The Decisions of Moses

Decision is an interesting word. It comes from a Latin word that literally means “to cut off.” That Latin word also gives us the English words incision (a surgical cut) and scissors (a cutting implement). When we make a decision, we cut off all other courses of action.

The story of Moses is the story of a man who made decisions—a man who chose one course of action and cut off all other options and possibilities. In Acts 7, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stood before the Sanhedrin—the same ruling council that had condemned Jesus to death—and recounted the story of Moses. He divided the life of Moses into three segments of forty years. Each of those forty-year periods was marked by a major decision.

Moses spent the first forty years in the palace of the Pharaoh, learning that he was something and somebody. He spent the second forty years in the desert, learning that he was nothing and nobody. He spent the final forty years leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the desert, learning that God is everything.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the story of Moses. May I make decisions in my life that draw me closer to You. May I be humbled by the privilege and joy of Your presence. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

*Excerpt adapted from Treasure That Lasts by Michael Youssef © 2020. Published by Baker Publishers, Inc. Used by permission.