Day 44: Warnings from Israel’s History

1 Corinthians 9, 10, 11

The most powerful and eye opening portion of tonight’s reading was the reference that Paul makes to the Corinthians that Israel’s history should serve as a warning.

⁶Now these things occurred as examples^[a] to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:6

As Israel’s history served as a warning, we should heed it as a warning as well.  How many times have you said that you don’t understand how the Bible (such an old book) apply to you now?  How many times have you heard it being said?  Next time, I’ll be equipped with 1 Corinthians, chapter 10 – to prove otherwise.

¹¹These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. ¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Again, there was another reminder that Israel’s history should be viewed as a warning.  It even goes as far as saying that be careful – even though you may think you are standing firm.  Then it ends all warnings with comfort and a promise.  God is faithful and he will not tempt you more than what you can bear and that even in temptation, he will provide a way out.  It’s His promise.  Now, when you reflect back to every predicament you have been in – the one where you felt utterly destroyed and didn’t know how to escape the temptation, you got through it, right? God is the one person that you can completely know to be faithful.

Dear Lord – you are our promise and it is such a beautiful promise at that.  To know that you provide us warnings of how to not blossom in sin so that we don’t make the same mistakes that Israel committed against you.  It also affirms that you are ultimately a loving God that should be feared.  Allow your words to pierce my heart – so that I may turn completely to You.  Thank you for being so faithful in Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 45: Love is…

1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14

We’ve all heard this recited in wedding vows:

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

But why?

When reading over Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, it is apparent that Paul loves them.  He wants to explain that love is the greatest spiritual gift.  Without love, there is no purpose, there is no reason.  Paul even explains that things done without love, is only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal, is nothing and gains nothing.

The definition of love in verses 4 – 7, is not just for husbands and wives, but is to serve as a reminder of what love is.  There aren’t volumes to it, there aren’t trick questions for it either….love is love.  Unconditionally.

Lord: How great is this gift that you have given us – of love.  I pray for humility, to be able to pull back thoughts and feelings of anger, disappointment and hurt – and remember what exactly love is.  It’s not just for when it is easy.  Love can be one of the most difficult things that you have ever been asked to do.  Lord, create in me a still heart, so that I may be able to remember the love that I was shown – and to have a desire to love all others.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.