What Is In Your Hand?

There have been times when I've sat in church and listened to a soloist, or to someone playing an instrument and I've thought, "If only I could be that good, then I could serve the Lord better."  Why do we compare ourselves with others?  Very rarely do I come away from such a comparison feeling good.  What I usually feel is depressed because I view myself as inferior.  But in whose eyes am I not good enough?  God's? 

Any talent or gift that we have been blessed with comes from God, it has nothing to do with us.  If God has given us a gift, He expects us to use it in service for Him.  Who are we to say that what God has given to us is not good?  This is not to say that we walk around puffed up with pride thinking that we are God's gift to the masses!  Nor is it to say that we don't have to work to improve and better our talents.  We have responsibilities to do the best we can with what God has given us, with His help.  We are not all blessed with the same gifts.  While one might have a beautiful voice they might not have organizational skills.  One able to work with children might not have the ability to play the piano.

In Exodus chapter 4 we find Moses in a very anxious state.  God had just told him that he was the chosen one to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt.  Poor Moses was overcome, he was a shepherd, how could he be capable of such a task?  We tend to find ourselves put out with Moses a little bit, how dare he argue with God.  Don't we do the same thing in our lives?  If we are honest with ourselves, aren't we sometimes in the same state that Moses was...anxious, doubtful and arguing with God about what He has asked of us? 

Exodus 4:2  "And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand?  And he said, A rod."

Moses as a shepherd was very accustomed to having his rod in his hand. This rod was an extension of himself, he used it to help him walk, to herd the sheep, and it was used to protect the sheep at times. God proceeded to tell him to cast the rod onto the ground where it became a snake.  He then instructed Moses to grab it by its tail and it became his rod once more.  God was trying to show Moses that what he already had in his hand would be used of Him for mighty things if he would just submit and trust.  Moses would later use that same rod to part the Red Sea!

In John chapter 6 we read about a lad who had gone to hear Jesus speak.  All he had in his hand was a small lunch of five barley loaves and two small fish.  He had no idea when he left home that morning that his lunch was going to used by the Lord.  What was in his hand when given over to the Master became an instrument in a tremendous miracle.  This small lunch fed 5000 with 12 baskets of food left over!

l Samuel 17;  we see David facing the giant Goliath.  David did not have armour or a big sword, all he had in his hand was a sling and 5 smooth stones in his bag.  

l Samuel 17:50  "So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him:  but there was no sword in the hand of David."

Do you want to know one of the secrets to serving the Lord?  It's understanding that the battle IS HIS!  David knew this for in verse 47 he proclaimed to Goliath,

"For the battle is the LORD'S, and He will give you into our hands." 

I don't think Moses would have been filled with so much anxiety if he had realized that, yes, God wanted to use him...but it was the LORD's battle, he was just going to be an instrument.  I'm sure you've heard the saying, "God doesn't chose the equipped, He equips the chosen."  God provides us with what we need to effectively serve Him, we just need to provide a willing and submissive heart for His service.

What is "in your hand?"  God can take the little ordinary things in our hands and turn them into something wonderful for His glory.  God has equipped each of us uniquely with talents to be used for Him.  Our talents are not the same, but used together will make a vibrant testimony in our homes, churches and communities. Think of it as a singing quartet;  each person has their own part which seperately might not sound great, but together forms a lovely harmony.   Don't be envious of what is in someone elses hand, cultivate and grow your own gifts.  Our lives when turned over to God in humbleness and sincerity can be turned into something harmoniously beautiful in the service of our King.  

Only one life to offer - Take it, dear Lord, I pray:

Nothing from Thee withholding, Thy will I now obey.

Thou who hast freely given Thine all in all for Me,

Claim this life for Thine own to be used my Savior,

Every moment for Thee.

                    

                             Avis B. Christiansen