Therefore let him who thinks he stands

.... take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). Paul has just been describing God's dealing with Israel, that with most of them He was not pleased. As a result they died in the wilderness (verse 5). He tells us these things are an example to us so that we should not lust after evil things like they did. Twenty three thousand fell as a result of their sexual immorality, some of them tempted Christ and were destroyed by serpents, others complained and were destroyed by the destroyer. All these things, he tells us,  were written  for our exhortation and warning (verses 6-11).  And the “therefore” of this morning's verse connects it to this admonition.  If they could fall, so can we!

There is a tendency to think we are different, that we are immune to falling, especially if we have experienced God at work in our lives.  Those who fell had seen the Lord executing plages on Pharaoh and the Egyptians, they had been rescued from the pursuing Egyptian army by the parting of the Red sea,  and the drowning of that army when the sea that had opened up for Israel had closed over them  when they had gone down into its midst (Exodus 14). By the way there is interesting evidence of the historicity of this event (search “evidence Red sea crossing” on Youtube). Daily food had also been provided, yet they complained. As another aside this show what God thinks about our ungrateful grumbling – see Philippians 2:14). Neither did their cloths, nor their shoes wear out for the forty year duration. There is a tendency to think that if we had seen what they had seen, then we would be immune to their  temptation,  yet in spite of it all,  they were still disobedient. This morning's warning is to tell us that essential we are no different.

In particular we are all subject to temptation (verse 13a). The verse continues “but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  Note that He provides the way of escape, but requires us to effect it. The word translated “bear” here means to bear it by standing up under it, and to do it patiently, to endure.  He gives us grace to do that of course, but it requires our cooperation, and it requires our perseverance. As James would put it, we need to let the process have its perfect work (James 1:4). In the midst of our trials and temptation when we don't feel we can bear it any longer, we will need to ask the Lord to show us the way of escape!

Father, thank You for reminding me this morning of Your admonition  to not be weary in doing well,  for You have promised that in due season we will reap if we do not feint and draw back (Galatians 6:9). Thank You too for the reminder of a similar promise  as I walked and prayed weeping on my prayer walk this morning. You underlined for me a long time ago. It is that “he who goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. These reminders Lord help me to keep moving forward. And I feel better now. Thank You in Jesus Name Amen