After a full docket, it is time to settle my mind, body, and spirit to come together alongside You, Father. May I be attuned to Your heart. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:1-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
Why is it that we can’t seem to learn from the mistakes of others? A portion of the introductory note for this chapter in my Life Application Study Bible states that the Apostle Paul “uses Israel as an example of spiritual immaturity, shown in their overconfidence and lack of self-discipline.”
When we look at the world today, and unfortunately, the church as well, we see a lot of immaturity, and it shows in our overconfidence and lack of self-discipline. Looking at Biblical Jewish history as a whole, they messed up much more often than they did what was right. Over and over again, and Paul gives just a handful of examples in these verses, Israel did not do what God commanded them to but repeatedly did what they wanted to do. Even with all the wonderful and miraculous things God did for them, they often chose to complain about them because it wasn’t what they wanted or how they wanted them done.
Over and over again, God gave, and God forgave them for their ingratitude and rebellion. You would think after so long that it would dawn on them that if they would just get their act together, God would take care of them. He would go to bat for them. Example after example is given when He did just that, but they never seemed to be able to get it through their thick skulls that that was the case.
And the people of Paul’s day were no better, and we are no better. Humanity, as a whole, continues to think that we are different. We are better. We are superior…and we are none of those things.
Again, if we would give ourselves over – heart, soul, and mind – to God, oh, the things we could experience…the things we could accomplish!
There have been numerous individuals throughout the ages who have done just that and have seen just what God can do. But as a society, as a collective of people, we cannot overcome our immaturity. We want what we want when we want it. And most of all, we don’t want God to have any part in it at all.
I struggle, too. I remember in my youth lying on my bed at the Nazarene campground in Summersville, West Virginia, and asking myself why I couldn’t grow up and remain consistent in my Christian walk. Even then, I could see evidence of God using me when I was obedient. But my immaturity would win out, and I would yield to some frivolous desire, and the flow of spiritual progress would stop. The ebb and flow of my life continues yet today. But I will say, and all faithful followers of Christ with me, God is faithful. When I am faithless, He is faithful. And He never gives up on me. He wants me to be victorious. And often, I am.
Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 AMP
Nov 11th, 2023, Sun, 6:39 pm
