Read

Hebrews 11:23-31

²³It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid of what the king might do.

²⁴It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. ²⁵He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. ²⁶He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him. ²⁷It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. ²⁸It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

²⁹It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians followed, they were all drowned.

³⁰It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

³¹It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Reflect

We live in a society that demands, “what have you done for me lately”? Everyone is so concerned with obtaining the latest “bling”. Driving the newest car, wearing the latest designer label, having the latest electronic gadget. We have to have our food fast and plenty of it. We get super-biggie size drinks and fries. We demand immediate gratification.

Moses had it all. He was an adopted prince of Egypt. He was a prince and could have all of the riches of the kingdom. He could have every pleasure imaginable yet, we read that rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time, he regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt. He was looking ahead to the rewards he would receive in God’s kingdom.

Respond

What immediate pleasures have you denied yourself in order to serve God?

Have you ever faced a “wall of water on all sides” in your life?

I’m sure the Israelites thought it pretty silly to march around a city for seven days. But yet they did it and the walls came down. Have you ever done something you thought was silly for the sake of Christ?

===================================================
If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.