“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
Examples abounded for Israel and others through history: follow the Lord and He will provide, rebel against Him and suffer consequences. Paul knew the Corinthian church needed reminding of the stories, the detailed recollections of how God had dealt with men, and urged them to heed their intended warnings. He lovingly encouraged them to take note from God’s word and help from His promises, to beware cockiness and obey Him always.
How is it that we can know so much about right and wrong and fail to heed? That we observe and criticize folly in others but convince ourselves the rules don’t apply to us? We see examples of fallen individuals and harsh, lasting consequences, yet when we are in the midst, we think our situation is different. We willfully make exceptions for obedience and rashly excuse succumbing to temptation.
Knowing that God supported and protected His people in the wilderness yet many rebelled and thus suffered, what do we learn? Will we therefore test Him, or trust Him? Do these vivid warnings lessen our desire of evil? How do they train confidence and shape resolve?
What particularly troublesome temptations do we face? What preventatives we can put in place to avoid their situations or reoccurring? Whom can we trust for help and accountability? What biblical promises will we memorize and recite for strength and direction? Putting off rebel ways and putting on attention to godliness, we’ll find strength to stand in our faithful God. (Psalm 3:3; 46:1,7; Colossians 3:5-17; Hebrews 4:15-16)
“A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
Although this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.” ~Martin Luther (1529)
Lord, help me apply insight from Your word to remain faithful to You.
As the rain and snow 