*Pastor’s Note: A.B. Simpson was a very well respected Canadian preacher, theologian and author who lived from December 15, 1843 to October 29, 1919. My prayer is that you will be blessed and inspired by his poetry as much as I am.

WHAT IS THAT IN THY HAND?

What is that in thy hand,
Moses? A simple rod.
Use it for Him, and earth shall shake
Before the march of God.

What is that in thy hand,
Gideon? A soldier’s sword.
Wield it, and for thy country win
The battle of the Lord.

What is that in thy hand,
Shamgar? A ploughman’s goad.
Use it, and Israel’s foes will flee
Before thee like a flood.

What hast thou in thy hand,
David? A shepherd’s sling.
Use it, and glorious victory
To Israel thou shalt bring.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Widow? A pot of oil.
Go pour it out, and find a store
Of rich and priceless spoil.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Woman? One handful more.
Go feed the prophet, and ’twill last
Till famine days are o’er.

What has thou, little lad?
Some loaves and fishes small.
Give them to Him, and they will be
Enough for thee and all.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Mary? Some perfume rare.
Pour it upon His head, ’twill flow
In fragrance everywhere.

And Dorcas, what hast thou?
A needle and some thread.
Give them to God, they’ll bless the poor
And bring thee from the dead.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Widow? Two mites, no more.
Give them to God, and they shall grow
To be a mighty store.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Mother? A baby’s hand.
Train it for Him, so shall thy life
Bear fruit in every land.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Writer? A common pen.
Use it to write His messages
Upon the hearts of men.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Teacher? A child’s young mind.
Teach it to live for God and man,
So shalt thou bless mankind.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Toiler? A workman’s tool.
Work like the Carpenter, and find
Thy task God’s training school.

And sister, what has thou?
An apron and a broom.
Do thy work well; some day, perhaps
Thou’lt keep His palace home.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Preacher? The Word of God.
Shed forth the light until its beams
Shall light the earth abroad.

What has thou in thy hand?
A censer filled with prayer.
Send up the incense till it fall
In blessing everywhere.

What hast thou in thy hand,
Steward? Some precious gold.
Give it to God, it will return
In wealth of joy untold.

What is that in thy hand,
Sinner? Another day.
Use it to find thy God before
Thy season pass away.

Wait not, O man, to find
Some call to service grand.
Give back what God to thee has given.
What hast thou in thy hand?

From Songs of the Spirit: Poetry by A. B. Simpson. Public Domain