READING: Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 123, 1 Corinthians 10
This year, I’ve enjoyed writing these devotions from the New Testament. In some ways, it’s reminded me of my early days as a believer when I leapfrogged much of the Old Testament (after Exodus, actually, with a few excursions into the book of Psalms) and read through the New Testament. It was years later before I learned the great significance and necessity of knowing the Old Testament equally well.
In fact, I’m looking forward to writing Old Testament devotions in 2021. Today’s word from Paul reminds us again of the value of knowing these stories. These Old Testament sagas are examples to us—warnings, even—against falling into sins of idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, grumbling, and any other failures of arrogant people who risk the very judgment of God on them.
God so loves us that He recorded the stories of His people for our instruction. He teaches us, cautions us, and commands us to flee from idolatry—and always provides a way of escape. May we be wise enough today to hear these lessons!
PRAYER: “God, help me to learn from the failures of others (and from my own in the past).”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38-40, Psalm 68, 1 Corinthians 11