WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?

“And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand?” - Exodus 4:2

Moses responded to God’s call with excuses.  Just like many people today, Moses could not see how the Lord could ever use a person like himself.  As a result, he responded to God’s challenge with a series of empty excuses.  In Exodus 2:1, Moses complains, “... they will not believe me, nor harken unto my voice ...”.  In response to this excuse, God asked Moses, “... what is that in thine hand?” 

           

Just like Moses, every Christian is called to serve in some capacity.   When it comes to serving God, most Christians offer excuses by mentioning all the things they cannot do.  They speak about the talents and gifts they don’t have.  When prompted with an opportunity to serve, do you, like Moses, ask, Who am I to serve?   I’m not very great.  I’m not all that talented.  Yet God is asking you, What is that in thine hand?  In other words, what do you have and what can you do?   You see, God is asking you to use what you do have, not what you don’t have.  He is asking to do the things you can do, not the things you can’t do. 

As we look at Moses’ situation, we learn several things.  First, we cannot serve God in our strength.  Without God’s help, our efforts will be in vain.  All of Moses’ excuses hinged on his own ability, not God’s.  While it was true that Moses couldn’t do anything by himself, he was forgetting that God has the power to use unworthy, weak people in a great way.  Excuses actually reveal doubt in God and emphasize serving in the flesh.  We can only serve as He leads and by His Spirit.  Thru His power, a weak, unworthy person can be used in a dynamic way. 

The second lesson we learn is, God can use anything to accomplish His work.  In Moses’ situation, all he had was a rod.  The simple staff that he held would one day be used of God to perform miracles.  Isn’t it great that God can powerfully use the simple things in your life? 

Third we realize, God uses the things that we surrender to Him and His work.  God asked Moses to cast down his staff.  God began to use the rod when Moses released it to God’s will.  In Exodus 4:20, the same rod was called, “... the rod of God...”  Possession of the rod transferred from Moses to God.  Is there anything that you’re unwilling to give to the Lord? 

Next we learn, what we have should be used faithfully for God.   Moses took the rod and used it regularly.  He used it at his first meeting before Pharaoh (Ex. 7:9-10, 12).  The rod was used when the water of Egypt was turned to blood (Ex. 7:19-20).   The rod was further used in bringing frogs (Ex. 8:5), lice (Ex. 8:16-17), & locusts (Ex. 10:13).  The rod was used to bring water from a rock (Ex.17:4-6) & was lifted high as the Israelites defeated the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-13).  Moses faithfully used the rod.  God expects you to faithfully use the talents, gifts, and opportunities He gives you. 

Here's a final lesson we learn:  obey the Lord as He leads.  Moses used the rod in response to God’s command.  Happy is the person who uses all he has as God commands. 

Maybe you’ll never preach.  Possibly you can’t sing as well as others.  Maybe you’re not a gifted teacher.  God is not asking, what don’t you have?   Instead of making excuses (and regretting every one of them), honestly give the Lord what you do have.  Serve Him faithfully.  God is asking you, “What is that in thine hand?”