MARCH 14, 2013
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 Cor. 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 Tim. 3:16-17).
Thank You, Lord, for the guidance of Your Word.
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
God’s warnings are to protect us, not to punish us.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
