by Pastor Rich Carlson

Paul starts chapter 10 of his first letter to the Corinthians with an illustration from the wandering children of Israel and the lessons they had to learn the hard way. I believe he hoped that the Corinthians (and I) would not have to struggle like they did. He talked about crossing the Red Sea, drinking from the Rock (called Jesus, giving evidence that Jesus was in the Old Testament too!), and other stories.

He said that all these things were given to them for the first of two reasons—to keep me from setting my heart on evil things like they did! He gives three specific illustrations of the evil they did that caused them so much trouble:

1. They got involved in idolatry—which he defined as “indulging in pagan revelry.” He further defines it as more than worshipping inanimate objects. This idolatry included “committing sexual immorality” that “caused 23,000 of them to die in a plague in one day.”
2. They “tested the Lord” and they were “killed by snakes”
3. They “grumbled against the Lord” and they were “killed by the destroying angel.”

It appears pretty obvious that God did not mess around with sin, and Paul didn’t want the Corinthians to either. That message can apply to me today too, I believe. I want to believe that God does not use such harsh measures any more because I have not seen any plagues, snakes or destroying angels lately, but I wonder if the consequences are really any less today.

All three of these experiences seem to have one thing in common—this attitude: I’ll do what I want and I’ll consider myself the ultimate authority on what’s right or good for me. It really seems to be about selfishness, wanting my own way on my own terms, and being in charge of my life. Thank you God—but I’ll do it myself. Don’t tell me what to do. Don’t tell me what you think is best for me. And don’t get in my way. I may not use those exact words, but sometimes I live like those exact ideas rule my life!

And then comes the second reason for this morbid illustration: If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! I can get self-sufficient in my life in this society. It can carry over to my spiritual life quite easily. I decide what is best for me in the rest of life, why not do it in my spiritual life as well? And that is where I get into trouble, just like the children of Israel and just like the believers in Corinth.

And this is where the promise of our text comes in today (1Corinthians 10:13):

1. No temptation has come to me that hasn’t come to others before me
2. God is faithful
3. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can handle
4. He will provide a way of escape
5. I will be able to stand—if I learn the lessons of 
     a.    not setting my heart on evil
     b.    not thinking I am doing fine on my own

I like this promise because of the assurance I can have about living victoriously. I also like it because it tells me that it’s about God and not me. It’s about trusting Him and not myself. It’s about choosing His ways and not my ways. It’s about God-reliance not self-reliance.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.