A privileged position provides no protection from the chastening hand of God. Paul sought to convince the Corinthian believers of this very truth using the example of God’s earthly people, the Jews. He points out that the children of Israel all enjoyed God’s divine presence, power, and protection in departing from Egypt and marching through the wilderness. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink” (I Corinthians 10:1-4).
The children of Israel were led by the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. They all did pass through the Red Sea as on dry ground. God gave them Moses, the great man of God, to lead them on their journey. And, finally, they were fed with manna from heaven and drank water from the rock in the wilderness. Certainly, they enjoyed great privileges as God’s people. Yet Paul points out that “with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (I Corinthians 10:5).
The Israelites, in spite of the great privilege they enjoyed, were disobedient to God on multiple occasions which resulted in his judgement throughout their 40-year wilderness experience. Paul notes that on various occasions they were guilty of lusting after evil things, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, and murmuring (vs. 6-10). In every instance God judged his people for their disobedience. Yet Paul notes that “all these things happened unto them for an example and they are written for our admonition” (I Corinthians 10:11).
The faithful character of God is on display through his dealings with the children of Israel. We learn that he is always faithful to judge sin, even in his own earthly people. He had redeemed them out of Egypt and made them his own people. Even so, he would not pass over their sinful affronts to his holy being. The warning to us is clear as Paul writes, “Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12).
As a child of God, I dare not take sin casually. I cannot follow after it and be safe. God sent his Son to take away our sins (I John 3:5). He desires that we depart from our sins and though we are often tempted to sin, he graciously provides a means of overcoming in every occasion! “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer (or permit) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13).
Again, it is God who is faithful. We can depend on him to assist us in every temptation. He desires our best and it is always for our best that we overcome sin and its destructive results. Dear child of God, trust him to help you in your battle with sin. Resist, flee (if need be), and overcome.
From the Chaplain 