1 Coirinthians 10:1-5
"For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness."
After Moses led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, they had to travel quite some distance on foot to arrive at their destination - the Promised Land. God had promised Abraham many years earlier that his offspring would one day become a great nation. God was leading this nation through the wilderness to inherit that land where they would live.
The problem for the Israelites was that it would be hard work. Traveling long distances, battling the enemy, dealing with hunger and thirst - these are not easy things. Even though they had been in slavery in Egypt, at least they'd had plenty to eat and drink, and knew where they would sleep each night!
They had become comfortable in their captivity. Stepping out into God's will was not comfortable. In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul is telling us that the Israelites worshiped and followed the same God that we worship and follow. He hasn't changed. They received their guidance from the same "spiritual Rock" as we do. That Rock is Jesus Christ.
But following Jesus can become very uncomfortable at times. The difficulties we encounter as Christ followers are not what most people would choose, or consider fun. But Jesus doesn't call us to follow Him so we could enjoy the ride. He calls us to follow Him so that we can become more like Him, so that we can be made holy as He is holy.
We must heed the example of the Israelites (see 1 Corinthians 10:6-13). They lived to eat, drink, and play. And as a result, many of them were destroyed. They desired comfort, and when they didn't get it, they grumbled. And many of them were destroyed. God does not call you to a life of comfort. I continue to hear James 1:2 in the back of my mind: "Count it all joy...when you meet trials of various kinds."
We are not called to a life of comfort. We are called to a life of following Jesus at any cost.
6 comments:
How true this lesson is for our lives. We can choose comfort or we can chose to step out and make a difference...sometimes with cost involved. Being a strong, devoted Christian isn't an easy road @all. We're so sorry for what you, Nancy, Garren& the girls are facing right now. Weknow that Satan wants to destoy the ones who choose to lay down their lives for Jesus....to be completely sold out. Thank God our Savior is still in control& will protect his children. We know that he will be glorified in the end just as he is being glorified right now. Praying for more good things today for you all.
Love ya'll,
Donna, Ritchie, Racheal, Katherine, Luke, Madelyn& Brady
Keep your eyes on Jesus, your faith in Jesus, and your steps with Jesus...and smile!!! Love and Prayers, Sandy & Russ
such good "life lessons" in your words today! Being sold out to Jesus has it cost! Sometimes it our time, sometimes it can be our "stash money" going to the homeless person on the corner, sometimes it can be hours at the hospital waiting on the paint to dry....I want to be sold out completely to Him.
Keep on keeping on! we are praying!
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Good night Janes family...even though it is not time for bed, I hope you find the time to rest in Him...please tell Garren we are praying for him and can't wait until he can share his marvelous adventure that he and God are having!! We love you all...Sandy & Russ
remember the chorus.."I have decided to follow Jesus..." and "the world behind me, the cross before me." and, one more, "though no one joins me, still I will follow..." And one of my favoite verses is in Psalm 23....enen though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me..." Janes, family, your choice is/was to follow Jesus..no matter what, you can't go wrong if you follow Him...Garren is so much a part of some wonderful plan that God is laying out...we all will follow and be willing to be a part of that plan...smile. Love, Sandy & Russ
My heart really goes out to you guys. I can hear the pain and struggling in your posts. But I can also see you clinging to Christ and holding on to Him with all your might. Thank you for this post and all your others. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for sharing your Faith and insight. This post especially. I daily think of and try to imagine how difficult this is for your family. I do look at our children and Alln differently and realize how quickly everything could change. I am praying more and hearing God more in my life. I am better understanding His Word when I am reading. But this post, WOW. Talk about taking about a punch in the gut that knocks the wind out. That is what it felt like. How easy it is for us to "grumble" and complain daily without even realizing it. This has reminded me to "get over it" and "let it go". As long as we have Christ in our lives and put him first and remember he is always beside us, we will stay strong and united. He will always provide what we need. Again thank you for just putting it out there like you do and reminding me of what a Christ follower looks like. Wendy P.
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