Take that old staff...

“So, Moses took his wife and son, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took his staff in his hand…..” - Ex.4:20

Moses had spent almost 40 years in the wilderness, when he was called by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. When he set out on a journey to Egypt, he remembered to take his old staff with him, which he probably was using it to lead the flock in the wilderness. One of the reason for Moses to carry his old staff could be to remember his old days in wilderness….to remember his hard times in the desert….and to humble himself before the Lord.

Bro. D.G.S. narrated the following story: A rich man lived in a big palace which was built with expensive stones and marbles. People marveled at the beauty of his house. But in his living room, he had kept an old jagged chair. When his friends asked him why he had kept that old chair, he answered them, “My parents were very poor. We hardly had one meal a day. From that very poor situation God has lifted me up. So, I want to remember where I’ve come from. And I do not wish to forget the Lord who has blessed me with all this riches. So whenever I see that chair, I’ll remember the goodness and mercy of my Lord.”

Let’s consider a different scenario here. God anointed Saul, when he was small. God made him a King over Israel. But he forgot to fulfill the commandment of God (Read 1 Sam. 15). (Obeying a part of God’s law is NOT enough). Samuel said to Saul, “When you were small in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel? Why, then, did you not obey the voice of the Lord?” – 1 Sam. 15:17. Saul’s heart became proud, when he became the king and did not obey God.

God has blessed this generation. This generation is being blessed economically, physically, socially, spiritually as well as intellectually. When one becomes blessed, he should remember the place where he was raised from. He should remember his old days and give thanks to the Lord continually for all His blessings (Read Deut. 8). “When you have eaten and are satisfied, PRAISE the LORD for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, in keeping His commands, his laws, and his decrees that He is giving you this day. Otherwise, your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God……” - Deut. 8:10- 14.

The Ephesus church endured hardships for our Lord’s name, worked hard with perseverance. But still, God was very unhappy with this church, as they did not love God, as they did in their early days. To the church in Ephesus, the Lord says, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” –Rev.2:4. Hence, God warns them to show their original / first love to Him. “Repent and do the things you did at first.” – Rev.2:5

Our Lord needs undivided love for Him. The first and greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind” – Matt. 22: 37. Jesus has made a very strong statement here. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” - Matt. 10:37. So, how much more we have to be careful in honoring and loving God, giving Him the First place in everything in our lives.

So, take the old staff with you always, which you used to carry in your old days. It may be a personal prayer which you used to do all night long….or a regular fast which you used to do…..or a prayer from the depth of your heart with tears in your eyes…or simply a praise & worship song which you used to murmur all the time….Remember those days when you were born again and remember your old days when you were called by God…. Do the same spiritual things which you used to do before….have the same humble attitude in your heart…. Take that old staff of God with you all the time, where ever you go…..and you will be blessed! Amen!!

The End!