Today’s Reading, 1 Corinthians 9-11
Focal Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:6 “Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did.”
Learning from the mistakes and examples of others shows great wisdom. To learn from mistakes several things must happen. First, someone has to admit that they messed up. Then they have to share their story. Then a person must apply what they have heard to their own life. A person can’t just hear about what’s going on from others. Actual steps must be taken to learn from examples whether good or bad and apply then apply to your life.
In the reading today Paul explains how the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea, saw the cloud, drank the spiritual food and drink, had Christ follow them and yet displeased God. How did they displease God? By their unbelief. By their worship of idols. By their doubt that God would do what he promised. Paul wants the church to have a belief in God that is powerful. He wants the church to understand that the temptation to commit these sins are real but he will provide a way out.
What example do you need to learn from today? If we are honest we all struggle with some sin. We are not much different than the children of Israel. Our desire must be to learn from their failures and not doubt God like they did in the wilderness. They saw great miracles of God firsthand. However, they chose sin over trust.
The challenge for believers today is to learn from examples that we have in the Bible and in life. We must humble ourselves and realize that our life story can go down a bad path if we are not careful. This path is one of sin, doubt, and worshiping of idols.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. God has provided us a path to follow him. He has provided evidence of trust. I challenge you today to set an example of trust for your family and those who see you everyday. We need to be an example of faithfulness to all who see us.
This happens when we learn from others and make the application to our lives. Let us learn from the children of Israel and do better.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 1 Corinthians 12-14
