Moses’ Self-Denying Faith

The faith of Moses was a sacrificial faith, a faith that chose God and God’s people rather than this world and its pleasures. Moses was reared as a prince in Pharaoh’s court. This means that he had everything that a person could ever want. But ultimately Moses gave it all up. He sacrificed everything for God and His promises, the promised Seed and Promised Land. The day came when Moses had to make the most critical decision of his life. He faced as large a crisis as any individual could face. Was he going to be identified as an Egyptian all the days of his life, or was he going to become identified with the people of God? Was he going to pursue the pleasures of Egypt and this world or pursue God and His promises? When Moses was forty years old, he faced the crisis and made the decision.

Moses had often seen the Israelites abused during his forty years as an Egyptian prince. But apparently this most recent incident (Ex.2:11–12) was the final straw; he had seen enough of the mistreatment of his people. He made the decision that launched a number of decisions—decisions that were to show that he was rejecting Egypt and the world and identifying himself with God’s people.

The point is this: Moses gave up all the pleasures and enjoyment of Egypt and the world—gave it all up. He sacrificed everything for God and God’s people, the very people who had been given the hope for the promised Seed and the Promised Land.

Following Christ is never easy, not if you are truly following Him. Why? Because His call is contrary to what most people think. His call is a call to love, joy, and peace; but it is not a call to a life of ease, comfort, and plenty. The call of Christ is not to physical and material health and wealth. To the contrary, the call of Christ is to a life of self-denial and sacrifice. If you are going to follow Christ, you have to be willing to sacrifice everything you are and have (Lk.9:23; 18:22). Moses is a prime example of a believer who gave up all that the world has to offer in order to follow God and His promises. His faith was a self-denying faith.

1. Why do you think it is so often hard to identify with Christ?
2. Is self-denial and self-sacrifice hard for you? Why do you think that is?
3. Is there something going on in your life that is contrary to what you believe? How have you handled that?
4. Is there a specific call from God you are avoiding?