Moses: A great man of great faith

As we approach a new year, the greatest need in your life and my life is true saving faith.

True saving faith is not an empty profession that is mere words. True saving faith is not empty ritual and empty ceremony. Saving faith is a living commitment to God that is dynamic and supernatural. It is always life changing. It is active, not passive. In Hebrews 11, Moses is the champion of faith.

What made his faith so strong? What made the faith of Moses so vibrant and dynamic? In Hebrews 11:27-29 there are four essential marks of great faith. Moses built these marks into his life. If you build these components into your life you will have great faith.

Great faith is marked by great courage. Verse 27 reads, “By faith he left Egypt.” The word “left” in this context means to utterly forsake. It was a hard renunciation. It is a powerful word.

“Wherever you are, be all there,” Jim Elliott said. As Moses left Egypt he burned every bridge behind him.

This was the second time Moses left Egypt. The first time he left Egypt he was 40 years old when he killed an Egyptian. He slithered away. He went into the wilderness a defeated man. But 40 years later at age 80 he left a different man. The first time he left Egypt fearing the pharaoh. This time he left, the text says, “… not fearing the wrath of the king.”

The fear of man is one of Satan’s most effective snares. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare.”

So often we wrestle with losing our popularity or losing our friends or losing our jobs. We fear the criticism of others. Moses had great courage. Ten times he stood before Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go!” True faith is marked by great courage to do the will of God. Fear of man is overcome by fearing God.

Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Great faith is marked by great concentration. Another component of Moses’ faith was great concentration. Verse 27 reads, “… for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Who did Moses concentrate upon? God himself. Where did Moses find strength? By faith he focused his eyes upon God.

In Matthew 14 the disciples were caught in a tremendous storm. They saw Jesus walk on the water. Jesus desired to teach Peter how to walk by faith. Peter stepped across the angry waves to the Lord. But then Peter began to look toward the waves and the sea and the wind. He started to sink. As long as you keep your eyes upon Jesus, no matter what storm you are in, you will be able to walk on the water.

The faith of Moses was marked by great courage and great concentration. It was also marked by great compliance. Compliance means obedience. He obeyed the revealed will of God. Verse 28 reads, “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

Moses obeyed God. He took the lamb and killed it and placed it upon the doorposts of his home. When the Angel of Death saw the blood he passed by. Only the blood of Jesus saves us from our sin. Have you applied the blood of Jesus to your life?

Finally, the great faith of Moses was marked by a great commitment. Verse 29 says, “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.”

His faith was contagious. Others followed him. Moses had a great commitment to God. Trapped by the mountains around them and the Red Sea in front. Behind them came Pharaoh and his hordes. Moses did not buckle. He said, “Do not fear. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord that He will accomplish for you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

God sent the east wind. The water piled up on either side. With great commitment Moses moved forward. He stepped out. Moses and the people believed God would make a way when there seemed to be no way.

A brand new year is upon us. It will not be easy. There will be challenges and difficulties. Moses is the champion of great faith. His great faith was marked by great courage, great concentration, great compliance and great commitment. Won’t you place your faith in Jesus today?

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. Contact him at ethanchansen@gci.net.