Moses - Forsaking Egypt
One of the most difficult tasks of the Christian can be trusting a God we have never seen. It is hard to see beyond the faces of those offering immediate rewards and to trust in the “invisible” God who promises great gifts beyond our present circumstances.
Yet, this is exactly what “faith” does. It looks beyond the visible into the invisible. It rejects all merely human offers and accepts the divine. It sees above our present atmosphere into heavenly realms.
In Hebrews 11:27, this was one of the traits that made Moses great. The text says, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Imagine the tough circumstances of Moses. He was leaving the domesticated expertise of Egypt to go into an uncultivated land. He was giving up the rich crops that came from the Nile’s banks for the unseen promise of a “land that flows with milk and honey.” He was challenging the visibly, mightiest man and army in the land with a weak, enslaved people whose main claim to power was the unseen God. He was willing to stand in the face of Pharaoh and make demands because He felt the powerful face of God before Him also, though unseen.
This lesson must be learned to live by faith.
God may not be seen, but His presence must be remembered in our every action.
God is watching: He knows if we are serving our boss more than Him at work. He knows if we respect His will for marriage and parenting or if we ignore it. He knows if our worship is sincere or indifferent. He knows if our friends are greater influences in our life than Him and His Word.
What must you forsake to please God? The Almighty is always watching and will bring every work into judgment (Ecc. 12:14). Will you forsake Him or draw near?
March 2007