Daily Bible Reading May 13th, 2020 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (GNT)

God’s Life-Giving Word of Faith

Introduction

1 Corinthians 10:1-13: Today’s reading begins with Paul referencing the people of Israel who were saved by God and escaped from slavery in Egypt. He claims that what happened to them serves as a warning not to desire evil things.

Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13b

God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm.

Today's Reading

Warnings against Idols

1 I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. 2In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. 3 All ate the same spiritual bread 4 and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. 5 But even then God was not pleased with most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert.

6 Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, 7 nor to worship idols, as some of them did. As the scripture says, “The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex.” 8 We must not be guilty of sexual immorality, as some of them were—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. 9 We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did—and they were killed by snakes. 10 We must not complain, as some of them did—and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death.

11All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come.

12If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall. 13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Reflect

In describing what happened to those who followed Moses, why does Paul say that what they did were written down as a warning (verse 11)? Reread verse 13. In what way does this verse attest to God’s faithfulness? When facing life’s challenges, do you find this verse a source of comfort? Why or why not?

Pray

Almighty and merciful God, you are faithful and I trust in your promises. Whenever I am tested, I know that you will give me the strength to endure it and that you will be with me, guiding me to do what is in accord with your will. Glory to you, Lord God. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those facing difficult challenges