Joy That Lasts (Heb. 11:24, 25)
" 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" (Heb. 11:24, 25, NKJV). What principles of the Christian life are found in these verses?(See also Luke 9:23, Acts 14:22, Phil. 1:29.) How can we link those above verses with the promise of joy? (See Heb. 11:16, 1 Pet. 1:6-8).
Moses' decision to turn his back on the throne of Egypt was definitely not politically correct. He might have decided to stay in Egypt and become the next Pharaoh. He might have rationalized such a move to be God's will for him. After all, it might not have been that hard to do, because there are often so many "good" reasons to make a wrong decision.
Think upon the last time you made a wrong decision based on "good" reasons. What hard lessons did you learn?
While joy comes from knowing we are within the will of God, the immediate consequences often may be difficult and painful. To believe that when we accept Jesus and obey His Word all our problems will disappear can lead to disillusionment. Becoming a committed Christian is no assurance of money, fame, and influence. Each year thousands are persecuted, some even martyred, for their faith.
In the end, our hope, our salvation, everything has to depend upon something greater than this world, greater than what this world offers. How crucial that, no matter what we are going through, we focus on what Jesus has done for us and what He has promised us. Otherwise, we have nothing else but what this world in and of itself offers, and as we all know, what it offers can at times be very bitter.
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