THE GREAT FAITH OF MOSES

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By faith Moses . . . considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.  Hebrews 11:24–27

On July 4, 1952, long-distance swimmer Florence Chadwick dove into the Pacific Ocean off Catalina Island. She planned to swim the twenty-plus miles to the California coast. But the conditions that day were not in her favor. The water was icy and the fog nearly impossible to see through. Several times her team drove sharks away with rifle fire. She could barely even see the boat she was following. After fifteen hours in the water, she gave out. Her trainer urged her on, but all she could see was fog. She quit—one mile from her goal. She said later, “If I could have seen the land I might have made it.”

Two months later in clear weather, Florence swam the channel successfully, setting a new speed record. There was no fog, and she could clearly see her goal. Because the land was in sight, she endured to the end.

Faith is like that. When the promises of God are clear, we can endure—despite the obstacles that are before us. Moses faced the anger of the king and the reproach associated with the people of God. But he endured to the end because he saw Him who is invisible. The consequences he was facing did not daunt him.

The promises of God may be unseen to the natural eyes, but they are perceived by the eye of faith. These promises are eternal, unchanging, and permanent. For heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word stands forever.

Great faith sees the promises of God.

Apply

1. Hope is a clear picture of what God wants to do in and through your life. The clearer the picture, the stronger your hope. How clear is your picture and how strong is your hope? What can you do to strengthen it?
2. We inherit the promises through faith and patience. What specific promise from God are you waiting on at this time? What are the challenges you are facing as you wait? How can you encourage yourself to continue to hold onto God’s promise while you wait?

Pray

Confession of Faith

Adapted from 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 6:12; Romans 5:3–5; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:1–3;
Colossians 1:11; Psalms 62:2, 112:7–8; Ephesians 6:11.

Because Jesus Christ gives me the victory, I am steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that my toil in the Lord is not in vain. I am not sluggish, but I imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. 

I rejoice in tribulation because it brings perseverance, and perseverance proven character, and proven character hope, and hope does not disappoint. I do not lose heart in doing good, and in due season I will reap—because I do not grow weary. I run the race with endurance by fixing my eyes on Jesus, who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross. I do not grow weary and lose heart. 

I am strengthened with all power to have great endurance and patience. I will never be shaken. I do not fear evil tidings. My heart is steadfast trusting in you. My heart is upheld; I do not fear. I will look with satisfaction on all my enemies. I stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Memorize

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11–12

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” 

—Augustine of Hippo, Second Century African-Roman Theologian