Choosing rather to suffer

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 11v24-26

We all face choices in life. For most of us Moses’ choice would have seemed easy. He could have been called ‘the son of Pharaoh’s daughter’ or he could have become a slave with the rest of his people.

“The son of Pharaoh’s daughter’ would have meant that he would probably be Pharaoh one day. At the very least he would have lived in opulence and splendour and had it made. He could have rationalised it with thoughts like, ‘look at the impact I could have in the palace.’

Instead he chose to pass up the pleasures of sin (interesting to note that the Bible refers to the ‘pleasures of sin’) for the reproach of Christ.

Why make a choice like that? Because he knew that the reproach for Christ was far better in the long run than all the riches of Egypt. Nothing could compare to doing what God wanted in the long run.

We need to ask ourselves what guides out choices. Do we make decisions based on the prestige and the ‘stuff’ or do we make decisions based on what God wants for us?

It is far, far better to do God’s will even if it means suffering and reproach here and now, for the eternal reward is the one that we need to be looking forward to.