In 1 Cor 10:1-13, Paul reports on the facts of what God did during the wilderness wanderings, citing His miraculous deliverance, His miraculous provision and His miraculous presence. Nonetheless (a strong word!), this did not result in ongoing faithfulness on the part of the Israelites.
The faithfulness of God is one of the common threads throughout all Scripture. At the end of this section, Paul reminds us that no temptation can ever come against us that is insurmountable; God always provides a way out for His people (1 Cor 10:13). Temptation will always be present in this life (as Warren Wiersbe says, ‘We never come to the place in our Christian walk where we are free from temptation and potential failure.’ ‘Be Wise’, P 102) However, temptation or testing can be used by God to strengthen our dependence on Him and to develop perseverance and character (see James 1:3-5, 13-15). There is no temptation which is unique; all of us have to go through these trials, but God controls the context of our temptation and ‘personally and providentially provides a specific way of escape.’ (Keith Krell)
Despite the trials and temptations we face, we have the confirmation that God is faithful to uphold us and sustain us at all times. Let’s meditate on His faithfulness and hold fast to these promises:
- Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deut 7:9)
- He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deut 32:4)
- All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. (Ps 25:4)
- For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Ps 33:4)
- Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. (Ps 36:5)
- For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. (Ps 57:10)
- Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps 86:11)
- But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithful (Ps 86:15/ Ps 108:4)
- Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. (Ps 119:90)
- Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. (Ps 145:13)
- Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Is 11:5)
- Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. (Is 25:1)
- God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:9)
- But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” (2 Cor 1:18)
- The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thess 5:24)
- But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thess 3:3)
- But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. (Heb 3:3)
- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:23)
- These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. (Rev 3:14)
‘Now unto the king who reigns over all, and never changes or turns
Unfailing justice, unfading grace,
Whose promises remain,
Yes, Your promises remain.
The heavens ring, the saints all sing,
Great is your faithfulness
From age to age we will proclaim
Great is your faithfulness,
How great is your faithfulness.
Everything changes, but You stay the same;
Your word and kingdom endure
We lean on the promise of all that you are, and trust forevermore.
We will trust forevermore
From generation to generation
You never fail us, oh God.
Yesterday and today and tomorrow
Until the day You return.
How great is your faithfulness.’ (‘How Great Is Your Faithfulness’, Matt Redman)
