Was Moses a wise man or a fool? by James Smith (1802—1862)

“Moses chose to suffer affliction along with the people of God–rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time!” Hebrews 11:25

The choice was done. Moses was determined. He had counted the cost: Instead of honor–shame; instead of praise–blame; instead of respect–contempt; instead of plenty–poverty; and instead of a princely portion–a slave’s lot.

Was this wise?
What do you think of Moses?
Was he right, or wrong?

If Moses was right, as I suppose you will admit, allow me to ask, have you acted rightly?

Have you made the same choice?
Have you looked at the world at its best–and at true religion at its worst?
And, have you seriously, deliberately, and prayerfully decided to renounce the world, and embrace the despised religion of Christ, with all the scorn, contempt, and sufferings to which it may expose you?

Moses made his choice between the children of God and their sufferings–and the Egyptians and their pleasures. And you must make your choice between Christ or the world, holiness or sin, the narrow path to Heaven or the broad road to Hell.

“Choose this day whom you will serve!”

A master you must have, and it must be either Christ or Satan. Serve you must, and your service must be either righteousness or sin.

Look, then at:

• the world–at its honors, wealth, and pleasures; look also at the church–at its poverty, contempt, and sufferings.
• Hell–with its bitter reflections, deep sorrows, and indescribable torments;
• look also at Heaven–with its sweet thoughts, pure enjoyments, and endless felicity.

Now make your choice!

Do you choose the world and its pleasures now–along with Hell and its horrors forever? 
Do you chose to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time, rather than to serve and suffer with the people of God–though you know your end will be as bitter as wormwood, and as dreadful as the just wrath of a holy and unchangeable God could make it?

If Moses was wise–then what can you be, but a fool? And your foolishness now–will increase your anguish and agony to all eternity!

Choose to love and serve Jesus!!!

James Smith (1802-1862): Before Charles Spurgeon began to preach (1854), James Smith had been proclaiming the good news of salvation in Christ and the blessings of the Christian life at the New Park Street Chapel in London (1841-1850). He also ministered  in Cheltenham. Long gone, Smith’s words of biblical truths live on to inspire and encourage the body of Christ. Smith is well-remembered for his popular devotional, The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor’s Morning and Evening Visit.