7 Minute Read + Scripture readings
TODAY’S BIBLE READING:
Ezekiel 27:1–28:26
Hebrews 11:17-31
Psalm 111:1-10
Proverbs 27:15-16
TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
Hebrews 11:26 (CSB): “For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.”
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
Hebrews 11 is often called “The Hall of Faith.” It is filled with short references to men and women who trusted in the Lord. With all of them, their faith in God enabled them to be victorious in their trials.
Yet, “victory” meant different things to each one of them. With some, it meant that they remained calm and carried on in trials. With others, it meant that their story in this life had the proverbial happy ending. Yet, with others, it meant that they were able to endure really bad things in their life because they were looking to their heavenly reward after their death.
In our Verse for Today, we read of Moses. We are told that he had a heavenly perspective. He was willing to let go of a life that would have virtually guaranteed him fame, fortune, leisure, and possibly health and other things.
For what did he give all of it up? A life of wandering in the wilderness for 40 years by himself as a shepherd and then another 40 years as the leader of Israel.
While the Old Testament narrative doesn’t clarify Moses’ perspective for us, the writer of Hebrews tells us that Moses acted in faith. He didn’t give a rip about holding onto the treasures that this life held out to him. He was willing to forego much of what could be enjoyable and replace it with trials. Why? Because he was looking farther down the road. He was looking to his heavenly reward.
Hebrews 11:26 (CSB): “For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.”
Friend, this is a great time for us to do a heart check. What are you living for? Are you living for this life? Do you resent it when God allows trials to come into your life, some of which you may deal with until your dying day? Are you unwilling to forego some of the pleasures to be found in this life so that you can follow the Lord?
Or are your eyes focused on your heavenly reward? Does that perspective allow you to forego many of this life’s pleasures … and be OK with it? Does it allow you to endure the difficulties of this life knowing that you will see your Lord when you cross the finish line?
Friend, a follower-of-Jesus is supposed to focus on the life to come. We realize that this life isn’t Heaven. It is only an opportunity for the Lord to see how faithful we are as we love and serve Him.
So, work to develop a mind that focuses on your eternal reward. Ask God to develop this mindset in you. Be like the heroes of the faith who, even though life got incredibly tough, were able to find comfort in looking to their Heavenly home.
Matthew 16:24-27 (CSB): “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done.'”
Matt’s Musings 