Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 17, 2014
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:24-25
Sometimes we have to choose between conflicting loyalties. Either way we go we will offend, disappoint, even anger another party. Even more difficult, is after being loyal for years to a job or church, the Spirit begins leading us in a different direction. When loyalty to our faith or family collides with competing circumstances or opportunities, we have to courageously walk away to preserve our highest priorities. Most loyalties have their limitations.
Moses struggled with the pressure to please everyone. His adoptive parents expected him to take on the regalia of royalty, while his biological family desperately needed his leadership. He would become a prince, or he would be a slave. Hee would wield power, or he would suffer disgrace. He would be rich, or he would be penniless. He would enjoy the pleasures of sin, or he would struggle to follow God. By faith, Moses walked away from the path of prestige for the sake of Christ. Loyalty to the Lord looks for His reward.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36).
Are you halting between two opinions? Do you feel pulled in different directions? If so, God will lead you in the right way. The pain of letting down a strong personality, your boss, is mild compared to the chronic pain from disappointing those who love you the most. Your definition of loyalty is probably different from that of the recipient of your loyalty. What matters most is your loyalty to the Lord and your loved ones. Most of all, trust your ever loyal savior Jesus to see you through.
Furthermore, we remain loyal in our marriage. We persevere through pending problems for there is a promised land from God that awaits us. Loyalty to our spouse supersedes loyalty to our parents. We honor our parents in the process, but we don’t allow the lines of marriage loyalty to blur. When we weather together all kinds of storms, we better appreciate the sunshine and blessings of growing old together. Loyalty to God means loyalty to our vows. So, conflicting loyalties is the Lord’s opportunity to love us. By faith, we give up sin’s pleasure for His pleasure.
“When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them” (Proverbs 16:7).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in my struggle with conflicting loyalties, I first honor You with my loyalty.
Related Readings: Exodus 2:1-25; Ruth 1:16; Haggai 1:8; Matthew 6:24, 10:37; Luke 14:33
Post/Tweet today: Conflicting loyalties is the Lord’s opportunity to love us. By faith, we give up sin’s pleasure for His pleasure. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved. www.wisdomhunters.com
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Thank you so much for this. I am touched.