THE ROD OF MOSES , THE ROD OF GOD

God has a remarkable way of taking ordinary things and making them extraordinary when they are surrendered into His hands. Moses was not holding something that looked powerful. He was holding a rod, a simple shepherd's staff, an ordinary object he had probably carried for years. But God asked him a strange question: “What is that in thine hand?” God already knew the answer. The question was not for information; it was an invitation to revelation. God was showing Moses that what he considered ordinary could become extraordinary when placed under divine purpose. That rod had been part of Moses' everyday life. It represented his experience, his work, his wilderness years and his identity as a shepherd. Yet when Moses surrendered it to God, it became more than a shepherd's staff, it became the rod of God. The same hand that had used it to guide sheep would now use it to confront Pharaoh, demonstrate God's power, divide the Red Sea and lead a nation toward freedom. What is ordinary in your hand can become extraordinary in God's hand.

Young man, what is in your hand? Perhaps it is your education. Perhaps it is your job. Perhaps it is your ability to speak, write, design, sing, teach, build, research, create, lead or solve problems. Perhaps it is your business, your phone, your intellect, your creativity, your influence or even an experience you once thought was insignificant. Moses had experience leading sheep before God called him to lead people. His shepherding years were not wasted years; they were preparation years. The wilderness was his classroom. The rod was his tool. What Moses learned while leading sheep became useful when he had to lead a nation. Sometimes God allows you to master something ordinary before He entrusts you with something extraordinary. Your present job may be training you for your future assignment. Your current position may be developing the character required for your next level. Do not despise what is in your hand simply because it does not yet look like destiny.

But there was another dimension: God had to shape the rod and He had to shape Moses. In Exodus 4, God instructed Moses to throw the rod onto the ground, and it became a serpent. Moses ran from it. Then God told him to take it by the tail, and it became a rod again. The lesson was deeper than a miracle. God was teaching Moses that the thing he possessed could become dangerous when outside divine control, but powerful when surrendered to divine authority. God was not merely changing the rod; He was changing Moses' relationship with the rod. Before God can use what is in your hand, He may first have to deal with what is in your heart. Your gift must be surrendered. Your ambition must be surrendered. Your intelligence must be surrendered. Your career must be surrendered. Your relationships, influence and dreams must be surrendered. A gift in your hand can become an idol; a gift in God's hand can become a weapon for His kingdom.

Look also at Gideon. God used something as ordinary as a sword and transformed it into an instrument of victory. Gideon's army did not win because they possessed superior human strength; the victory belonged to God. This is the recurring pattern of Scripture: God takes what appears insufficient and demonstrates that the power belongs to Him. The shepherd's rod becomes the rod of God. The ordinary sword becomes an instrument of divine victory. The ordinary words of fishermen become the message that reaches nations. A young person's little becomes much when placed in the hands of God. God does not always look for what is impressive; He looks for what is surrendered.

And this is where the message becomes personal: your job can become God's job. Your gift can become God's gift. Your business can become God's platform. Your education can become God's instrument. Your voice can become God's voice of encouragement. Your hands can become God's hands of service. Your influence can become God's influence. The difference is not necessarily the object, it is the owner. What happens when you stop saying, “This is mine,” and begin saying, “Lord, this belongs to You; use it for Your glory”? That is when the ordinary begins to carry extraordinary purpose.

Young man, do not wait until you have everything before you surrender what you have. Moses did not have a palace, an army or political influence when God called him. He had a rod. David had a sling. Gideon had a small army. The disciples had nets. A little boy had five loaves and two fish. Again and again, God begins with what is already available and surrendered. The question is not, “What do I have compared with others?” The question is, “Have I placed what I have in God's hands?”

Your generation does not simply need talented young people; it needs surrendered young people. People whose intelligence is surrendered. People whose careers are surrendered. People whose relationships are surrendered. People whose ambitions are surrendered. People who can say, “Lord, whatever You have placed in my hand, take it, shape it, purify it and use it.” Because before God makes the instrument powerful, He often makes the person usable. The rod was ordinary before Moses surrendered it. It became extraordinary after God took possession of it.

So look at your hands again. What is in your hand? Your degree? Give it to God. Your profession? Give it to God.

Your business? Give it to God. Your research? Give it to God. Your creativity? Give it to God. Your leadership? Give it to God. Your influence? Give it to God. Your dreams? Give them to God. Do not merely ask God to bless what you are doing. Ask Him to take ownership of what you are doing.

Because there is a difference between a rod in the hand of Moses and the rod of God in the hand of Moses. One is an ordinary object. The other is an ordinary object carrying divine purpose. And perhaps the greatest miracle God wants to perform is not changing what is in your hand but changing whose hand it is in.

Reference: Exodus 4:1–5

The Process