This scene in Pharaoh's court is a living picture of a glorious truth: when God goes to work, nothing can stand against Him. Nothing.

Whenever God plants a divine principle in someone's heart, the devil will rush in with his counterfeits. He will produce swarms of opponents. But mark this well: as surely as God is in the work, it will swallow up every enemy. The world's magicians may throw down their rods. Every rod may be as cunning and poisonous as a serpent. But Aaron's rod will devour them all.

When God's grace takes hold of a person, watch what happens! The sweet attractions of the cross woo and win the heart. The one who lived only for this deceitful earth suddenly has eyes for heaven and wings to mount into celestial heights. When grace wins the day, the worldling becomes a pilgrim. The earth-bound soul starts seeking the world to come.

Look at your own life, believer. What multitudes of foes has your faith had to meet! Your old sins—the devil threw them down before you, and they turned to serpents. What hosts of them! Ah, but the cross of Jesus destroys them all. Faith in Christ makes short work of every sin.

Then the devil launches forth another host of serpents: worldly trials, temptations, waves of unbelief. But faith in Jesus is more than a match for them. It overcomes them all.

The same absorbing principle shines in the faithful service of God! When you love Jesus with enthusiastic passion, difficulties are surmounted. Sacrifices become pleasures. Sufferings turn into honors. Love this strong transforms everything it touches.

But if true religion is thus a consuming passion in the heart, then it follows that many who profess religion do not actually possess it. What they have will not bear this test.

So examine yourself on this point. Aaron's rod proved its heaven-given power by what it consumed. Is your religion doing so? Here is the truth that matters: if Christ is anything to you, He must be everything. O rest not until love for Jesus and faith in Jesus become the master passions of your soul!