What’s In Your Hand, Pt. 2

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’”  [Exodus 4:2]

Are you afraid of snakes? Yikes! Just typing the word brings fear and all kinds of images to my mind. Lots of people are not afraid snakes, but I’m not in that category! Others think there is no such thing as a “bad” snake. Once again, don’t include me in that debate. I think that is why I am not an outdoors type of person--camping, fishing, hiking, climbing, exploring. There just might be a snake out there! I have seen a snake or two on the golf course, and my game was all but over after that!

Moses…you know the name.  You may have read, studied, or watched a movie about him. Moses and I have one thing in common: He ran away from a snake! Here is the context:

Moses is conversing (actually arguing) with God about the assignment he has been given. God informed Moses that he was to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved for centuries. In the midst of this debate God asked Moses what was in his hand. Moses, being a shepherd, replied, “A staff.”  God tells Moses to throw his staff on the ground and he obeys. Immediately and supernaturally, the staff becomes a snake, and Moses runs! But then, God instructs Moses to pick up the snake by the tail! Okay, this is where my commonality with Moses ends. I would have kept running and argued with God, but Moses obeys again! The snake turns back into a staff. Wow! Only God!

What’s the point? God knew what was in Moses’ hand before He even asked the question. Anytime God asked Moses a question, He already knew the answer. He was just waiting to see if Moses knew the answer. Moses’ staff was his security, his protection, and quite frankly, his identity. God wanted to see if Moses was willing to “throw down” his security so that God could become his sufficiency!

What question is God asking you? Go ahead, be honest, not with me, but with God. He already knows, so you might as well say it. Besides, it’s for your benefit. 

What is it that you are holding onto as your identity or security? Career? Relationship? Title? Money? Possessions? What might it look like if you released all of it into God’s hands and allowed Him to be your source?

What’s in your hand?