Knowing God Helps Me Know Myself

In review of Hebrews 11:24 it says, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s

daughter” (NIV).

When I don’t know who I am, I’ll end up living for other people’s approval. However God offers me so much more. He wants me to live in the true identity that he’s given me.

The Bible tells a famous story of someone who chose to live in his God-given identity, the story of Moses. Moses was the greatest leader in the entire Old Testament. He led the Jews to freedom after 400 years of slavery in Egypt. He received the Ten Commandments from God. He’s credited with writing the first five books of the Bible.

But Moses started life as a slave. As an infant, he was placed in a river basket as his mother tried to save him from genocide. He was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and then raised as a prince.

Hebrews 11:24-27 sums up the rest of the story: “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. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible” (NIV).

So what happened to Moses during those in-between years? In short, he grew up. He grew up physically, but he also grew up spiritually. As he was growing up, Moses asked all the questions that everyone asks: Who am I? Where did I come from? What is my life all about?

It took faith for Moses to give up his place in the palace, but he could do it because he saw the fleeting nature of great wealth and prestige. It is easy to be deceived by the temporary benefits of wealth, popularity, status, and achievement, and to be blind to the long-range benefits of God's Kingdom. Faith helps me look beyond the world's value system to see the eternal values of God's Kingdom. 

Eventually, he settled on the answer. He “refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” He grew up and refused to keep living a lie. He knew his identity and chose to live like God created him to be. That showed spiritual maturity.

So how can I know my God-given identity? By getting to know God better.

The closer I get to God, the better I’m going to understand myself. That’s because God is my Creator. The more I understand my Creator, the more I’ll understand myself because I am his creation.

Like Moses, I face a choice: Will I pretend to be someone I’m not for the rest of my life? Or will I choose to live as the person God created me to be?

If I choose to live as God made me, some may not approve of me. But that won’t really matter. I’ll know who I am and where I’m going. And I’ll have the approval of God.

In summary, it was by faith that Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. When I don't know who I am, I'll end up living for others approvals. But, God offers me so much more. He wants me to live in the true identity that he's given me. It took faith for Moses to give up his place in the palace, but he could do so because he realized the fleeting nature of great wealth and prestige. It's easy to be deceived by the temporary benefits of wealth, popularity, status, and achievement and to be blind to the long-range benefits of God's Kingdom. Faith will help me look beyond the world's values to see the eternal values of God's Kingdom. I get to know my God-given identity by getting to know God better. The closer I get to God, the better I"m going to understand myself. The more I understand my Creator, the more I'll understand myself, because I am his creation. I face a choice, pretend to be someone I'm not or choose to live as the person God created me to be? If I choose to live as God made me, I'll know who I am and where I"m going. And I'll have God's approval.

I need faith to look at what God created and wants me to be. Without knowing this, then I’ll only end up living the approval of others. It’s more important for me to live for God’s approval. To understand what God has in mind for me, I need to stay closely connected to him through my quiet and study times.  

Father, this morning I pray for your Spirit throughout my life to help me live for you and your purposes. Give me the strength to embrace what comes my way and to do and live it for you and your purposes. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.