What is in Your Hand

What is in Your Hand?

Michael E. Grooms

Introduction:

A. What is that in your hand?

B. This was a question God asked of Moses long ago, today He asks you

I. Come as You Are (Exodus 3)

A. Moses was a fugitive, hiding in the hills of Midian as a shepherd

B. He had nothing but his shepherds staff (rod) with him

C. Moses did not feel capable of the task, but God knew He could use him

D. God demonstrated His power to work through Moses by his rod Ex. 4:1-5

1. Question, “What is that in your hand?”

2. Answer, “A rod” (Not much, just a rod)

3. Command, “Cast it on the ground” (It became a snake!)

4. Command, “Take it by the tail” (It became a rod again)

5. Purpose, “That they may believe God has appeard to you.”

E. God wants us to come to Him as we are and let Him show His power in us.

II. Go With God Exodus 4: 12-17

A. It was Moses’ insuffiency that enabled God to work in Him

B. God does not require greatness, but submission 1 Peter 5:5-7

C. God’s power is perfected in our weakness 2 Cor. 12:7-10 Illustration #1

D Mases came with his rod (Ex. 4:2), He left with the “rod of God” (Ex. 4:20)

III. Trust the Power of God

A. God displayed His power through Moses, Aaron, and a simple rod

1. Before Pharoah (Ex. 7-10)

a. Rod became a serpent (again), river to blood, frogs, lice, hail, wind

b. The man who once fled now stands before Pharoah boldly, with God

2. In crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16)

3. Water from the rock (Ex. 17:5,6 ; Numbers 20:7-13)

4. To defeat the army of Amelek (Exodus 17:9-13)

B. Peter’s trust, and faltering faith (Matt. 14:23-33) Illustration#2

C. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)

1. We cannot rely upon our own strength, God is our strength

2. “a very present help” God is near, He is a real, active presence in our lives

D. Disciples in storm Mark 4:35-41

1. They ask “Master, don’t you care that we are perishing?”

2. Jesus responds, “Peace, be still”

E. Be still, and know that I am God ( Psalm 46:10)

1. God told Moses, “Tell them I AM has sent you”

2. “I am God” is a statement of power, a power that can work in our lives

3. Be still, and know I AM

Conclusion: What is in your hand? You don’t need to be perfect, He is perfected in your weakness. You don’t need to prove your worth, Jesus did that. Come as you are.

Illustrations

O Will, that willest good alone,

Lead thou the way, thou guidest best;

A silent child, I follow on,

And trusting lean upon thy breast.

And if in gloom I see thee not,

I lean upon thy love unknown;

In me thy blessed will is wrought,

If I will nothing of my own.

Gerhard Tersteegen (1697-1769)

An elderly preacher once related:

"When my son was small, we often walked together out through the fields and neighboring pasture behind the house. At first the little fellow would hold onto my little finger, but he found that when he stepped into a hoof-print or stumbled over something, his grip would fail and down he'd go in the dust or snow. Not giving it much thought, my mind on other matters, I'd stop and he'd get up, brush himself off, and grab my little finger again, gripping a little harder this time.

"Needless to say, this occurred frequently until one day as he was brushing himself off, he looked at me and said, 'Daddy?' I replied, 'Yes, Son, what is it?' He said, I think if you would hold my hand, I wouldn't fall.'

"You know, he still stumbled many times after that, but he never hit the ground. Now, as you walk with God, don't try to hold on to Him, let Him hold on to you. You may stumble but He'll never let you fall."