1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.
6Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. 7Do not become idolaters as some of them did, as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.” 8We must not engage in sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. 10And do not complain, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
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Paul was born a Roman citizen and a “Jew’s Jew” but after his conversion, became a follower of Jesus. He wrote this from Ephesus to his church in Corinth. Corinth was predominantly Gentile and most of its citizens were of a lesser means and lower social standing. They were also prone to following false prophets.
Paul reminds them of how the Israelites under Moses had strayed from their faith and didn’t want his church in Corinth to do the same. He also reminded them that God would never give them more than they could endure.
We all face testing of some sort every day, but it is a comfort to know that through Jesus we have one who walks with us. It is uncanny what was true 2000+ years ago, is still true today. We just need to stay focused on Jesus and do what he calls us to do.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to see and listen and have the courage to do your will.
—Nancy Dynneson