Moses lived an interesting life.  It was a life of extremes, some of which were determined by the decisions he made.  He was born at a time when Pharoah commanded the midwives to kill all of the babies that were born male because he was afraid the Jews were becoming too numerous and, if war broke out, they would join with the enemies of Egypt (Exodus 1:9-10).  His plan failed, however, because the midwives feared God and would not do as he commanded.

Pharoah then commanded all his people to cast any of the Hebrew babies born male into the Nile.  Moses escaped this fate because his parents, by faith, hid him for three months (Hebrews 11:23).  Then they placed him in a basket and put it among the reeds of the river bank where he was discovered by Pharoah’s daughter.  Thus, providentially, Moses was raised as Pharoah’s daughter, enjoying all the perks that go along with it.

Acts 7:21-22 (ESV)
²¹  And when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. ²²  And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

Most people would cling to such privilege, but Moses made the decision to give it up, sacrificing it to be with the people of God.

Hebrews 11:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴  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.

Moses made the decision to be numbered with God’s people even though it meant exchanging privilege for persecution.  He decided to sacrifice.  What was behind this decision?

First, Moses understood that the pleasures of this world are only temporary.  The Hebrews writer referred to it as “the fleeting pleasures of sin.”  Second, Moses had his eyes on greater wealth than the things of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26).  We, too, will make the decision to sacrifice for the Lord when we realize that the things of this world are temporary, and we keep our eyes focused on our eternal reward.

Have you decided to sacrifice for the Lord?  We may not yet know what it is that we must sacrifice, but our attitude should be that if anything or anyone becomes a hindrance to our service to God, we will give it up.  Paul demonstrated this by counting “everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

Some are unwilling to sacrifice a relationship with members of their family, even when God says they must (1 Corinthians 5:11).  Some refuse to sacrifice associating with the ungodly, even though the Bible warns us against it (1 Corinthians 15:33).  Some will not sacrifice various forms of recreation or entertainment that are monopolizing their time, even though Jesus said we must seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

If we are to reach our full potential and be what God desires us to be spiritually, we must be willing to sacrifice anything that stands in the way of this.  What will you decide? 

As you wind down for the night, think about these things