Devotional 3-2-13

Scripture is from 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

Lent for me has always been a lot less than comfortable.  Perhaps the sadness of Good Friday makes this time much different from Advent.  The anticipation of something wonderful occurring is much more uplifting than anticipation of a very horrible action taking place.

The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians in the first ten verses of Chapter 10 takes us through the “Readers Digest” version of the Hebrews leaving Egypt and their time in the wilderness.  The first twelve verses, if reviewed by someone out of context, would not be a great way to say come on and join us.  It recalls the death of 23,000 people and snakes, for goodness sake.

The intent of Paul was to make an analogy for the church at Corinth and compare their attitudes to those of Hebrews in the desert.  It is an object lesson that in the beginning instructs and in the end offers encouragement, reassurance and hope.

I think this opportunity may bring light to Lent for all of us.  It does have one bad day in it that none of us would or could endure if we did not have the Hope of Easter Morning.

God bless!  

Mike Bowen