This post was last updated on February 19, 2026

Day 347, Year 1

We Can Change When We Grow Up

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” (Hebrews 11:24 NASB)

As Pharaoh’s adopted grandson, Moses could have many privileges. If Moses had been living in the house of Pharaoh’s daughter and had never left, what did the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt have to do with Him? Probably nothing! Thus, when Moses accepted his own lowliness, it was the beginning of his magnificent, graced life from God. Similarly, when we accept our human inborn weaknesses, it is the beginning of our prayers for God’s grace. Those who have faith in God are not afraid of any humiliation. 

The growing-up of Moses, as mentioned in the above scripture, can be illustrated with Pauline saying, “… when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11b NKJV) There was quite a long time before Moses grew up, when he lived as Pharaoh’s grandson with the Egyptian way of life. During that time, he lived a life with a different mentality and goals from a slave, while the sons of slaves seem destined to be enslaved. The word “grown up” in today’s scripture, in Greek megas, also means “great, honorable, or dignity.” Strangely, the pampered and privileged life did not seem to make Moses feel great or honored. As we grow up, we often reflect on everything in our past. This kind of thorough introspection is also common after we start to believe in the Lord Jesus. After a series of contemplations, we can regain our godly identity as Moses did, then change our relationships with those around us and start a new life. Through these, Moses became a slave but found his godly greatness, dignity, and honor. Similarly, we have to give up worldly honors and pleasures to find our greatness in Jesus.

How did the king’s daughter and her family feel when Moses “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter”? In their home, Moses would be seen as a traitor, a bad guy who abandoned his benefactor upon achieving his goal to become an Israelite. In his adoptive mother’s household, as it is commonly understood, he had a very poor testimony, which made it quite impossible to convert her to the God of Israel. However, this testimony, which may seem so bad according to human standards, meant that Moses was on the right path. So, have you ever considered whether your testimonies are actually compromising to please people, but not pleasing God? The faith in God allows us to find our true selves. But in this process, it is hardly possible to seriously take into account the feelings of the people around us at the same time.

Reflection questions:

1) Are you willing to humble yourself and give up undeserved privileges in God’s eyes?

2) Have you ever been accused of being a bad witness or a traitor for the sake of God? If so, how do you feel?