NOT WELL PLEASED!

NOT WELL PLEASED!

1 Cor 10:1-5

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

          Five times Paul uses the word “all” to point out that the entire congregation of the Jews enjoyed God’s special blessings. All enjoyed the protection of the covering cloud. All passed through the Red Sea – a type of baptism. All ate manna and all drank from the Rock which typified Christ. Yet with many of them, in fact all but two, God was not well pleased.

          I am a bit amused at the understatement of God’s displeasure. “Not well pleased” does not begin to describe God’s disappointment with their performance under pressure. God loved them but was certainly not happy with them.

          The same God who leads us lead them. If we sin in the same way we can expect similar punishment from a loving God. Privilege makes us all the more responsible for our behavior. The special privileges we enjoy because of our relationship with Christ does not excuse bad behavior. Paul urged the Corinthians to personal self-discipline.

1 Cor 9:26-27

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

          Even though I am saved and kept by grace I do not have the luxury of living carelessly. God will not excuse my sin but will lovingly but firmly correct me. I can expect this as part of His faithful nature.

Prov 3:11-12

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord ; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord  loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Dear Lord, I am very well pleased with you. Please help me to live so that you may be well pleased with me. AMEN