2008年5月5日 星期一

2008-05-05 Devotionals Today

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青草地上


曠野中的食物

粵語 國語

第 5 天

讀經:出埃及記十六章1至8節

  自以色列人準備就緒,從離開埃及至今只不過短短數週,但他們的確經歷的卻是非常驚心動魄!在離開前的第一個「逾越節」晚上,他們因著羔羊的血而得蒙拯救;當神的使者在天上越過時便免被滅命。他們出埃及的時候,有火柱和雲柱引領他們。接著,他們親眼看見紅海分開,讓他們安然走過彼岸。過了幾天,神又使苦水變成甜水。如今,他們將要看見神怎樣在曠野中為他們提供食物。神的能力從來不會受環境所限制。

  以色列人在曠野行走,苦無食物,於是又開始發怨言。他們的不信,正是忘恩負義的表現。他們不單不懂得信靠神,反而緬懷埃及的生活(3節)。在信仰的歷程中,埃及正是世界的寫照。當信徒的心思經常惦念世界的事,他就不能夠真正去信靠神了。

  神聽見他們的怨懟之聲,於是承諾賜給他們食物。但你有沒有留意神還要做甚麼呢?請看第4節。神賜下食物的方式,是要考驗百姓是否聽從祂的吩咐。我們將會在明天的查經中,看看那是個怎樣的考驗,以及百姓是否通得過考驗。

  這當中所涉及的原則卻值得每一代的信徒反思。我們可能正做著神的工作,可是,我們有否停下來反問自己(和求問神),我們是否用神所指示的方法去做?依從神的指示去做,就一如做神的工作那樣重要。

  最後,願我們以這首詩歌作為我們的勉勵:

主凡事引導(生命聖詩313首)
救世主凡事引導我,彎曲路祂賜喜樂,
遇試煉主賜恩相助,生命糧日日賜我。
我步履雖疲乏欲跌,我心靈乾渴無力,
幸我見靈磐現我前,喜樂泉湧流不息。
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOOD IN THE DESERT

Day 5

BIBLE READING: Exodus 16:1-8

What a tremendous few weeks it had been since Israel had left Egypt! On the first night they had been saved by the blood of the lamb at the 'passover' time. When they left Egypt they had been guided by the pillar of fire and cloud. They had seen the Red Sea open up to allow them to go safety through. Several days later God had given them to go safely through. Several days later God had given them sweet water instead of bitter. Now they were to see how God could give them food even in a desert. Circumstances can never limit God's power.

Under the pressure of hunger, the Children of Israel again began to complain. Unbelief has a short memory. Instead of trusting God, they began to turn their hearts back to Egypt (v.3). Egypt has always been a picture of the world. No believer can really trust God while his mind is going back to the things of the world.

God heard their complaint and promised to supply them with both meat and bread. But did you notice what else he said? Look at verse 4 again. God would provide food in such a way that it would test their obedience to his instructions. We will see in our next reading just what his test was and how it worked.

The principle involved still holds good. We may be doing God's work, but have we ever stopped to ask ourselves (and God) if we are doing it in God's way? This is just as important as doing the work itself.

The hymn says it very well. Why not sing the first verse as you finish this reading today?

'When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word,
What a glory he sheds on our way.
While we do his good will he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.'

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