Text: Hebrews 11:23-27, “By Faith Moses,when he was born was hid three months of his parents because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of thre Kin’s commandment. By faith when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured , as seeing him who is invisiable”,

We live in a very tense, uptight world. This has been called the “age of anxiety” a major cause of heart attacks and high blood pressure is tension and stress. 
Most tension in our lives is the result of unresolved issues. Moses was a man who learned how to resolve the basic issues of life and as a result became a prime example of how to enjoy peace of mind. 
Because he made the right decisions and settled what is important in life, he was able to live with himself and assume a tremendous responsibility, and yet remain calm under pressure. He knew how to enjoy peace of mind. 

The first thing that Moses dealt with is the issue of identity. 

He settled the issue of “Who Am I”. Moses, when he grew up refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Understand the conflict: Moses was actually a Jew, but Pharaoh’s daughter raised him as an Egyptian. 

At the age of 40, he was groomed to be the second in command in Egypt, so he had to make a choice. Moses had an identity crisis: Who Am I? Am I a Jew or am I an Egyptian? Am I going to live with a bunch of slaves, or am I going to stay here and live in luxury in the palace? 

Everyone of us must come to grips with this issue of identity. We all have a deep need to accept who we are. Moses decided to quit pretending. He accepted his true identity. It is a liberating experience when you relax quit trying to be somebody you are not. The foundation for peace of mind is: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Relax and be yourself. God made you. He loves you just the way you are. 

How would we remember Moses today if he had stayed in Pharaoh’s court?  Maybe as an  Egyptian mummy in some museum. There is a direct correlation between identity and  influence. Did you know there is a direct correlation between identity and influence. Moses has eternal influence because he knew his identity. He knew who and whose he was. 

The second issue that Moses dealt with was the matter of personal responsibility 

He settled the issue of “what do I really want to be”? The Bible said Moses chose to be mistreated with the rest of God’s people rather to enjoy the sinful pleasures of Pharaoh’s palace. Notice that Moses made this decision “after he had grown up” (Heb. 11:24). It’s a mark of maturity when you settle the issue of personal responsibility. 

We live in a culture that loves to blame others and not accept personal responsibility. Moses didn’t blame anyone for his own life and decided to make his life count. 

It is true there are many things on your life and my life in which we have no control, but there is one thing we have absolute control over and that is our response toward life. You can choose to respond toward life in a negative critical manner or in a positive manner of faith in God and His Word. 

No one can ruin your life, but you. The devil can’t because he doesn’t have enough power. God won’t because He love you. No one can take away your attitude unless you give it away or allow it to happen. When you assume responsibility for your own attitude, then you can start enjoying peace of mind. 

The third issue Moses faced was priorities 

He settled the issue of “what is really important in life.” Moses had what most people spend their entire life trying to get: power, pleasure and possessions. God asked him to do something more important, so he did it. It became a matter of priority in his life.

 Purpose determines priorities. Moses was convinced that his most important assignment was being God’s instrument. He could have had power. He could have had myriads of possessions along with much pleasure, but he chose what was the most important. 

Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 

The final Issue was the matter of difficulty 

He settled the issue of “How am I going to live?” We can sum up Moses life in two words: he endured. It is a fact of life. There is no gain without pain. There is not advancement without adversity. There can be no progress without problems. 

Moses made a success of his life because he endured under stress and pressures. The key to his peace of mind was that he knew difficulty comes into every life and he knew how to respond to them correctly. 

In summary, how have you dealt with the issue of identity? Have you asked yourself this question? “Who am I? What is my purpose in this life? Or – are you drifting through life without a purpose? It may not be lime-lights, but everyone of us have a need to determine to live with a purpose and be settled to know – this is me and this is the reason I am living. Apostle Paul gave us good advice on this issue in 2Co 10:12, For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. Just be yourself and pursue the purpose God intended for you and you alone. 
 

How about the issue called personal responsibility? Are you ready to take on the difficulties that responsibility may place on you? Assuming responsibility in this life causes one to mature and grow and become strong in the Lord.  Jesus talks about this in the Be-attitudes. Much of this sermon has to do with how we respond to issues of life. 

Are you willing to endure through the tough seasons of your life? Are you willing to accept the difficulty and respond to them correctly? Those who go through life’s difficulties with peace of mind have learned to do what Peter tells us in 1Pe 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Jesus warns his disciples concerning the difficult areas of life. He knew that storms would come. Mt 6:25 “ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? “ Jesus was inferring that we shouldn’t fret and worry because he will care for his children through every difficult time. Mt 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Moses had a successful life because he chose to deal with issues of life correctly. His mind was focused on what was important. It was a matter of choice in every circumstance. He gave to us principles for a peaceful mind.