Short-Sighted Or Long-Sighted

The faith of a mother in Almighty God launched her son on to the Providence of God as the basket which carried him floated into the arms of Pharaoh’s daughter. The sovereignty of God over the child’s life continued as his own mother was called … and then paid by Pharaoh’s household, to nurse him!

Only God could have arranged for this Hebrew baby to be brought up in the very household, where a decree had been issued for the death of Hebrew baby boys. When Pharaoh’s cruelty was at its highest, Israel’s deliverer was born and nurtured at Egypt’s heart. God had indeed spread a table for Moses in the midst of his enemies, right from his earliest days through to adulthood. Thus he was raised and educated at the pinnacle of royalty enjoying all the privileges that such a life in the household of Pharaoh would offer. Faith in God ultimately sets us above the schemes of men.

Inevitably, however, the day came when, like each of us, Moses had to choose for himself. But the trappings of wealth had not claimed his heart nor dulled his vision.

We read that ‘By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward’ (Hebrews 11:24-26).

Contrast this with Samson, also chosen by divine appointment from birth to be a deliverer of Israel, and whose birth was even heralded by divine visitation. However, when he came of age his poor life choices and lack of reverence and respect for his divine calling ultimately cost him not only his sight but his vision, and resulted in derision at the hands of his enemies. Though the potential for his life was great, his character had failed him. But for the enduring grace of God, his destiny lay in tatters.

In an increasingly materialistic and ‘instant’ world, the saying ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in a bush’, can seem to carry more weight than‘enduring as seeing Him who is invisible.’ Those who are spiritually short-sighted, and who choose the transience of the temporal, will ultimately find that nothing remains. The pleasures of sin will not only have passed, but will have robbed them of the joy of receiving the true and lasting riches of the eternal God. But for those who choose the reproach of Christ – the greatest riches of all – the best is yet to come.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us like Moses not to be deceived by the transient pleasures of sin, but to keep our eyes fixed on You, for You indeed are our reward, in Jesus’ name, Amen.