September 15
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward,” Hebrews 11:24-26.
The above verses describe the life of Moses as a man of faith from the time that he grew up. Obviously, during his youthful years when his parents reared him, he learned the truths about God’s promises, especially the promise of God to send a Savior into the world, and the promise of God that He would deliver the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. After Moses left his parents’ home, Pharaoh’s daughter brought him up as her own son. In the Book of Acts, we are told, “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds,” Acts 7:22. He was well educated in Egyptian surroundings.
However, Moses knew all about the bondage of his own people, and Scripture reports, “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel,” Acts 7:23. He, “Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” Rather than living in the conveniences of the king’s court, Moses decided to suffer with the children of Israel who were in bondage. Though the fulfillment of many of God’s promises lay in the future, his faith was firm that God would indeed fulfill His promises. The treasures of Egypt would come and go, but the blessings of God would be for time and eternity.
Moses and the children of Israel walked by faith when God instructed them to celebrate the first Passover, by which they were saved from death by the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and above their doors. The firstborn child was killed in each Egyptian home, but the children of Israel were spared as the Lord passed through the land of Egypt on a given night.
Their faith was tested after they left the land of Egypt and came to the Red Sea. Before them was the water, and behind them were the pursuing armies of Pharaoh who were determined to take them back into captivity. Trusting the command of God through Moses, they walked by faith on dry land as the Red Sea was separated by the power of the almighty God.
Yes, there were many times when the children of Israel complained bitterly against Moses and against God, and Moses’ faith was shaken. However, in the end he always turned to the Lord, trusting that God would fulfill His promises. So we take our journey through life bearing our burdens and carrying our crosses and enduring whatever God is pleased to send us or to allow to come our way. We keep the faith in God’s promises for this life and for the next. We have His promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6.
In spirit, we bow at the foot of the cross and hear the Savior say, “It is finished!” John 19:30. The work for our redemption is completed. Our sins are washed away. By faith in Jesus, we make God’s forgiveness our very own. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him,” Romans 5:8-9.
“I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall.
I am trusting Thee forever,
And for all.” Amen.