“Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” Exodus 4:4 NIV

In Pharaoh’s palace, Moses threw down his rod and “it became a snake” (v. 3 NIV). He was so scared, he ran from it. Then God said, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail,” leaving the head, the most dangerous part, unrestrained. One Bible teacher pointed this out: “During your training trip through the wilderness, you’ll probably think God is leading you the wrong way; that He’s saying something that doesn’t make sense. His commandments aren’t usually accompanied by explanation. And when you can’t figure out what He’s doing, you must trust Him. Once Moses picked up the snake by its tail, it became a rod once more, and it was never again referred to as ‘the rod of Moses,’ but ‘the rod of God’ (see Exodus 4:1-20; 17:9). When Moses released it, the snake element was taken out of it and it became God’s rod. The one thing Moses thought he could trust, his old, familiar, tried-and-true shepherd’s rod, had to be relinquished. And God may strip you of certain things to let you see your dependence on Him. But with that stripping comes power. There are things you want to hold on to that you have to release so God can remove the snake.” So what are you holding on to today? A desire to teach? Musical talent? An aptitude for business? Leadership abilities? Take your gift, whatever it is, and “throw it on the ground” (v. 3 NIV) before God. He is the only one who knows if there is a snake hiding inside it. He can remove the “flesh” element, bless it, and give it back to you as an instrument fit for service.

The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024