David Bahn – Reflections

1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. ¹² Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)

Many years ago I was talking with a sister in Christ about some of the mistakes and missteps our children were taken. I have made my share of mistakes in my lifetime, and learned valuable lessons from many of those mistakes. I was confident that  our children would learn valuable lessons from their mistakes too. But a comment by this woman spoke to me. She said, “Well, I tell our kids, ‘You don’t have to make all your own mistakes to learn. You can learn from the mistakes of others.’” Why hadn’t I thought of that?!?

Part of the reason: I had made so many, and the lessons were indelibly etched in my mind and heart. I actually had learned some lessons from others’ mistakes as well, but the lessons weren’t all that compelling; they were not etched in my heart and mind like my own mistakes, thank you!

In 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 we learn that the Jewish nation came out of Egypt, passing through the sea. They drank water from a rock, wandered in the wilderness, and perished in the wilderness, before their children entered the Promised Land – led by Joshua, Moses’ successor. God wants us to benefit from others’ mistakes and failures. We are to draw lessons from the failed lives of those who dishonor God, live immorally, suppress truth, or ignore wisdom.

As we learn from others we are called to keep our own trials and difficulties in proper perspective. The same God who visits trouble (loving discipline) on us sees to it that there are escape paths and that the temptation is never too difficult to overcome. God is faithful. He showed that when Jesus came and endured and resisted every temptation in perfect faithful obedience. When we stumble now we are confident of God’s forgiveness and redeemed by Christ able to learn from our mistakes. But we must also learn from the mistakes of others so we may remain humble and put our trust in God.