The Faith of Moses

When we consider the life of Moses, we can see that God had a plan for him right from the beginning. The story unfolds as his parents hid him for 3 months, and then floated him down the river in a basket, there to be found by Pharoah's daughter, who decides to adopt him as her own son. The plan of God is revealed step by step from the beginning to the end of Moses' life. His first 40 years were spent in Pharoah's household, but at 40 years old, the true heart of Moses came out as he went to see his people and looked on their burdens. In 2 days Moses' life was changed forever, and he fled to Midian, where he lived for the next 40 years. When he arrived in Midian the 7 daughters of the priest of Midian came to draw water, but the shepherds came and drove them away. At that point Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. This simple gesture of standing up for these women and helping them, opened the door for the next 40 years of his life. Because he stood up for what was right, he stood out to the priest of Midian, who asked about him, and invited him to come eat at his house. Moses married Zipporah, a daughter of the priest, and Moses lived there 40 years. Because Moses stood up, he stood out, and stood in the place God had for him. It is always right to do the right thing, and doing the right thing does not go unnoticed. "Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right" Pro. 20:11. So if a child is known by his deeds, how much more an adult is known by his deeds. When we faithfully stand up for the things God has put in our heart, we will stand out from among the rest, and this will open doors into the place God has for us to serve. "And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Gal. 6:9. It was Moses' faith that determined his life's direction: what he refused, what he choose, what he valued, what he looked for, what he forsook, what he kept, and what he left behind. The faith of Moses serves as an encouragement and a pattern for us to follow in living by faith today.

The Test of Offence

A leader will be tested to see if he/she can be offended. It seems that there are certain people that come into our lives that are there to test our character, and God is using them to test and grow our character. I think of the life of Joseph, and how he was tested. Ps. 105:17-19 says, "He sent a man before them - Joseph - who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him." Joseph went through a tremendous test. He was faithfully serving his master, not having done anything wrong, yet he was falsely accused, and was put in the prison. It would be so difficult to be put in prison for something you have not done. What about Joseph's feelings toward this woman who accused him? Did he not have reason to be angry? What did he think about this woman? She was the reason he was in the prison. Wouldn't he feel a sense of hurt, and betrayal, and a desire for justice? How could he not feel ill toward this lady? Yet there seems to be no ill feelings in Joseph. His spirt was pure, and without bitterness. Joseph saw that this situation was a test from God that would reveal his character. The test revealed Joseph to be of excellent character, and at the timing of God, Joseph was released out of the prison into leadership of Egypt. "The king sent and released him. The ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions. To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom." So the next time someone comes into your life that tests your character, realize that passing this test is crucial to your next promotion from God. The tests reveal our character, and show God how much He can trust us with more of His kingdom!
Ps. 119:165 "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."