Musings on a Tuesday Morning at the end of January

Musings on a Tuesday Morning at the End of January

Reading in Exodus, the time leading up to, during, following that event which was pivotal in Israel's history, I am struck by this:  as long as they were miserable, fearing for their lives, even in the time immediately following their escape/deliverance, the Israelites were obedient.  But days later, not only did their obedience flag, they began to complain about their circumstances and their leaders--not necessarily in that order.

What difference is there between them and us?  As the hymn puts it, "Fast bound in sin and nature's night," we called for deliverance.  When God graciously granted it, how long did we really give thanks before we began to grumble about this, that, and the other thing?  This brings me back to 1 Corinthians 10 where we read, "Now these things took place as examples for us" (verse 6).  This is an instructive chapter, one worth reading parallel to Exodus.

Don't miss these verses in 1 Corinthians 10: "Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  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" (verses 12-13).

I am thankful for both the warning of verse 12 and  the promise of verse 13.