Bible Reading: Psalm 123,124,125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-16
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” 1 Corinthians 10:11 (KJV)
God’s dealings with the Israelites were well documented so that those coming after them will learn how God operates. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul started by reminding us not to forget what happened to our ancestors in the wilderness. How He first brought them out of bondage and slavery into freedom to serve Him in their freewill. But they disobeyed Him, tried and tested Him, and murmured against Him. As a result, they experienced the judgement of God, the Merciful One. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NLT) states, “All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.”
These events, all through the ages, are a warning to us who are especially in the endtime where the bible warns that iniquity, badness, wickedness, selfishness, immorality, etc will be on a high level never before seen. The fact that evil is perpetrated almost everywhere does not mean God has not made provision for His people who truly love Him. Malachi 3:6a (NLT) says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” God is still the same God who lovingly brought Israel out of slavery, protected them and when they refused to obey Him did away with them after showing them mercy upon mercy. He is the same God who in the midst of widespread worship of Baal in the land kept seven thousand people whose hearts were pure and have not bend their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:20).
Thank God for His grace today but this is not a license to remain in sin. Just as God did not tolerate Israel’s sins of idolatry and immorality He will not tolerate the sins of believers today. Grace does not ask nor assist anyone to remain in sin; rather it empowers us by the love of God to stay above sin. God’s mercy is new every day too. But He will not withhold judgement forever. Ask King Saul; he stretched God’s mercy time and again refusing to repent or change his ways. In the end, judgement came upon him and his house.
These examples are there for us to remember. And praise be to God for His Spirit in us to help us fight against whatever is trying to draw us away from God. The bible says only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8). You have what it takes inside of you to remain in, and with, God. Take responsibility for your life and service to God today. Let the Holy Spirit direct you and you will not miss your path in your service to God.
Prayer: Dear Father, I thank You for the Spirit of obedience in me. Lord I receive grace to take full advantage of Your Spirit in my service to You.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu