Daily Day by Day by Grace

(Hebrews 11:24-26)

Moses Esteeming Christ’s Riches above Egypt’s, by Faith
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. (Hebrews 11:24-26)

By faith, Moses renounced his place of privilege in Pharaoh’s family, choosing to identify himself with God’s people. He knew that loss and suffering awaited him. Yet, he was strengthened by faith to make this life-shaping decision by esteeming Christ’s riches above Egypt’s.

When Moses identified with the Israelites, he was joining himself to the people of the Messiah, the Anointed One (the Christ). From the earliest days, the people of God had been promised an Anointed Deliverer. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He [the Savior] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel… I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you [by the coming of Messiah] all the families of the earth shall be blessed…The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Prince of Peace] comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 3:15; 12:3; and 49:10).

Yet, this heaven-sent King (Jesus), as well as His people, would encounter reproach. “He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him…Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 53:3 and 60:14). In spite of such reproach, Moses joined himself to the Messiah and His people. Moses understood that he was more blessed to stand with a divine, though despised, Messiah than to have all the material treasures of Egypt: “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” He made this wise evaluation by considering the eternal consequences: “for he looked to the reward.” He anticipated eternal realities that subsequent men of God would powerfully proclaim. “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…Whereas you have been forsaken and hated…I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations” (Psalm 73:26 and Isaiah 60:15).

Dear Jesus, the Christ, my Messiah, I want to stand with You and Your people, even if it means sharing in Your reproach. I know that You will strengthen me now and be my portion forever. By Your eternal excellencies make me a joy to others now, as I await with eager anticipation Your everlasting kingdom, Amen.

Daily Promises – (Psalm 91:4-6)

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.

(NIV)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psa 91:5 -You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
Psa 91:6 -nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

References: Ps.17:8> Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Ps.35:2> Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.

Job 5:21>You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.

Focus Points: God shelters and protects us when we are afraid, sick, or in deep trouble. The writer’s faith in the almighty God as his protector would carry him through all of life’s dangers and fears. This is a picture of how we should trust God-trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter how intense they may be. To do this, we must “dwell” and “rest” with him. ((91:1).By entrusting our daily devotion to him, we acknowledge that he will keep us safe. Takie refuge in the Lord, O believer! Take courage in His mighty strength! Take comfort in His sure defense! Rejoice in the power of his hands to accomplish good for his people . He is strong and he is loving-so truth in Him and proclaim His truth boldly among the nations!