What is in your hand?

Exodus 4

4 Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”

² So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

He said, “A rod.”

³ And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), ⁵ “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Exodus 17l

⁸ Now Amalek( place of turmoil) came and fought with Israel in Rephidim(resting place). ⁹ And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” ¹⁰ So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ¹¹ And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  ¹² But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. ¹³ So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

I moved to a foreign land to retire and enjoy resting time with family. However, I was not ready for all  the turmoil and attacks on my person; I became sick, weak, in despair, tension with family members and in financial stress. One day while praying, I cried out to the Lord for answers. This question that the Lord asked Moses, He asked me- what do you have in your hands?

I never thought of those words but I realized it must be in the Bible. Exodus 4, God asked Moses who was looking for excuses not to be obedient to God’s instructions… but suppose… but suppose…

Moses had a rod

Moses held a simple rod; a staff used by a shepherd. God used this ordinary rod to perform miracles. He not only showed Moses, he had power and authority right there in his hand but also showing us, we should use the skills and resources we already have rather than focusing on what we do not have.

In my hands I had God’s Word, promises and the knowledge of God’s miracles in my life. That was my power; my authority.

The enemy was already defeated and I already had the victory. I had to redirect my focus and praise God especially in times of turmoil. I was promised a place of rest at Jesus side that no distress can take away.

By Your stripes I am healed…Thank you Jesus

Jesus redeemed me from the curse of the law by becoming a curse

My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory through Christ

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want

And on and on….

I spend my time praying with others, attending prayer meetings, checking on family members whether they like me or not. It is not about them but it is all about God.

Friends, time in the wilderness is best spent with the One who cares and loves you without prejudice. Keep your hands stretched upwards and in praising Him.

What is in your hands?

Are you holding tight and not willing to let go of your excuses, your efforts, bitterness, anger? Not wanting to surrender and humble yourself- wallowing in self pity and those poor excuses

It is very easy to miss out on God’s blessings when our hands are busy holding onto things of this world.

Psalm 145

¹⁶ You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

How are you going to receive from God if your hands are tightly holding onto other things?

We need to learn to let go and hold out our hands to God

You also do not realize the gifts and blessings you already have in your hands to serve . There is power and authority to be released.  Moses used the same rod that turned into a snake and back, parted the sea and struck water out of rock to defeat an enemy- the Amalakites

Proverbs 14

The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Ecclesiastes 9

¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Proverbs 10

⁴ He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

My friend who was laid off spends her time helping neighbours- taking them grocery shopping and cooking for them. She takes care of her granddaughter,  teaching and praying with her. Glory to God!We have so much to give to God’s kingdom.