“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Hebrews 11:24-26
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
– Hebrews 11:24-26
Main Thought: We all know very well the story of Moses, a child rescued from the Nile River by Pharoah’s daughter and raised among the royal family as her son. However, in time Moses discovered that he was not an Egyptian by birth, but was of the Hebrews. We are told here that Moses, rather than choosing to stay among the Egyptians with an accompanying life of riches and ease, chose instead by faith the pains and afflictions of God’s people. What a striking example of someone who walked by faith and believed in the only true God, and did not choose temporal ease and pleasures and remain among the pagan gods of the Egyptians. He understood by faith that the reward that would come to him was eternal, “greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.” Like the Egyptians, most in our world are choosing the pleasures of this world, the kingdom of here and now, ignoring the eternal consequences of the sin and pleasure that is leading them down a wide path (Matt. 7:13) to destruction. There are many in Hebrews 11 who demonstrated this same walk of faith in the eternal God as Moses did, living as light, not darkness in a perverse world that disdained them because they walked with God and lived by faith before them. But Moses’ testimony, and all the rest of these Old Testament saints, is a testimony for all of us to not be “conformed to this world, but be transformed” (Rom. 12:2). The question we must ask ourselves is are we, as Moses, choosing to walk by faith with God, looking to our eternal reward, or are we instead choosing “Egypt,” valuing this world above Christ and the eternal reward He has prepared for all His children? It is a question worth asking, for the answer reveals whether or not we have faith in God or have a love first for this world. I pray that you and I will continue to choose reproaches in Christ above this world and culture, revealing that we truly “walk by faith, and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19