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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Faith, #18
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26)
When it becomes necessary faith always turns away from the luxuries of civilization and chooses affliction. Moses was a favorite in one of the most luxurious palaces one could imagine—the palace of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Yet Moses chose to be identified with the Israelite slaves.
The Bible commands us to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. The believers in the wealthy nations of our day are often soft, not hard. The idea of suffering is very distasteful to them. Some pastors and evangelists who worship their own stomach realize how much the "believers" fear any kind of suffering or discomfort. They preach "rapture, rapture, rapture, prosperity, health, eternal security, God loves you, unconditional, lawless grace, Jesus did it all and there is nothing for you to do."
Satan knows that judgment is coming. He does not want the believers to prepare themselves for the evil day and so he tells them there will be no evil day. Then when the evil day comes—and it certainly is coming!—many believers will be unable to stand or to help others to stand. This is Satan's motive and his strategy has been successful.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
Notice that Moses was willing to suffer disgrace for the Lord's sake, regarding such disgrace as worth more than the wealth of Egypt. This was because Moses was looking ahead to the reward.
We can only keep on carrying our cross if joy is set before us. Our faith thinks about the joy that will be ours some day and by this joy we are able to continue to move forward.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Faith looks past our present comfort (if we are in one of the wealthy nations) and prepares for the persecution and tribulation that is ahead.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27)
Faith always requires action of some kind. The eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews is a record of actions that people took. Works of obedience and righteousness are the very life of faith.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17)
Moses kept his eyes fixed on the invisible Lord. We also by faith can persevere to the end of our discipleship by keeping our eyes fixed on the invisible Lord.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (Hebrews 11:28)
When Moses kept the Passover he did not have the Law to refer to. God told him to sprinkle blood on the two doorposts. Moses did what he was commanded. Moses always did what he was commanded, with the one exception of striking the rock instead of speaking to it.
To be continued.