40 Days of Faith: Day 25

Hebrews 11:24-25 – By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Have you ever had to take a stand for your faith because of the principle of the matter? One of our deacons, in a new job, and at the bottom of the organization chart, was on a trip with some of the leadership. It was time for lunch, and the leader chose a restaurant called Twin Peaks. It is an establishment catering to men by employing women who are young and willing to wear extremely small and tight outfits. One might say that the food is not the real draw.

The team agreed with their leader that Twin Peaks would be an amazing lunch. This young man, with no influence or ability to drive himself elsewhere had to simply ride along. But this young man also had a decision to make when it came time to exit the vehicle and enter the restaurant.

His father, recounting the story to a few of us, was beaming with pride when he said, “And do you know what he did? He got out of the vehicle and just told the guys that he would wait outside because he didn’t feel comfortable going into the restaurant.”

That’s what conviction looks like. It stands alone, flees immorality, speaks against injustice, even when it is costly. This young man loved Jesus more than the approval of men and so, the choice was pretty simple for him.

What does strong conviction have to do with faith? How are the two related?

Strong conviction has its roots in faith – that if I honor God, God will honor me. Strong conviction comes because our identity of being in Christ is our predominant influence. It’s our faith in Jesus that informs how we carry ourselves, what we will eat or drink, with whom we will associate, and whether or not we will stand for what is right or look the other way.

The strength of our convictions comes from understanding our identity. That’s Moses’ story. Once grown, he chose to stand with his fellow Hebrews. We see this stand play out in his reaction to injustice. Notice Exodus 2:11-12:
11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
Notice that verse 11 says, “…he went out to his people and looked on their burdens.” Moses didn’t have the burdens that they had. He grew up in the palace. Seeing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he took matters into his own hands.

The next day, Moses sees two Hebrews in a quarrel. Notice Exodus 2:13-14:
13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?”

Nearly every time I have read this, I have seen the fact that Moses’ killing of the Egyptian goes public. Somebody saw what he did! But if you back up and see the back and forth between Moses and the Hebrew man who was in the wrong, you see an interesting exchange. Moses is trying to see that his people live in peace. I’m sure that his clothes were very different from those of the Hebrew slaves. But the question that is posed is fascinating. It says, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?”

Moses could have replied, “My adoptive mom, Pharaoh’s daughter. I’m the son of a princess.” What’s also fascinating to think about is the fact that in the third phase of Moses’ life, he will be the leader and judge over Israel.

But Moses’ identity was never wrapped up in his address, his possessions, what he had been spared by growing up in the king’s palace, and the trappings that come along with wealth.  No, even here in this moment, Moses is burdened for his people. That’s what led him to kill the Egyptian, and it is what will lead him to flea Pharaoh’s court and live in exile.
Moses convictions were for God’s people and their well-being versus his own. As a result, he risked what he enjoyed in order to stand for what he saw to be right and just.

Are you willing to risk your reputation, your position, or your status amongst friends because of your love for Jesus? Are you more comfortable around their sin, or standing alone? Faith is living a set apart life that is pleasing to God.

Moses could have enjoyed a lifetime of luxury in Pharaoh’s palace, but by faith, he chose instead to identify with God’s people—even when it meant suffering and loss. In the same way, that deacon chose to quietly take a stand, refusing to compromise his convictions for the sake of fitting in. Faith that pleases God is faith that sets us apart. It shapes how we live, where we go, what we watch, and the company we keep. It may cost us popularity, opportunities, or comfort, but it anchors us in something far greater: our identity as children of God. Today, ask yourself: Where is God calling me to live set apart? Is there a place in my life where I’ve been compromising instead of standing? Choose to honor Him above all else, and trust that His reward is better than the fleeting approval of this world.

Prayer:
Holy God, thank You for calling me out of darkness and setting me apart as Your child. Forgive me for the times I’ve sought comfort, approval, or acceptance more than I’ve sought to please You. Give me the courage to stand for what is right, even when it is unpopular or costly. Root my convictions deeply in my identity in Christ and let my life reflect the beauty of holiness. May my choices, my words, and my actions point others to You and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.