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CHAPTER 10 (ESV)
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
REFLECTION:
- Temptation is the pressure to take our own way, to indulge ourselves, to spurn God, to plunge into doubt or despair, lust or anger, to give in to our own feelings and let them draw conclusions about our worth based on what other people say about us or what we say about ourselves. It’s an ever-present pressure. Sometimes it’s from others, and other times it’s from within. But Paul says not to worry for God will never let us down, never let us pushed past our limit. He will be there always. Not as a lecturer but as a helper.
- What temptations do I most consistently have to face? Does v13 encourage or frustrate me? Why?
- Tell it to Jesus and ask His help in acknowledging His ever-presence with me and helping me to overcome this particular temptation.
PRAYER:
May God’s Word cut through my soul and joints like a sharp sword, exposing every darkness within me; I confess to God, asking for His mercy on my particular weaknesses, praying that He would not let me encounter temptations I cannot overcome. May God walk alongside me, allowing me to have a resolute, loving, and watchful heart, so that I won’t stumble when facing challenges.
HYMN:
Speak, O Lord – youtu.be/ubRlJj8xkds
