2009年1月6日 星期二

2009-01-06 Devotionals Today

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青草地上


妥協──是否對呢?

粵語 國語

第6天


讀經:   但以理書三章8至18節

我們的生活模式、衣著風格或舉止行為,很容易受朋輩影響。許多時候,我們都會抱著「所有人都這樣做」的心態,來解釋自己的做法是合理的。然而,隨從大眾是否永遠是對的呢?

今天的經文便告訴我們,有三位猶太人的信徒竟敢獨排眾議,在金像的開光禮上,當音樂奏起,所有人都連忙跪下之際,他們卻寧死不跪。他們屹立在人海之中,彷彿三株挺拔的棕櫚樹堅立在荒蕪的沙漠上一樣。

當尼布甲尼撒王得悉三人不聽從命令跪拜金像,當然是勃然大怒。不過,他仍然願意給他們一個最後機會去跪拜金像,要是他們依然頑梗,就得面對嚴峻的酷刑。

此刻,這三位年輕人面對一個妥協的機會。他們大可以說:「王既然親自要求我們,我們就姑且順從他吧!他一直對我們不薄。嗯,我們也許應該聽從王令,所有人都依從了,我們還堅持甚麼,我們終歸要為到自己的前途著想吧。」

然而,他們卻沒有妥協,他們斬釘截鐵地一口拒絕。他們大概說了以下一番話:「不需要再花時間去考慮了,我們已經決定不拜金像。我們信奉的神已經明言,我們只可敬拜祂,因為祂是獨一的真神。所以,即使我們要死,我們也決不會跪拜金像。我們相信神有能力拯救我們,但即使祂不救我們脫離死亡,我們仍然堅持決定,不拜金像。」

我們知道,王立即命人把他們三人丟進烈焰的火??,但隨即有一件神蹟發生(24、25節)。耶穌基督親自來到火??面,與他們同在;而且,縱然火光熊熊,但他們連頭髮也沒有燒焦(27節)。

在場的人一定看得目瞪口呆,無法相信眼前的神蹟。後來,連王本人也得承認這三位年輕人所相信的神,是一個偉大的神。我們能否同樣在困難中堅守立場,讓神得著最終的榮耀呢?拯救他們的救主,此刻,也正與我們同在。無論我們在任何境況,都求主幫助吧!祂必日日與你同在,你只管信靠祂,祂是大能的拯救者。

反思:

神曾經說過:「我必不撇下你,也不丟棄你。」(書一5)

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COMPROMISE - IS IT EVER RIGHT?
Day 6


Bible Reading:   Daniel 3:8-18
One of the strongest influences on the life-style, dress or actions of most people is peer pressure. "Everyone is doing it" becomes the justification for our behavior in a variety of circumstances, but does that always make it right?

Our reading today is the story of how three believers did the opposite of everyone else. On the dedication day for Nebuchadnezzar's huge golden image, three Jewish men remained standing while thousands and thousands of others knelt as the music began. The three believers stood out like three palm trees in a barren desert.

Nebuchadnezzar reacted furiously to their disobedience, yet he gave them one more opportunity to bow down to the image, or else face the consequences.

It was a compromising situation which faced the three young men. It would have been easy to say, "This is the king who is asking us. He's been very good to us. Perhaps we ought to do what he asks. Everyone else has. We need to think about our future too."

However, they refused again, plainly and bluntly. Paraphrasing their answer, they said, "We don't need time to think about it, we have already made up our minds. God has said we must worship Him and Him alone, even if it means death for us. We also believe God can save us from being burned to death. Even if He doesn't, our answer is still the same - NO".

You know what happened next. Something unexpected took place (vv.24-25). Jesus Christ came and stood with them in the incredible heat of the furnace and not even their hair was singed! (v.27).

What a testimony it was to those watching! Even the king acknowledged the greatness of the young men's God. Can we bring the same glory to God? The same Saviour will always be with us, no matter what our circumstances are. Ask Him for his help today. He will be with you in whatever circumstances you may find yourself in today or any day. Trust Him. He is able.

GOD HAS SAID, "NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU. NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU." (Jos.1:5)

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