Your Daily Devotional for October 21, 2007

 

October 21,  2007

 

 

When We Wonder

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand."

 

Exodus 4:1-4

 

 

When the Gerber baby food company first started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as here in the United States with the cute baby on the label. Later they found out that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what is inside since most people cannot read.

 

Many times we can be confused or wonder about something. Maybe it is through a time of uncertainty that comes into our lives or when God asks us to do something we don't think is possible. Whatever it is, there are probably times when we all wonder about what God is doing in our lives.

 

When God spoke to Moses through a burning bush in the desert, Moses' first response was fear. He worried about his failures and weaknesses, but God promised to be with Him and to show Himself strong through Moses' life.

 

Then Moses answered God in Exodus 4:1, "And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee." The first word Moses said was "but." This is a coordinating conjunction that ties two phrases together. It is as if Moses was saying, "Lord, I know you promised to be with me and to work through me, and I know you are able to, but I am still worried if the people will believe me or not." Many times we can respond the same way to God's commands. We can oftentimes become afraid or doubt the promises God has given us. We can wonder if God will be able to help us personally. Let's see how God answered Moses' wondering.

 

First, God asked Moses a simple question, "What is that in thine hand?" (Exodus 4:2). Many people wonder how God can use them or what they have to offer Him, yet God asks a simple question. God doesn't ask us to do the amazing or the impossible. He simply asks us to give Him the time, talents, and resources we already have.

 

God is asking you today, "What do you have in your hand?" What do you have that you can offer God? One little boy only had two fish and five loaves of bread, yet God worked through him because he willingly gave what he had. It is not the amount of what we have but our willingness to give it to Him that matters to God.

 

Also, we see that God performed an amazing miracle. Exodus 4:3-4 says, "And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand." God performed a great miracle because Moses was willing to give God what he had and obey His commands.

 

We should not worry and wonder about how God will use us or how He will work in our lives. We must simply give Him what we have and let Him use it to His glory. What do you have today that you can give God? A talent, some time, or a resource? God doesn't ask that you have the most talent, the longest amount of time, or the greatest resources; all He asks is that you give Him what you have. Spend time with God now and give Him what you have. Do not spend time wondering how He could use you, but rather give Him what is in your hand today!

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Isaiah 62-64 • 1 Timothy 1

 

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