Moses was afraid – like some evangelists and pastors! In Exodus 4:1 Moses answered God, ‘They won’t believe me, they won’t listen to my voice, they will say, ‘You don’t know God, how do we know that you have met with Him?’ No, I will not go!’
God’s answer to Moses was, ‘What have you got in your hand?’ ‘Oh, that’s just my wooden stick which I broke from a tree, I cut it and shaped it myself and I use it to defend the sheep from the wild animals.’ Then God said to Moses, ‘Throw your stick on the ground.’ Immediately that stick was changed into a poisonous snake, coming straight for him, and he ran away as fast as he could!
This snake was a reality, not a picture. God understands the reality in your life. Moses was afraid and ran away from it. If there were a snake in front of me, I would run away too. But God said to Moses, ‘Don't be afraid of the snake, go and pick it up by its tail!’ If you know anything about snakes, that’s dangerous, because if you pick it up by its tail, it will swing round and bite you. If you’re going to get it, take its head. But God said take its tail. Why? Because God was dealing with this thing, not Moses. So Moses picked up the snake by its tail and the moment that he touched it, it was no longer a snake, it was his stick again! Now Moses began to understand.
Don’t be afraid, you who want to work for God, He is with you! He is going to demonstrate His presence and work miracles together in co-operation with you. That is exactly what God said to Moses.
Overcoming Ministry Fear: What Moses’ Rod Teaches Pastors and Evangelists About Faith
Many pastors, evangelists, and ministry leaders face a common fear: the fear of rejection and inadequacy. When called by God, it is natural to ask, "What if they don’t believe me or listen to my voice?"
This exact fear is rooted in scripture. In Exodus 4:1, Moses expressed his deep anxiety to God, anticipating that the Israelites would reject his authority and doubt his encounter with the Lord.
The Divine Strategy: Transforming Ordinary Tools into Miraculous Signs
God’s response to Moses’ fear provides a timeless blueprint for modern ministry leaders overcoming doubt. Instead of giving Moses a new weapon or an eloquent speech, God asked a foundational question: "What is in your hand?"
The Ordinary Tool: Moses held a simple shepherd's staff – a wooden stick he had cut and shaped himself to defend his sheep from wild animals.
The Reality of Fear: When commanded to throw it on the ground, the staff became a literal, dangerous snake. Like any practical person, Moses ran from it. God does not dismiss the realities or dangers we face in life and ministry; He acknowledges them.
The Test of Absolute Obedience: God then commanded Moses to catch the snake by its tail. Experientially and logically, this is the most dangerous way to handle a venomous snake, as it leaves the head free to strike.
Key Theological Insight: God commanded Moses to grab the tail because God was dealing with the danger, not Moses. True obedience requires trusting God's instructions over human survival instincts.
The moment Moses demonstrated faith and touched the tail, the serpent reverted into an ordinary staff. Through this sign, Moses understood that his ordinary, everyday tools – when surrendered to God – become instruments of divine authority.
The Takeaway for Modern Christian Leaders
If you are a pastor or evangelist hesitant to step into your calling due to fear, remember this biblical principle: God does not require your perfection; He requires your co-operation.
God is actively present in your ministry. He chooses to demonstrate His supernatural power and perform miracles in direct co-operation with you. Look at what is already in your hand – your current talents, your standard tools, your present circumstances – and surrender them to Him.