BLACK BOXES

BLACK BOXES

READ:
1 Corinthians 10:1-11

These things happened to them
as examples, and they were
written for our admonition.
-1 Corinthians 10:11

Commercial aircraft carry two flight-data recorders called "black boxes."  One logs the performance and condition of the aircraft in flight, and the other records the conversation of the crew with air-traffic controllers on the ground.  These boxes are insulated to protect against extreme temperatures and are fitted with underwater locator beacons that emit sounds to the surface.  After an airplane crash, these boxes are retrieved and the data carefully analyzed to determine the cause of the crash.  Air safety experts want to learn from past mistakes, among other things, so they won't be repeated.

As Christians, we too should look at mistakes from the past and learn from them.  Paul, for example, alluded to some of the mistakes the Israelites made in their journey from Egypt to Canaan.  He wrote that because God was not pleased with them, many died in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5).  Paul went on to explain that "these things happened to them as examples for us.  They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age" (v.11 NLT).

The inspired Word of God is written for our instruction for living (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Thank You, Lord, for the guidance of Your Word. -C.P. Hia

For Your holy Book we thank You;
May its message be our guide,
May we understand the wisdom
Of the truth Your laws provide. - Carter
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God's warnings are to protect us, not to punish us.

INSIGHT
Believers stand in a state of unmerited favor based on the finished work of Christ on the cross (Romans 5).  However, our position in Christ does not remove the possibility of divine discipline.  In today's reading, we see how God delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt.  Some of them, however, were punished in the wilderness because of flagrant sin (1 Corinthians 10:6-11).  This serves as a warning for us to live godly lives.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace