What Is In Your Hand?

“Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11) Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” Then the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’” (Exodus 4:1-2)

God commanded Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites, God’s chosen people. The enormity of the command had to frighten Moses beyond comprehension given the circumstances. The Israelites were slaves to the leadership of Egypt and were treated with cruel and difficult working and living conditions. When God first approached Moses, his doubt was in himself. Moses questioned his own credibility and authority in accomplishing God’s will. Once God settled that question, Moses questioned whether they would believe him as if God wasn’t equipped to prove Himself to these people. The response from God to Moses is both priceless and applicable to us today. God was saying to Moses that He has given him the ability and the tools required to carry through with this command.

‘What is that in your hand?’ When God positions us to move forward in service and ministry He gives us the ability and provisions required to accomplish the ministry. He will not send us to do His work empty handed. We get so hung up on the how that many times we lose sight of the power of the Who. Fortunately, our God is a God of patience and revelation. He will remind us of our strengths that He has developed, and the wisdom that we have attained through Him.

When we lose our confidence in what He is calling us to accomplish, He will lovingly and faithfully remind and encourage us. He will touch us with His loving Spirit, wink at us with His encouraging eyes, smile and say, ‘What is that in your hand?’

These words will gently remind us that we are fully equipped and ready to soar.