WHAT IS THAT IN THY HAND? A.B.Simpson

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 hast 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 hast 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 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?