During the Cold War (1947–1991), a time of tension between the world’s
superpowers, Albert Einstein said, “I know not with what weapons World War III
will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” It was
a moment of clarity that focused on the consequences of the choice to fight a
nuclear war. Regardless of the motives for making such a choice, the results
would be devastating.
Unfortunately, we don’t always see ahead with such clarity. Sometimes
the implications of our choices are hard to anticipate. And sometimes we are
thinking only in the moment.
According to Hebrews
11:24-26, Moses looked ahead and made a choice based on possible
consequences. “By faith Moses, when he became of age, . . . [chose] 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.”
Moses’ choice wasn’t easy, but its rightness was made clear because he
knew that the troubles he faced for godly living were made bearable by his
coming reward. As we look ahead, are we willing to bear “the reproach of
Christ”—the tough times that come with being associated with Jesus—in exchange
for the promised reward of pleasing God?
If we depend on God for everything, we can endure anything. (RBC)
