This is the story of Moses and his contention and conversation with God about God calling him to go back to Egypt, to Pharoah, the most powerful man in the world at that time and to tell him, "Let My People Go."

Moses began to make excuses as to why he couldn't do what God told him to do.
A. Have you ever done that?

As you read this story, Moses' first excuse was,
1. "Who am I that I should go to Pharoah"? Chpt 3 vs 11.
2. His next excuse was "who will I say has sent me". Chpt. 3 vs-13
3. His next statement was "they will not believe me" Chpt 4 vs-1

Moses was then given 3 signs that God would be with him and use him to accomplish His plan and purpose/

I. "What is in thine hand"? Text verse Chpt. 4 vs-2
A. A rod-- a simple shepherd's stick!!!!!
This simple stick became the symbol of the Invisible God's presence with Moses.

B A leprous hand cleansed--vs-6-7
God showed Moses His power to heal the physical and most dreaded disease of his day--Leprosy!!!!!!

Moses still made an excuse of not being able to speak so, God sent Aaron, Moses's brother as his mouthpiece.
C. Later, God turned the water into blood in Egypt---Exodus Chpt. 7 vs-19

Often times, we want to argue and barter with God. We tell God, 'if you will do this for me then, I will do this for you". We, as Christians, should not try to barter with God. We should be submissive and just do as He asks us to do.

Look at what was accomplished by God, through Moses!!!!

Now, let's pursue this "What is in Thy Hand" question in a couple of more instances.

Notice what a simple slingshot accomplished in the hand of David!!!!!! I Sam 17:40.
A slingshot and 5 rocks going up against a seasoned warrior, approx. 9 ft 6 in tall. This Phillistine warrior had a coat that weighed 126 lbs. and his spear weight over 150 lbs. Yet, because God was with David, as He was with Moses, David prevailed over this giant Phillistine.

Note: Did you know why David took 5 stones? Goliath had 4 brothers and David was prepared to do battle with them if they so chose.
Point: David knew that God was all sufficient in what God would do for him and with him.

Now, let's go to the New Testament to John Chpt 6 vs-9:
There was a small boy who had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Andrew said " but what are they among so many"?

In our eyes, and in our own reckoning, Moses could have never faced Pharoah and demanded the Children of Israel be released. David could not have challenged a Phillistine giant and won nor, could a small boy having 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish could have fed 5000 plus people then, gathered 12 baskets full of remaining food.

Point is this:
God does not expect us to do more that what is beyond our ability or capacity!!!!! He just wants to use us with what we have had given to us for Him.

In closing, what has God placed in your hand?
A. The gift of music?
B. The gift of speech?
C. The gift of leadership?
D. The gift of teaching?

I could go on and on. We can serve, we can be a worker in the church. We can be an encourager of those who are in leadership, teaching, music, etc.

The old verse in the old Hymn is still true. "Little is much, when God is in it."

We serve a God who is all sufficient and will provide what is needed, when it is needed, the way it is needed, if we trust Him and follow His leadership.

Have a wonderful weekend. May God bless this message.

Oldbiker