Today's reading is really working on my heart. There are so many inspirational verses in this one chapter, and a lot of really strong teaching. So much is speaking to me ... I'm not even sure where to begin!! At the beginning, as usual, I suppose.
vs 5-6 ... But just experiencing God's wonder and grace didn't seem to mean much - most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased. The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did.
It never ceases to amaze me just how easy it is every single day to give in to temptation. God gives us never-ending grace and mercy, is unwavering faith so much to ask for? Apparently. "we must be on guard" ... it sounds so easy. How do we achieve that? It seems trite to say prayer, but it is the truth. It seems silly to say devotion, worship, praise, but that doesn't mean those aren't the answer.
When we build up the Word of God around us and fortify ourselves with the knowledge that He has created us for His Glory, we will become stronger. Yes, there are bad days. Yes, there are days when we want to run and hide and put our head under our pillows. But what are those days compared to the ones where we feel His presence around us, see the evidence of His love, know that His protection keeps our families safe.
vs 11 ... These are all warning markers - danger! - in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel - they are at the beginning, we at the end - and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were.
And we, in the fall of 2010, are just as capable of messing it up as Paul and the Corinthians ... almost 2000 years ago.
vs 13 ... No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down, he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
These are words we have always heard. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger ... God will never give you more than you can take. Have you ever questioned that? I have. I DO. On a DAILY basis! There have been so many times in the past year when I just know that God has me confused with someone else. Someone who is stronger, wiser, more prayerful ... holier? Because surely I can't handle this anymore. Surely I am not strong enough to keep conquering everything that we keep getting dealt.
But I am stronger today than I was last week. I was stronger last week than I was last year. And I was certainly stronger last year than I was 10 years ago. I can only pray to God above that I am stronger tomorrow than I am today, because today is just not looking so good.
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