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There’s Hope, January 2
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Now these things which happened to our ancestors are illustrations of the
way in which God works, and they were written down to be a warning to
us who are the heirs of the ages which have gone before us.
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Corinthians 10:11
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The murmurings of ancient Israel and their rebellious discontent, as well as
the mighty miracles wrought in their favor and the punishment of their idolatry
and ingratitude, are recorded for our benefit. The example of ancient Israel is
given as a warning to the people of God, that they may avoid unbelief and escape
His wrath. If the iniquities of the Hebrews had been omitted from the Sacred
Record, and only their virtues recounted, their history would fail to teach us the
lesson that it does....
If God’s people would recognize His dealings with them and accept His
teachings, they would find a straight path for their feet and a light to guide
them through darkness and discouragement. David learned wisdom from God’s
dealings with him and bowed in humility beneath the chastisement of the Most
High. The faithful portrayal of his true state by the prophet Nathan made David
acquainted with his own sins and aided him to put them away. He accepted
counsel meekly and humiliated himself before God. “The law of the Lord,” he
exclaims, “is perfect, converting the soul.”
Repentant sinners have no cause to despair because they are reminded of
their transgressions and warned of their danger. These very efforts in their behalf
show how much God loves them and desires to save them. They have only to
follow His counsel and do His will, to inherit eternal life. God sets the sins of
His erring people before them, that they may behold them in all their enormity
under the light of divine truth. It is then their duty to renounce them forever.
God is as powerful to save from sin today as He was in the times of the
patriarchs, of David, and of the prophets and apostles. The multitude of cases
recorded in sacred history where God has delivered His people from their own
iniquities should make the Christian of this time eager to receive divine instruc-
tion and zealous to perfect a character that will bear the close inspection of the
judgment
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Testimonies for the Church 4:11-15
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