We read in the Old Testament of God speaking to Moses from the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the chosen people out of Egypt. But Moses objected, saying that no one would believe him to have been sent by God. When asked what was in his hand, Moses answered, “A rod.” The Lord told him to put it down. As we know, it became a serpent. When, at God’s direction, he caught it up, it became a rod again. God is powerful and He could have chosen anything in the universe to use as a sign of His authority. Yet, He made use of that which was readily available – the shepherd’s rod in Moses’ hand. The Bible says that as Moses caught the serpent God said this, “That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee” (Exodus 4:5).
We need today to consider what is in our hand and use it as we seek to live the Christian life in the twenty-first century. Let us consider what we might find in our hands.
Beloved, “What is in thine hand?” A CLOCK! How do we use the time given us by the Lord? Do we waste our time away worrying about things that we can’t change? “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matt. 6:34). Or do we dribble away time in griping, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (1 Cor. 10:10). “Do all things without murmuring and disputings” (Phil. 2:14). Do we spend our time wishing for things we can’t have or do we become a slave to time by having such a rigid schedule that we don’t have time to help others? “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doeth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works (James 2:14-18).
“What is in thine hand?” A TELEPHONE! How do we use this modern convenience? Do we use it for gossip or pointless conversation [“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” Eph. 4:29.] or do we use it to cheer a sick person or the elderly? “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let his sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” James 5:13-14.
“What is in thine hand?” A STERRING WHEEL! Are our cars and trucks only for our own use and pleasure or do we use them to visit the sick and shut-in or to help others in ways we can? “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
“What is in thine hand?” A PEN AND PAPER! Do we write “Thinking of you notes” or letters to encourage someone who is away? Do we ever write a friend just to tell him or her how we treasure their friendship? You never know you might brighten a day for someone that really needs it just by sending this note. Try it you might like it.
What is in thine hand?” Cooking equipment, flowers, needle and thread, other tools or some hobby? Let us use those things, or time or talents to help others. Let us use those things that are ready available to us to help others. It might not seem much to us but look at what it can become. Remember Moses’ rod; it was a simple thing but look what it became. It was used to glorify God. We can use what we have in our hands to glorify God also. Is God please with the use we make of those things “in thine hand?”
Love, Keith
