QT 3/25/2025 1 Cor 10:1-11, Believing he cares

1 Corinthians 10:1–11 (ESV) —

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

 

NOTE: Paul is arguing that the Exodus generation were believers, they were baptized, they ate spiritual food, and drank spiritual water from the Rock which was Christ. But God was not pleased with them, and all but two physically died in the desert failing to get to the promised land. They put God to the test and were destroyed. They grumbled against God's plan and were destroyed. Technically, if they believed, they were saved, but they missed out on being part of God's plan here on earth. In Hebrews, it says their fault was unbelief, but not in regards to salvation, rather their unbelief was in a God that cared for them. As Hebrews says:

 

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) — And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 

What does it mean to please God? It means to obey. A believer cannot increase or decrease God's love for them. His love is incredible and unchanging. But, we can please or displease him by our actions and our faith.

 

Hebrews 11:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

 

What is my faith like? Do I believe he understands what is going on my life and cares about it?

 

PONDER:

1. Does my faith in God's activities in my life please God?
2. Do I really understand how much God loves me?
3. Am I obedient to his word?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for my salvation and the changed life you have wrought within me. Continue to work your miracle withing me. I pray I would please you in all that I do.