God's people forake this evil world ~ Psalm 118:8-9 [KJV]

"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king." -Hebrews 11:27 [KJV]

Here we see faith opposed by fear, and the victory of faith over the dread of wrath. Consider his work and his danger; his faith and his safety. 

(1st.) Moses was engaged in a great work. He was to go to Pharaoh, and say from the Lord, “Israel is My son, even My first-born son: let him go, that he may serve Me” (Exodus 4:23.) Now, might not the king very naturally look upon Moses as a very dangerous, pestilent, hot-headed enthusiast, who, under a pretence of religion, wanted to raise a rebellion in his kingdom? He had to fear, that the king might put him to death in his wrath. “For the wrath of a king is as the roaring of a lion” (Proverbs 19:12.) Most terribly fierce! 

But, (2d.) consider his faith. This set him above fear: he bids defiance to wrath. Forsake Egypt, he must; flee from the king, he was determined: for he had the command of his God for it. Faith is the parent of all holy obedience. But was his faith nothing more than a strong impulse of his mind— something within him, which suggested to him that he must forsake Egypt? No: this he might have had, and obeyed it too, to his own destruction; but he had the Lord’s word for the ground of his faith. Mind this: “Thus saith the LORD, I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring My people out of Egypt.” There is the warrant for his faith. 

(3d.) Consider his safety. Pharaoh could not hurt the hair of his head. Why not? because the Lord added, “Certainly I will be with thee” (Exodus 3:12.) There is the certainty of his safety. Thus, he believed God, and feared not the wrath of the king. Here see the nature and actings of true and lively faith. 

(1st.) It hath the word of the Lord for its object. There may be strong impressions of mind, warm suggestions of fancy, where there is not “Thus saith the Lord.” Soul! these will not carry thee out of the Egypt of nature to the promised land: they will soon forsake thee. Then, thou wilt not only feel the wrath of a king, but the shaking of a leaf. 

(2d.) Faith in the Lord’s word, delivers the soul from the fear of the Lord’s enemies. According to the strength of our faith, we are set above fears of wrath. We cannot have stronger cause for faith, than the Lord’s word; nor a better object for our faith, than the Son of God. O! then, when fear of wrath prevails, look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, with “Lord, increase my faith!” Luke 17:5. ‘Where is your faith?’ our Saviour cries; ‘Believe and honour me:’ Our foolish, reas’ning heart replies, ‘Christ’s joys are not for me.’ Thou Author of our faith, increase The gift which Thou hast giv’n: So shall we find Thy precious peace The antepast of heaven.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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