Cruise Control

Wednesday, February 27, 2013      1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

Andy Frederick

I’ve always wondered what it would have been like to be alive during Old Testament times.   How would it have felt to be a member of God’s chosen people, while simultaneously having the incredible privilege of watching Moses perform a miracle from God right before my eyes by saving my family from plague and the depths of the wilderness?  What would it have been like to have my food and drink provided directly from God on a daily basis, and also to know that I was actually drinking from the ‘spiritual rock’?  More importantly than imagining what it would be like to witness these things is what my actual reaction would be to what was taking place around me?  Would I want to serve God even more since my life is being blessed more than I could ever imagine? Or, would I take everything for granted, live my life however I wanted, and go on ‘cruise control’ because I know that God will provide for me regardless?

I know that I (and probably most everyone) would most likely react exactly as the Israelites reacted.  I would have thrown a dance party or two, consumed more than my fair share of the food and drink that was provided to me by God’s own hand, and maybe would have grumbled that the Sunday morning service was too long and interfered with my lunch plans.   I would have gone on ‘cruise control’.

The way that Paul details the antics of the Israelites is really a powerful thing.  I can only imagine how Paul’s congregation reacted when he spoke of how their ancestors endured 23,000 deaths in one day, and also how God launched a snake epidemic when tested.  It’s pretty sad to think that even though God’s chosen people were granted grace and blessings beyond belief, they took advantage of this grace and blessing and still disobeyed God.  God ultimately responded by ‘scattering their bodies into the wilderness’.  The Israelites had gone on ‘cruise control’ and were punished.

Paul’s message here is that we are all capable of falling into the same traps as the Israelites did many years ago.  We should not be so naïve and self-confident that we don’t think it will happen to us.  No matter what, though, the ultimate words of comfort from Paul are that God will never tempt us with more than we can bear, and if we do happen to take advantage of God’s love and blessings in our lives (which will happen), God will be there to provide a way out and help us fight through temptation.  It is then up to us to listen, turn off the ‘cruise control’, and be obedient.

Prayer:  Lord, in times that I fall for temptations in my life and take advantage of your love and blessings, please be there to direct me back on the right path and to have a thankful and obedient spirit.

Daily Challenge:  Be obedient to God, resist temptations in my everyday life, and never take advantage of God’s love and blessings in my life