讀經: 以賽亞書三十七章14至20節 14希西家從使者手裡接過書信來,看完了,就上耶和華的殿,將書信在耶和華面前展開。 15希西家向耶和華禱告說: 16坐在二基路伯上萬軍之耶和華─以色列的神啊,你─惟有你是天下萬國的神,你曾創造天地。 17耶和華啊,求你側耳而聽;耶和華啊,求你睜眼而看,要聽西拿基立的一切話,他是打發使者來辱罵永生神的。 18耶和華啊,亞述諸王果然使列國和列國之地變為荒涼, 19將列國的神像都扔在火裡;因為他本不是神,乃是人手所造的,是木頭、石頭的,所以滅絕他。 20耶和華─我們的神啊,現在求你救我們脫離亞述王的手,使天下萬國都知道唯有你是耶和華。 |
神真是值得我們去信靠嗎?神真是會垂聽人的禱告嗎?在三十六至三十八章所記述的故事中,我們找到其中一個對應這兩個問題的重要答案。藉著這件事例,我們可以看見當神聽見祂的兒女向祂呼求時,祂願意幫助他們到怎樣的一個地步。我們今天所讀的經文,正是這個故事的核心。 話說希西家王接到亞述王的一封信,信中說到他遲一些會回來摧毀耶路撒冷。希西家沒有想過要回信給他,反而跑到聖殿,將信件在神面前展開。他祈求神去處理這個危急的情況。他從經驗得知,亞述王的軍力是何等強大,若以人的計算,一定會說:「沒有用的,反抗也沒有用,還是照他所說的去做吧!」今天,撒但還是經常在神兒女的耳邊說類似的話。 希西家怎樣做呢?(14節)他立即去到聖殿禱告。一個對神有信心的人,便會懂得即時去到神的面前求助。詩篇四十六篇是希西家所寫的,他在詩的一開始便說:「神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助」。 留意希西家怎樣祈求神。他並不是籠統地向神祈求;反而他承認神的偉大,他求神垂聽他的祈禱,把難題告訴祂,並求神「求你立即懲罰這些惡人」。神看重希西家的信心,應允了他的禱告。 在你的人生中,你曾經遇過一些危急的關頭,不知該如何處理嗎?學習憑信心和禱告,將它帶到神的面前吧!將整件事情,在神面前一一陳明吧,並求祂為你去解決。 不要聽撒但的說話,他會不斷地對你說:「沒有用的,放棄吧!神不會聽你的禱告,更不會應允你的祈求」。撒但最擅長在我們的腦海中散播這些思想。然而,我們必須學習希西家,將一切問題交在神的手裡,等候神為我們解決問題。我們願意學習嗎? |
Bible Reading: Isaiah 37:14-20 14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: 16 "O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 18 Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 20 Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone." |
Is it really worthwhile to trust in God? Does God really answer prayer? In this story (chapters 36-38) we find one of the great answers in the Bible to these questions. This incident can teach us how much God will do for a child of his who prays. The verses we have read are the heart of the story. Hezekiah had received a letter from the King of Assyria saying that he would return later to destroy Jerusalem. Hezekiah did not try to answer the letter. He took it into the Temple and spread it out before the Lord. He asked God to deal with the situation. Experience had shown how tremendously powerful the King of Assyria was and human wisdom would have said, 'It's no use-just do what he asks'. Satan very often says that to God's people today. What did Hezekiah do (v.14)? He went up into the house of God to pray. Faith turns to God immediately and instinctively. It was Hezekiah who wrote the 46th Psalm which begins 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'. Notice how Hezekiah asked God to do certain things. He did not just say 'Lord do whatever you can'. He recognised the greatness of God. He asked God to hear his prayer. He told God the problem and then said, 'Lord deal with these people and do it now'. God answered Hezekiah and honoured his faith. Have there been circumstances like this in your life, perhaps even today? Is there something facing you for which you do not have the answer? Take it to the Lord in faith and prayer. Spread the whole matter out before him. Ask him to deal with it. Don't listen to the voice of Satan. He will say 'It's no use-you may as well give it all up. God doesn't listen to you. He won't answer.' Satan is so very clever in putting thoughts like these in our minds. But the Christian must, as Hezekiah did, put the whole creation in God's hands and watch him answer. Why not do that right now? |
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