Exodus 4:2-3 states, “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.”
While driving the cuber down a windrow of hay, sitting about ten feet above the ground, a sparrow flew up out of the row of alfalfa and came right at me. I instinctively put my hand up to guard my face. Somehow my hand closed around it. Clutched in my hand was the little bird, looking up at me. We would sometimes shoot sparrows in the shop because they made such a mess. With one hard squeeze I could have ended this creature’s life. As I thought the situation over, I realized I had the power of life in my hand. God’s eye must have been on that sparrow, for I decided to let it go.
God told Moses to let go of his rod and cast it upon the ground. With the rod Moses protected his father-in-law’s sheep. God had bigger plans for Moses, and that rod. He would use them both to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.
Pharaoh also had power in his hand. He was told to let the people of Israel go. Because of his hard heart he refused. This resulted in the plagues, the death of his son, and finally his own death in the Red Sea.
There are things we should hold on to, such as our faith. “Hold on my child; joy comes in the morning.” That powerful song by the Gaithers is a beautiful picture of holding on to God. Another one of their songs, “What a Day That Will Be,” speaks of walking through heaven holding on to the hand of Jesus.
Sometimes we have to let go of what is in our hand to be free to clasp what God has for us.
There was nothing wrong with Moses having a rod in his hand. It was the very thing God was going to use. When the rod was given over to God it became a powerful tool. It is notable that Aaron’s rod also had power. The magicians of Egypt also had power in their rods. Satan has power and uses men for his purpose, but doesn’t stand a chance against God.
Let us consider for a moment what is in your hand and mine. What is the thing we are holding on to that we need to let go of? It is usually just one thing that is keeping us from being used of God in a powerful way. It could be a bitter or critical spirit, an unforgiving spirit, pride, a controlling issue, a lying or dishonest spirit—possibly selfishness, or self pity. We may have a habit that we will not let go of. Our heart may be set on money. With Adam and Eve it was just one bite of fruit in their mouth.
God says to cast it down. Let go of it! When we do He blesses us with His blessing. The Holy Spirit comes in with power. Why do we continue to hold on to that which destroys us? How close we are to all the joys God has for us. “Oh the joy of sins forgiven, O the bliss the blood-washed know, Oh, the peace akin to heav’n, Where the healing waters flow.” This hymn by H.H. Heimar and L.L. Pickett expresses the joy of letting go and letting God.
It worked for Moses. It will work for me and you. It is time to let go and let God!
Thank you Larry!