By Faith: Choose!
Scripture Reading — Exodus 2:1-14; Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses … chose to be mistreated along with the people of God …
Hebrews 11:24-25
Moses had been raised in Pharaoh’s palace, in the lap of luxury. Yet he struggled with the question of his true identity. Am I an Egyptian or a Hebrew? Are Egypt’s gods my gods or is the Hebrew God my God?
Let’s give Moses some credit. He had the faith and courage to confess that his true identity was with the Hebrew slaves rather than with the Egyptian masters. He chose for the poor and oppressed rather than the rich and powerful.
Of course, to choose for one thing is to choose against something else. One cannot choose “heads” and at the same time have “tails.” Similarly, when you marry one person, you cannot have another.
In some cases it can be tough to live the rest of your life with the decisions or choices you make.
Could that be a reason why people hold off making commitments—to others, or to God? Current wisdom says: Keep your options open. Don’t choose.
This, of course, is just an excuse to avoid decision making.
And when it comes to God, not to choose is to choose against! In fact, not to choose is to lose—by default.
Choose, friends. Choose for the long term, not for short-term pleasures.
Let it be known who and whose you are.
Dear God, help us to choose … for you. Help us to choose for your people. Help us to choose for justice more than for luxury or worldly success. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About the author — Gordon Pols
Rev. Gordon Pols and his wife, Ann, have two married children and two grandchildren. After serving four congregations in Western and Central Canada, Rev. Pols retired from active ministry in 2007. He is currently doing parttime pastoral work with West End Christian Reformed Church, Edmonton, Alberta. He also works parttime for Crossroad Bible Institute, promoting a Bible study correspondence course for prison inmates.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!