A few years back, I was honored to speak at the Piedmont Church of Christ’s Ladies’ Day. I was given a theme that I love – “What Is That In Thine Hand?” It is taken from Exodus 4:2, when Moses was trying to make excuses for why he wasn’t the right one to go to Egypt and approach Pharaoh’s throne on behalf of the Israelites. Moses asked God, “What if they will not believe me, not hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.” (Ex. 4:1) That is when the Lord asked, “What is that in thine hand?” Moses had been watching over his father-in-law’s flock and had a shepherd’s rod in his hand. The Lord told him to cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent. Moses was so scared that he ran from it! But when the Lord told him to take that serpent by the tail, he obeyed, and it once again became a rod.
Moses held power in his hand and he didn’t even know it. What is in your hands every day? Do you hold a pencil or pen? It can be used to send a card or write an encouraging note to someone. Do you hold a kitchen utensil? It can be used to cook supper for that family who has lost a loved one or someone who has been ill. Do you have your hands around a steering wheel every day? It can be used to drive someone to an appointment or stop at the store to pick up some needed item. What about a cell phone? They seem to be in everybody’s hands at all times – They’ve taken the place of our watches, our alarm clocks, our calendars and our cameras. Do you use it to call or text someone who needs to know that they are loved or appreciated? Most of all, I pray that you have your Bible in your hands for the Psalmist said, “Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)
You know, Moses ran when his rod became a serpent. He was afraid. Are you afraid to use what is found in your hands? May we all be aware of the opportunities that we have each day to be good and do good. What is that in thine hand? God Bless, Courtney