June 22, 2020 (Monday)
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The history of Israel is fascinating. God called Abraham and led him to Canaan. Abraham obeyed and had a son named Isaac, who had a son named Jacob, who had many sons who would become heads of the tribes of Israel, God’s people. They all went to Egypt, where they were welcomed. After 400 years, however, they multiplied in numbers and Egypt made them slaves. The king, Pharaoh, feared them and decreed that all Hebrew babies be killed. When Moses was born, he was miraculously protected and grew up in Pharaoh’s house. He became popular and came to understand that he was God’s chosen leader for Israel, but he killed an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew, and had to flee for his life. He went to Midian, married and became a shepherd of sheep.
When he was 80 years old, God called him to lead Israel to a land where they could become an independent nation. As Moses stood there that day, near a bush that burned without being consumed, God asked him, “What is that in your hand?” Moses replied, “A rod” (shepherd’s staff). “Throw it down,” God said, and Moses obeyed, but was shocked when it became a snake. “Pick it up,” God commanded. Moses did that, and it became a rod again.
That incident with the rod was symbolic. Moses must be willing to give up himself so that God could use him to lead the children of Israel to the promised land. The rod would be instrumental time and time again as Moses led his people to the new country. It would serve as a reminder to Moses that God was the source of his strength. He learned to depend on God as leader of God’s people.
God asked Moses to lay down anything and everything that would hinder him in his mission. Now, listen. You and I have a mission. Yours is whatever God has brought you into this world to accomplish for Him. But you must be willing to lay down whatever might hinder you in this beautiful task. You can do without it. The Lord will be sufficient for all your needs, if you are willing to serve Him. As John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He must increase but I must decrease.” His calling demanded him to lay self aside and serve the Lord. The Lord calls each of us to do the same and leads us to pray, “None of self and all of Thee.”
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee,
Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)