讀經： 但以理書四章19至27節 19於是稱為伯提沙撒的但以理驚訝片時，心意驚惶。王說：伯提沙撒啊，不要因夢和夢的講解驚惶。伯提沙撒回答說：我主啊，願這夢歸與恨惡你的人，講解歸與你的敵人。 20你所見的樹漸長，而且堅固，高得頂天，從地極都能看見； 21葉子華美，果子甚多，可作眾生的食物；田野的走獸住在其下；天空的飛鳥宿在枝上。 22王啊，這漸長又堅固的樹就是你。你的威勢漸長及天，你的權柄管到地極。 23王既看見一位守望的聖者從天而降，說：將這樹砍伐毀壞，樹墩卻要留在地內，用鐵圈和銅圈箍住；在田野的青草中，讓天露滴濕，使他與地上的獸一同吃草，直到經過七期。 24王啊，講解就是這樣：臨到我主我王的事是出於至高者的命。 25你必被趕出離開世人，與野地的獸同居，吃草如牛，被天露滴濕，且要經過七期。等你知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰。 26守望者既吩咐存留樹墩，等你知道諸天掌權，以後你的國必定歸你。 27王啊，求你悅納我的諫言，以施行公義斷絕罪過，以憐憫窮人除掉罪孽，或者你的平安可以延長。 |
| 沒有人喜歡傳達壞消息，但許多時候卻迫於無奈要這樣做。醫生、警察和牧師都經常遇到這種情況，就是要將真相告訴有關的人，即使明知他們聽到之後會非常傷心。那一刻，就是我們要遵從保羅的教導，「用愛心說誠實話」的時候了。 但以理顯然很關心尼布甲尼撒王。王的夢令他深受感動。他雖然在許多方面反對尼布甲尼撒王，但他顯然經常為王的靈魂祈禱。神所作的一切行動，是否正是為了回應但以理的禱告呢？ 但以理聽王說出夢境之後，便驚訝得說不出話來，只懂得呆呆地站立。王知道他內心矛盾，便對他說：「但以理，即使是壞消息，也只管說出來吧！」 但以理唯有硬著頭皮對王說：「王啊，那棵被砍下的樹，就是你本人。」接著，他便清楚向王解釋有甚麼事情即將臨到他身上。 但以理還苦口婆心地勸王相信神。請看第27節。但以理憑著一顆愛王的心，力勸王要改變他的生活方式，並認識那位至大的真神。 然而，尼布甲尼撒王依然倔強，不肯聽從，於是神唯有進一步去管教他。但在這之前，神仍然等候了一年（28、29節）。沒有人能像神這般忍耐，足足等候了一整年，即365日，8760小時，525,000分鐘。 神一向都願意耐心等候人的悔改。例如，他告訴挪亞要用洪水審判世人之後，一直等了120年才真正施行審判。而且，當挪亞進入方舟之後，神仍然多等7天，才真正從天上降雨。神至今仍是一樣。彼得後書三章9節說：「主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。」 神是否在等候你呢？祂是否吩咐你去做某件工作，但你卻遲遲未做？為甚麼不在祂催促你之前，馬上行動呢？祂愛你，所以祂願意耐心等候。 |
Bible Reading: Daniel 4:19-27 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you."
Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies! 20 "The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth. 23 "And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him'; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. 26 "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity." |
| No one likes to convey bad news, yet many times it must be done. Doctors, police and pastors have all faced that situation when the truth has to be told, even though it may seriously hurt. That is the time to practice what Paul instructed us, "Speak the truth in love." Nebuchadnezzar apparently meant a great deal to Daniel. He was deeply moved by the king's dream. Daniel might have opposed all that Nebuchadnezzar stood for but undoubtedly he often prayed for the king's soul. Was this whole action by God an answer to Daniel's prayers? As Daniel stood there, the king saw his dilemma. He said, "Tell me everything, Daniel, even if it is bad news." Reluctantly Daniel had to say, "O king, you are the one. You are the tree that is to be cut down." Then he outlined exactly what was going to happen to the king. Then Daniel turned evangelistic. Look at verse 27. Daniel spoke out of a heart of love and appealed to the king to change his lifestyle and acknowledge the true God. Nonetheless, Nebuchadnezzar still refused to listen and God had to deal further with him. Even so God waited one whole year (vv.28-29). No one is as patient as God. For one more year, which is equivalent to twelve months, 365 days, 8760 hours or 525, 600 minutes, God waited. God is like that. He waited 120 years after he told Noah the flood was coming. God still gave the people seven more days after Noah had gone into the ark before He sent the rain. He is still the same. 2 Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Is God waiting for you? Has He asked you to do something and you haven't done it? Why not do it now before He has to speak again? He loves you. He is waiting. |
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