1 Corinthians 10:1-13

 1For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers
were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual
food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock
that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not
pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.   6Now
these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things
as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people
sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” 8We should
not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three
thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and
were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were
killed by the destroying angel.   11These things happened to them as examples and
were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has
come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Meditation
1. Temptation is the pressure to take our own way, to indulge ourselves, to
spurn God, to plunge into doubt or despair, lust or anger, to give in to our
own feelings and let them draw conclusions about our worth based on what
other people say about us or what we say about ourselves.  It’s an ever-present
pressure.  Sometimes it’s from others, and other times it’s from within.  But
Paul says not to worry for God will never let us down, never let us pushed
past our limit.  He will be there.  Always.  Not as a lecturer but as a Helper.
2. What temptations do I most consistently have to face? Does v13 encourage
or frustrate me? Why?
3. Tell it to Jesus and ask His help in acknowledge His ever-presence with me
and helping me to overcome this particular temptation.

Personal Note:
My initial understanding of temptation is very simple.  Temptation is being greedy and loves money.  Temptation is being lustful and desiring sexual things.  I thought that once I overcame the temptation of wealth and lust.  I am set to be holy for life.  With God's help, I overcame some temptations, but then I realize that the spiritual journey is a marathon.  There are tougher temptations and alternative forms of the temptation of riches and lust.

I would have to confess that I gave in to various temptations.  Currently, I am facing the temptations of doubt and despair about my identity and ministry.  The time when I fought and rely on God's strength was the time I am convinced that God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.