DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
READ: Exodus 4 (Focus vs.1-5, 10-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.” Exodus 4:2 nlt
BACKGROUND
Captain Tim Mullane diligently worked at sinking the SS United States—a massive ocean liner. In fact, he was paid to send it down to the depths. Mullane repurposes ships from sailing the seven seas to serving as instant artificial reefs on the ocean floor.
Sunken vessels provide attractive destinations for scuba divers and help protect coastlines as they curb the erosion of beaches. While no longer riding ocean waves, the ships continue to provide value lying far beneath them.
Moses’ shepherd’s staff was repurposed for something that would prove to be invaluable for the Israelites. God asked him, “What is that in your hand?” Moses replied, “A shepherd’s staff” (Exodus 4:2 nlt).
Moses cared for sheep for forty years (Acts 7:29-30), but his staff would now be used to shepherd his people out of Egypt. The staff was a symbol of God’s working through Moses, and as he “[performed] the signs with it” (Exodus 4:17), God’s power was revealed.
As Moses stretched out his “staff toward the sky” God rained hail on Egypt (9:23) and later allowed the Israelites to pass through “the sea on dry ground” (14:16).
God repurposed Moses’ staff and role to accomplish His purposes. He’ll often use our gifts and talents in fresh ways too. How might He be using your “staff” in a new way during this season of life?
Tom Felten
INSIGHT
Exodus 4 records how God repurposed Moses’ staff (vv. 1-5) to accomplish His purpose. The gospel of John describes how a boy’s meager meal was repurposed. A great crowd of people had followed Jesus and were hungry.
Christ asked His disciples, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (6:5). A boy had a boy-sized lunch, barely enough to satisfy a boy-sized appetite. But when the seemingly insignificant was surrendered to God (v. 9), hungry people were fed (vv. 10-13), and God received the glory (v. 14).
Today, we can ask God to use us to accomplish His purposes.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
Why can it be hard to let go of roles and responsibilities?
How might God be using your gifts and talents in new ways?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
A boy (with) a boy-sized lunch, barely enough to satisfy a boy-sized appetite, turned it over to the Lord…When the seemingly insignificant was surrendered to God…hungry people were fed…and God received the glory.” Arthur Jackson – *Adapted
PR’s TAKE
“If we surrender our gifts and talents to God, He will use them in fresh ways. Tom Felten – Adapted
Ordinary folks in the hands of an extra-ordinary God can do extraordinary things for His glory.
PRAYER
“Loving God, please help me see how You’re using my gifts and talents in fresh ways.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“LORD I’M AVAILABLE TO YOU.”
You gave me my hands to reach out to man
To show him Your love and Your perfect plan
You gave me my ears, I can hear Your voice so clear
I can hear the cries of sinners
But cannot wipe away their tears
You gave me my voice to speak Your Word
To sing all Your praises, to those who never heard
But with my eyes I can see a need for more availability
I’ve seen the hearts that have been broken
So many people to be free
Lord, I’m available to You
My will I give to You
I’ll do what You say to
Use me Lord to show someone the way and enable me to say
My storage is empty and I am available to You
Now I’m giving back to You all the tools You gave to me
My hands, my ears, my voice, my eyes
So You can use them as You please
I have emptied out my cup so that You can fill me up
Now I’m free, I just want to be more available to You
You might also like
Lord, I’m available to You
My will I give to You
I’ll do what You say to
Use me Lord to show someone the way and enable me to say
My storage is empty and I am available to You
Ah, ah
Ah, ah
Use me Lord …
Use me Lord …
