilderness. This drastic shift in circumstances must have left Moses wrestling with feelings of failure, exile, and uncertainty about his future. Yet, God was preparing him for something greater. Leading sheep was just the beginning—soon, he would be shepherding God’s people.

God reveals Himself to Moses through a miraculous sight—a bush that burns but is not consumed. This is a powerful image of God's divine presence: fire, which often symbolizes purification and judgment, does not destroy the bush. The sight captures Moses' attention, prompting him to investigate. Sometimes, God uses extraordinary circumstances to grab our attention.

VERSES 4-9

As Moses approaches, God calls his name twice, a sign of intimacy and urgency. When Moses responds, God instructs him to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. This marks the first time the word holy appears in the Bible, signifying God's presence. God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reminding Moses of His covenant faithfulness. By invoking the patriarchs, God reassures Moses that He has been active and present in Israel’s history. Though God had seemed silent since Genesis 46, He had been watching, listening, and preparing for this moment.

God acknowledges Israel’s suffering under Egyptian oppression. He assures Moses that He has seen their misery, heard their cries, and is now taking action. This verse highlights an essential truth: even when God appears distant, He is never indifferent to His people or their struggles. Now, He is mobilizing a plan of deliverance.

VERSES 10-12

God declares His plan: “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” Moses is no longer just a shepherd; he is now God’s chosen leader. This divine commission is not about Moses' abilities but about God's power working through him.

Moses immediately questions his worthiness: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” This response reveals deep insecurity and self-doubt. He sees himself as a nobody, unworthy of such a monumental task. However, Moses’ real doubt is not about himself—it is about God. Can God really use him? Can God truly accomplish this? Can God do anything?

Notice that God does not build up Moses' self-esteem but instead assures him, “I will be with you.” This is the key to success—not Moses' qualifications but God's presence. Furthermore, God gives Moses a sign: after delivering Israel, they will worship at this very mountain. This promise underscores that God’s plans always lead to worship.

VERSES 13-15

God declares one of the most profound revelations in Scripture: “I AM WHO I AM.” This name signifies God’s self-existence, eternal nature, and unchanging power. He is not bound by time or creation—He is the ultimate authority. When God declares “I AM,” He is saying, “I can.” Through Him, all things are possible. God declares that He can do anything.

Moses' doubts may have been numerous and great, but God's presence and power were greater. Just as Moses was called despite his weaknesses, we too are called to trust in God's ability, not our own. No matter how unqualified we feel, I AM is always enough. God can do anything.

TODAY’S KEY TRUTH

God’s Power is GREATER Than Any of  OUR Deficiencies.

APPLICATION

God calls us to do great things as individuals, as a church, and as a faith. When He calls, we must recognize that whatever He calls us to, He can accomplish. The burning bush from which God spoke to Moses was not consumed because He has power over all creation. This miraculous sign was a reminder that God’s presence is not limited by natural laws—what seems impossible to man is possible with God. When He referenced Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He reminded Moses that He had already done the impossible through them. Abraham and Sarah conceived a child in their old age, Isaac’s life was spared on the altar, and Jacob, despite his flaws, became the father of a great nation. God’s faithfulness in the past was a guarantee of His power in the present.

Moses’ doubts were less about his own abilities and more about God’s power. When we doubt God’s call, we are, in reality, doubting God rather than ourselves. Do we believe God can do anything? Do we believe He can work through us? The disciples, Paul, and Abraham could not have accomplished anything on their own—it was God who worked through them. Their success was not a result of their strength, but of their faith in God’s ability. The same is true for us today—when we rely on God, He equips us for the task He has given us.

Though Moses gave a litany of excuses for why he could not fulfill God’s calling, God answered each one with a confirmation of who He is. He reassured Moses of His power and presence, declaring, “I AM,” which means “I can.” As the Creator, God has control over all creation—there is nothing too difficult for Him. He is eternal and has power over time, space, nature, and everything else. No obstacle is beyond His reach, and no challenge is too great for Him. Moses had to shift his focus from his own inadequacies to God’s sufficiency.

When God calls us, He promises His power and presence. He does not send us out with mere good wishes, saying, "Good luck" or "I hope you can do this." Instead, He assures us, "I am with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." He calls us with full knowledge of our weaknesses and deficiencies. We do not need to rely on our own strength, because His power is made perfect in our weakness. Through Him, we can accomplish more than we ever imagined. He calls us with full knowledge of our weaknesses and deficiencies, and His strength is revealed in them. He declares, "I AM," reminding us that He is all-sufficient. God can do anything.

God’s Power is GREATER Than Any of  OUR Deficiencies.

CONCLUSION

From this scripture, we realize a few essential truths. To undertake God’s call, we must first recognize His holiness. The burning bush symbolized His righteousness, perfection, and holiness. It was not just an ordinary fire but a divine manifestation of God’s presence. When God commanded Moses to remove his sandals, it was a sign of reverence, humility, and submission. This act signified that Moses was stepping into a sacred encounter with the Almighty. It also emphasized that this call was not about Moses’ abilities but his relationship with God. To experience God’s power in our lives, we must approach Him in prayer and worship, focusing on who He is rather than on ourselves. Worship shifts our perspective, reminding us that our strength comes from God alone.

We must also have confidence that no task from God is undertaken alone. No matter where God calls us, what He calls us to do, or how much it may cost to follow His will, we are never alone; He will be there. God does not call us to a mission and then abandon us to figure it out ourselves. He walks with us, equips us, and strengthens us along the way. Even when we feel inadequate, He reminds us that His power is made perfect in our weakness. God always provides the way and the resources for what He calls us to accomplish, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled through those who trust in Him.

God’s Power is GREATER Than Any of  OUR Deficiencies.

We must also believe that God’s power is always greater than our deficiencies. Individuals may doubt their ability to fulfill God’s call, feeling inadequate, unprepared, or unworthy. Families may look at struggling relatives—those battling addiction, broken relationships, or personal failures—and question whether real change is possible. Churches may face financial constraints, dwindling attendance, or internal divisions, and wonder if they have the resources to build, grow, or make a lasting impact. The Christian faith as a whole may feel overwhelmed by cultural opposition, secular influence, or the vastness of the world’s lost souls. In these moments, we may think, "I am not strong enough," "They will never change," or "There is not enough money, people, or time." But God responds, "You are right—you cannot. But I AM, and I CAN!" He can heal the brokenhearted, empower the weak, provide where resources seem scarce, and break down even the strongest barriers. His power is limitless, His grace is sufficient, and His presence is unwavering. No matter our shortcomings, God is always greater.

God’s Power is GREATER Than Any of  OUR Deficiencies.

When we push past doubt, clinging to His promises, we unlock the potential for Him to work wonders in and through us. Our weaknesses don’t limit Him—His strength is made perfect in them. What seems impossible to us is effortless for the One who spoke galaxies into existence. He doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called, turning our insecurities into testimonies of His power.

Can God do anything? Absolutely. There is not one thing God can’t do through you if He’s called you to it. His grace and power are greater than all our sins, failures, and weaknesses. God can do anything.

So, next time doubt hits—about that job, that calling, or that leap of faith—don’t let it stop you. Acknowledge it, bring it to God, and trust that He’s bigger than your fears. Your shortcomings are no match for His sovereignty. He doesn’t see your lack; He sees His limitless grace at work in you. Stand firm in faith, knowing that God’s power rises mightiest where you fall short. He specializes in turning “I can’t” into “He can, " which changes everything. Your doubt may shake you, but it cannot shake Him. God can do anything.

God’s Power is GREATER Than Any of  OUR Deficiencies.