Today is January 26th

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say,
“Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from 1 Corinthians 10

"For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all
under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in
the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual
drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the
wilderness…11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings
for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,
be careful that you don’t fall!"

Paul is reminding the church in Corinth that even the ancients of the faith from the time of
Moses did not always demonstrate faithfulness… even after they had experienced miraculous
things like their deliverance out of Egypt, and God’s provision for them in the desert. Do you
ever struggle between faithfulness and faithlessness?

“Be careful that you don’t fall!” How do these words make you feel? Do they feel kind, like
words spoken by an attentive caregiver, who wants you to stay safe and sound? Do they make
you feel defensive? As you hear the passage read again… consider your own spiritual
foundation: does it feel firm? Insecure?

"For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all
under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.
2 They were all baptized into Moses in
the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual
drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the
wilderness…11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings
for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,
be careful that you don’t fall!"

David, the shepherd King and OT Psalmist, prayed that God would search Him and know His
heart. Today, invite the Spirit of God to search you and know you in the same way. To show you
places where you are standing firm? Can you also invite God to call to mind areas in your life
where you should exercise spiritual care?

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day:
Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity;
and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music Credit:
Take My Life - Vineyard Music/Scott Underwood
Take My Life