Let us turn today to 1 Corinthians 10:12,13. We read here, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” This is one of the most wonderful promises we have from the New Testament. When we go through trials and temptations, it is God who keeps us from falling and to enables us to endure it. We read from verse 1 of this chapter of the life of the Israelites. In Exodus 13 we read of the divine protection of the Lord on the Israelites. The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire lead the people of Israel. This is an encouragement for us too, that the Lord’s protection is with us as we go through life’s journey. The Israelites had the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night and we have the Holy Spirit to lead us day and night.
In 1 Corinthians 10:3, we read that they all ate the same food. Similarly, we too have to receive the food daily from the Lord. In verse 5 we read that God was not pleased with the Israelites and they perished in the wilderness. The Israelites grumbled and murmured and were not thankful for God’s protection and care. In 1 Corinthians 10:6 we read that the Israelites craved for evil things and this was why God was not pleased in them. To the Israelites manna was boring. Are we like this? Do we take the things that God gave us for granted and crave for other things that are evil? We read that the Israelites made the golden calf and worshiped it when Moses delayed to come down from the mountains. Are we also impatient? Do we find it difficult to wait for God’s timings during our trials and temptations? These are lessons we need to learn from the life of the Israelites (v11).
Let us ask ourselves these few questions:
• Do we grumble and complain against the Lord?
• Are we not satisfied with the things the Lord has given and done for us?
• Do we crave for evil things?
• Do we try the Lord?
Let us not fall into the same sins as the Israelites did. Let us seek to find favor in God’s eyes. It is after these things that Paul warns us that he who thinks he stands should take heed that he shouldn’t fall.
In Luke 22:31-34 we read, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” Our Lord is there praying for us in our temptations.
In John 10:27 we read how the sheep knows the voice of the shepherd. We too need to be familiar and be able to recognize the Lord’s voice. And we read in the following verses of the protection that we have – no one can snatch us from the Lord’s hands. Whatever situations we may go through, let us remind ourselves that it is a process to mold us into His image. In 1 Peter 1:3-6 we read that trials in this world are only for a short time. We also read that we are protected by the power of God through faith. What great promises we have! 2 Peter 2:9 tells us that the Lord knows how to rescue us from temptation. In James 5:11 we read of God’s compassion and mercy during our trials and that those who endure are blessed. May these words encourage us when we face trials and temptations. In Mathew 26, when Jesus was in Gethsemane and was going through hard times, he went away and prayed. This is what we can also follow, in our times of trials, let us seek the face of the Lord for His will and strength.
May God bless us all.
