"all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness. These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did.” 1 Cor. 10:4-6.
On the morning of May 18, 1980, in Washington State that lies between Seattle and Portland. A volcano erupted in Mount Helens. Not from its peak but from its side. In the minutes that followed, volcanic violence devastated the landscape, unleashing eight times more energy than was released by the sum of every explosive dropped during World War II. For two months prior to the massive blast—the most deadly and destructive in American history—earthquakes and volcanic activity signalled a major event was underway. Authorities had plenty of time to sound the alarm and warn those living nearby of the looming danger. Yet despite the seriousness of the threat, some people chose to disregard the warnings. It erupted killing 57 people and dramatically altering the landscape.
The Bible is full of warnings. God so loved us that He gives us warnings in the forms of commands and examples. Sure, they are negative and may make us “squirmy” when we read or hear them. And I would add, we probably read them in private more than hear them in public. For instance, how much do we hear in sermons on God’s wrath, hell, judgement, damnation, repentance, and the warning passages to flee sin and worldliness that include the soul-damaging consequences if we don’t heed them? It is not loving to avoid these uncomfortable but Biblical truths. It is one of the highest expressions of love to warn people of these “hard” things in our Bibles.
In our text, today’s scripture is clear, although one of such hard scriptures that brings timely warning to us as believers. Here we have God’s clear warning to not follow bad examples. These examples were His people of old who brought great displeasure to Him by their refusal to heed His warnings. They were warnings to avoid four things; idolatry, sexual immorality, presumption upon His grace, and complaining of His dealings with them. Even though these bad examples lived a long time ago, God has not changed. He still warns us, His New Covenant people, to stay away from the same things. Yes, these four sins are alive and well in our world and God commands us avoid them. We must avoid idolatry in all lts entirety. It's compulsory that we avoid every illicit sexual activities as youth and married. We must avoid presumptuous ways through the help of God, it's important that we stay away from complaining, grumbling and being dissatisfied with the dealings and the counsel of God for our lives. Selah!
FURTHER READING:
But while the meat was still between their teeth, before they chewed it, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague.” Num. 11:33.
“when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; he brought the young men of Israel to their knees.” Psa. 78:31.
DECLARATION:
Dear Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of being alive in the land of the living. I stand upon Your word and proclaim that I walk worthy of your counsel and your purpose, the lines falls for me in pleasant places nothing is permitted to die within and around me on the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts. 19:1-41.
Acts. 20:1-38.
Acts. 21-40.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“If The Past Can't Warn You, The Future Can't Inspire You.”
