2008-12-31 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 禧年 粵語 國語 第31天 讀經：   利未記二十五章1至10節 我們在這裡看見舊約時代一幅最美麗的圖畫──安息年和禧年。按照規定，每七年就有一個安息年(1至7節)。百姓要在那年讓地休息，不作耕種或播種。某些債項獲得豁免(申十五1-11)，並且要公開誦讀神的律法給百姓聽(申三十一10-13)。 因此，安息年不單是讓土地休養生息，更是為了百姓本身的好處而設立。神的旨意並非叫百姓呆坐一年，而是希望他們用更多時間去認識神的話語。 此外，神也希望百姓能操練信心。請看第20至22節。百姓若聽從神的吩咐，神便會在第六年賜給他們豐收，足夠他們在第七年、甚至第八年享用。百姓能夠倚靠這位豐厚仁愛的神，實在是太幸福了！ 然後，每五十年便有一禧年。它是以贖罪日作為開始，突顯這年是以喜樂和贖罪為基礎。 當以色列人聽到角聲吹響的那刻，一定是非常振奮、快樂和充滿期待的。這是一個重新檢視人生和各歸本家的時刻，也是休息和復興的日子；神會將預定的祝福豐富地降給祂的百姓(參18、22節) 以色列人如果遵守神的律例，便能經歷這禧年的祝福。從某個角度而言，每個以色列人都可以在禧年之始，揭開人生的新一頁。 對於我們今天的信徒來說，安息年和禧年又有何意義呢？希伯來書指出，神為每個屬祂的人預備了「安息」。每個信徒都可以憑著信心得享這「安息」──相信耶穌基督已為我們作成了一切，心靈因此而得著平安。我們不再仗倚自己，或不斷爭取和掙扎，反之，卻因著信靠祂會保守我們在祂的愛裡，信靠祂必顧念我們，因而在祂裡面得著真正的安息。 我們只要每天信靠祂的看顧和帶領，便能經歷這真正的安息。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE YEAR OF JUBILEE Day 31 Bible Reading:   Leviticus 25:1-10 Here is one of the most wonderful pictures in the Old . Testament-the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee year. The I Sabbatical year came every seven years (v. 1-7). The land was not to be ploughed or sown that year. Certain debts were to be forgiven (Deut. 15:1-11) and there was to be the public reading I of God's law (Deut. 31 :10-13). This year then was not only for the benefit of the land, but for the people as well. God's intention was not that the people should be idle for a whole year but that extra time should be given to the reading and studying of God's Word. It also meant the exercise of faith. Look at verses 20-22. If the people obeyed the Lord, he would give them such an abundant harvest each sixth year that they would have sufficient to carry them through the seventh and on into the eighth year. Isn't it wonderful to have a God who can count? The Jubilee year came every 50 years. It began with the Day of Atonement, which emphasised the basis of their year of rejoicing and redemption. What a wonderful sound that Jubilee trumpet must have been to all the Children of Israel! Can you imagine the scene -the thrill, the expectancy, the laughter, the rejoicing. It was a time of review, of return, of going back to the old , home. It was a time of rest and a time of revival, when God commanded blessing on his people (see v. 18, 22). If only Israel had obeyed these beautiful provisions what a blessing they might have known. In one sense, life for Israel would have begun again every fifty years. What are the lessons these years have for us? The book of Hebrews speaks of the 'rest' that God has planned for his people. It is a rest of faith which is available for every believer. A peace of mind and heart is ours because of what Christ has done for us. There is a resting in him, not trusting in ourselves or working or striving to keep ourselves in his love and care. It is a day by day acceptance of what we have in Christ and by faith leaving our lives in his hands.