Walk By Faith

Daily Devotional – Saturday, September 23, 2023
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

In the eyes of the average Hebrew or Egyptian, Moses was a fool. While his people were suffering and dying under Egyptian slavery, he was living large as an Egyptian prince. How could a person who had the chance of succeeding Pharaoh abuse such a privilege? What the ordinary person could not understand, though, was that Moses had chosen to walk by faith, not by sight.

By Faith He Forsook Egypt

Here is Paul’s inspired commentary on Moses’ circumstances and decision:
“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. By faith, he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:24-27).

From a human point of view, Moses had nothing to lose by enjoying his privileges as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Indeed, he underwent the best education Egypt could offer a future king. In the palace, he lacked nothing. All pleasures were at his disposal. While Egyptian guards harassed and killed the hapless Israelites, Moses had round-the-clock protection from elite soldiers.

Following the Invisible God

Why, then, did, Moses reject the pleasures, luxuries, power and influence of Egypt, and chose instead, to suffer like his Hebrew brethren? If Moses was to adopt Paul’s manner of expression, he would tell the Israelites of his day, “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). In other words, the pleasures and power of Egypt are fleeting but the reward of serving God is eternal.

The contemporary Christian faces the same situation as Moses. Around us are enticing desires that can excite of souls for a moment. The devil has set traps everywhere for us as he attempts to convince us to abandon the journey to eternity. So tantalizing are the sinful practices of the world that we feel awkward if we do not partake of them. Indeed, we appear to many of our friends as fools who forego pleasure in the hope of eternal life.

Walk By Faith

That is why we walk by faith. We know that what God has prepared for us now and in the hereafter far exceeds any other pleasure of position of power. Though we may experience the reproach of Christ, we do not give up because we know we shall live in eternal bliss with Him soon. On the day we shall see Him who is invisible, our current sacrifices, persecutions and pain will be reasons for joy, not sorrow.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, amidst all the pleasures and enticements the world offers, help me to walk by faith, looking forward to the riches of eternal life.