Ill treatment or passing pleasures? -Hebrews 11 part 10

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up,

refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

choosing rather to endure ill-treatment

with the people of God,

than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;

considering the reproach of Christ

greater riches than the treasures of Egypt,

for he was looking to the reward."

(vs 24-25)

This is a powerfully thought provoking passage - and it spanks me bad!!

Moses was carried safely in his basket made of reeds to the safe harbor of the palace of the very king who had decreed his death! God is powerful - much more powerful than the greatest of earthly potentates. Remember that, dear one!

Moses grows up in Pharoah's court. He is well educated, well fed, well dressed, well everythinged! He was as Pharoah's own son. He ran with the big dogs and had the opportunity to inherit big rewards!

But nope! Not Moses! Though raised in the palace of a pagan king, the covenant of grace had taken hold of his heart and mind. Somehow, by the grace of God, Moses knew he was the son of a greater King - the King of kings - Jehovah the God of Israel. That was more important to him than all the power and wealth of Egypt. Would it be to us?

Henry writes: "Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, whose foundling he was, and her fondling too! How glorious was the triumph of his faith. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter lest he should undervalue the truer honor of being a son of Abraham, the father of the faithful; lest it should look like renouncing his religion as wells as his relation to Israel; and no doubt both these he must have done if he had accepted this honor.

"He was willing to take his lot with the people of God here, though it was a suffering lot, that he might have his portion with them hereafter (vs 25). Herein he acted rationally as well as religiously. The pleasures of sin must end in speedy repentance or in speedy ruin. The pleasures of this world, and especially those of a court, are too often the pleasure of sin. A true believer will despise them. Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin, there being more evil in the least sin than there can be in the greatest suffering."

Whoa! (Going for the sackcloth and ashes once again!) Indulge me to turn to Mr. Henry once more:

"See how Moses weighs matters: in one scale he put the WORST of religion - the reproaches of Christ, in the other scale he puts the BEST of the world - the treasures of Egypt (vs 26). For Moses, the worst of religion wieghted down the best of the world!"

Which side are the scales tipping for us? What are our eyes fixed upon? The now or the not yet? Do we walk by faith or feelings? Do we live for our lusts or our Lord?

Pause with me, honestly for a moment. Can it be said of you, can it be said of me, as it was said of Moses: "choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin"? Which side of the scale holds the most weight? God, make us willing to suffer for the Christ who has suffered all hell for us!

Humbled, convicted, and weighing,

Lori