What is that in your hand?
“1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A staff,” he replied.
3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”
Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.””
Today, through the story of Moses and his staff, we are once again invited to reflect on last week's anniversary sermon. God commanded Moses to throw down his staff, and it became a serpent. Then, God instructed him to grab the serpent by its tail, and it turned back into a staff. This event was not just a miraculous sign; through it, God conveyed a powerful message to Moses and the Israelites. It was a confirmation that God had called Moses and that through him, He would deliver the people of Israel.
God performed this miracle to make the Israelites believe that "the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—had appeared to Moses." The purpose was to remind the Israelites of God's promises to their ancestors and to instill faith in them that these promises would be fulfilled through Moses. It was a testimony to God's faithfulness in guiding their forefathers and His intent to fulfill that promise even now. For Moses, who had once killed a man, fled, and at 80 years old had become a forgotten figure, the title "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" must have set his heart ablaze.
God uses the small things we have to accomplish His great works. Just as He had Moses cast down his staff, He desires to work through the little that we have. Even if what we hold seems small and insignificant, if we offer it to God, it can be used for the mighty purposes of His kingdom.
How will you use your talents in serving God? How will you use the resources you have today to bless someone? In this morning's prayer, may we be led to a faith-filled decision to offer whatever we have, no matter how small, to God.
Prayer: Lord, we have seen how You met Moses, called him to his mission, and guided him despite his hesitations. You, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of immigrants—reveal Yourself to us as well and help us follow in the footsteps of our forefathers in faith. We trust that You will use the ordinary things in our lives as Your instruments, and with joy, we offer what we have to You. Be with us in this week's Fall retreat and pour out Your grace on all who attend. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.