Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God’s fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. 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…We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them…
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
If you skipped the scripture to read the post, go back and read it. I’ll wait. 🙂
When you were growing up and you heard the story of the Israelites, did you, like me, think they were so stupid? I thought ” if I saw the Red Sea split, and a huge cloud following me, and the Egyptian army swallowed up, and had food literally falling from heaven every day, and my shoes never got too little in 40 years, and I saw water flow from a rock, not to mention all the things that happened in Egypt, I think I would have no problem believing in God to take care of me” … That is what I thought, when I was younger. Anyone else?
How many miracles have you had in your life? Ever have a near miss accident that you know should have killed you? Ever get a check in the mail the day you needed to pay a bill? Ever come home after a tornado to find your home in tact when others around you lost nearly everything? Ever have a car last waaaaay beyond it’s expected lifespan? Ever had a healthy child? Ever had a good marriage? Ever buy Christmas for your kids when at the beginning of the month you had no idea how you were going to do it?
I have. And yet I still wonder some days if God is going to come through. Worse yet, I still have my moments of wanting to grumble and complain about my struggles and what God is making me go through. Oh yes, even I who have so many miracle stories. Seems silly doesn’t it? After all, I have been saying for weeks now about all the good things God has done in my life.
My Bishop says “God will offend the mind to reveal the heart.” There are many times I think to myself “O.k. I am getting this lesson God is trying to teach me. I believe God will take care of me. I will be content in every circumstance. I will not have doubt. I will believe He is who He is no matter what my circumstances”. Then the fire gets turned up, and I find myself balling my eyes out and questioning God again. I find myself beginning to relate more and more to those silly Israelites, and repenting seems to be my daily dose. And then I know, I am not done with this process. The process we all want to get out of as fast as possible. (1 Peter 4: 12-13) Like a band-aid, “just rip it off, Lord!”. But no, He is much wiser than that. This is not a band-aid, it is a layered onion.
I am reminded of James “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
(James 1: 2-4)
The Israelites had everything handed to them. They did not have to hunt or harvest their food, it was brought to them every morning. They did not have to search for water; they just struck a rock. They did not have to buy or make new shoes. They had air conditioning in the day, and fire by night. Yet, they grumbled and doubted God would take them to their destination. How silly, right?
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 at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 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. 1 Corinthians 10: 11-13
Don’t forget:
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner…God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. 1Peter 4:12-13; 5:7-11