After Joseph, his brothers and all that generation had died, the new king of Egypt was not sympathetic toward the Israelites. He made them slaves and treated them harshly. Years later, after Moses had fled for safety from Egypt, God spoke to him from a burning bush and told him that he would be the one to deliver the Israelites out of bondage. That was an overwhelming request to appear before Pharaoh and bring God’s people out of Egypt. “Moses answered, ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, The Lord did not appear to you?’” (Exod. 4:1 NIV1984). Moses did not think he had anything in his power to make this task happen.
Despite Moses’ protest, God simply asked, “What is that in your hand? “‘A staff,’ he replied” (Exod.4:2). God told him to throw it on the ground, and when he did, it turned into a snake. When he picked it back up, it became a staff again. God then told Moses to put his hand inside his cloak, and when he did, it came out leprous, like snow. If Pharoah wouldn’t believe, the miracles God used Moses to perform would make a believer out of him.
Moses was still hesitant. “…O Lord, I have never been eloquent… I am slow of speech and tongue… Lord, please send someone else to do it” (Exod. 4:10,13 NIV). God was not happy with Moses but allowed Aaron to speak on his behalf.
God never calls someone to do something that He doesn’t provide the tools needed to get the job done. Later, Moses’ obedience led these words to be written about him: “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face… For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel” (Exod. 34:10-12).
The question for each of us is, “What is in your hand?” None of us are alike; we all have different gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:1-11). We are expected to use our gifts to further the work of the Lord.
Whatis in your hand? Are you gifted to teach? Do you respond quickly when someone is in need? Are you an organizer? Or are you an encourager, a willing helper? Can you give sound biblical advice? Are you a peacemaker, dependable, strong in faith? There are so many ways a Christian can serve the Lord using their own talents and gifts, but they must do so.
Over the years, I have used several things in my hand but not all of them fit me adeptly. I am not an organizer or a planner. Although I have taught classes in different areas, that is not my greatest calling. I am a “behind the scenes” type of person who doesn’t do well in front. However, I have a pen in my hand and get immense joy from using it. For 10 years or more, I was blessed to write Junior High Sunday School literature. I was honored to write a study book for our Women’s National Auxiliary and to become editor of FOCUS, our national ladies’ magazine. Writing children’s plays and seeing them performed was my delight. Now, I have the privilege of writing this column for the Baptist Trumpet. I am blessed and thankful to God for counting me worthy to use my pen for His service.
Whatever you have in your hand, use it with all your heart for God’s honor and glory. You will be blessed for doing so.
