Faith - Moses' Choice

The Epistle to the Hebrews uses Moses as an illustration of what Christian faith is like. For one thing, it makes calculations - Moses put more weight on the outcome of his faith than on all the pleasures of Egypt. He took account of the unseen God and Christ, distinguishing between God's people and the rest of the world, and between the ways God dealt with one group and the other. So we long for the blessings of God's people (Psalm 106:4-5). Faith also makes ethical choices ('the pleasures of sin') and keeps the goal in view; Moses waited for God to fulfil his promises, we wait for Jesus' return in glory. Christian faith makes a decisive choice (and it is repeated frequently) - to identify with God's people and live by his Word even if that means suffering reproach. The hostility of the world is age-old, and is the result of God starting to rescue people out of fallen humanity (Genesis 3:15; Acts 2:40). We, too, must count the cost (Luke 14:25-33). Faith places greater weight on the last part of life (the return of Christ) than the present. Moses could have been deeply discouraged if he had thought only of present success or failure. We should also remember Jesus, 'who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame'. Our faith will receive what it expected. Was worthwhile for Moses and for Jesus; it will be worthwhile for you, too.