Drawing The Well's Water 所写的文章

在困苦与未知当中，让我们谦卑坚信，信靠神的怜悯。

即便我们无法理解神对我们的旨意，我们仍要相信祂仍然掌管万有。

Despite the failings of God’s people as detailed in earlier chapters, Micah 4 opens with a victorious image of God as reigning over the nations. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Throughout the past few chapters, Judah’s human leaders, both political and spiritual, were rebuked harshly for their evil deeds. Yet in contrast, the reign of God brings about a state of peace. Rest. Protection. We see the imagery of this peace through the instruments of war changing into instruments of agriculture, and a quiet rest under the fruits of one’s labour. Even the ‘little ones’ in the nation will be cared for under God’s reign. Those whom the human rulers have abandoned, abused and taken advantage of, God will take them in and make them a strong nation. But this victorious era has yet to come for the people of Judah. Instead, they were facing a devastating tomorrow. One where the threat of the Babylonian exile lies on the horizon. However, God remains merciful and once again comforts His people that this is all part of His plan. That their true King has not abandoned them (Micah 4:9). Today, we may find ourselves growing weary, as we face the evil around us. Whether it be hatred, backbiting, idolatry, lewdness, drunkenness, etc. (Gal 5:19-21). With such growing evil, the future may seem likewise bleak. But if we let God reign in our life, we can be blessed! For example, the long draining work hours at the office doing repetitive tasks all for the hope of a promotion can become a meaningful mission to preach the gospel and shine as God’s light. Even suffering under a mean boss can become much less dreadful as we hold onto the hope that our King loves and will avenge the ‘little ones’ in His nation. Only, the question lies in whether we have let God reign in our lives.

人与生俱来的本性使我们常常拿自己与他人比较。 无论是与朋友，家人，还是与网络上的人相比，我们总是不自觉地进行比较。 有人认为，比较有其积极的一面，因为它能让我们发现自己的弱点，并激励我们改进。然而，许多时候，比较源于我们的骄傲，最终使我们感到不满，甚至对他人和对神心生怨恨。 我们可以通过 《路加福音》 18:9-14中法利赛人与税吏的比喻来学习何为良好的比较与错误的比较。在这个比喻中，我们可以观察到每个角色所作的比较。 法利赛人拿自己与税吏相比， 用自己的善行衡量税吏的不足。他确实做了许多善事！毕竟，并不是每个人都能自愿每周禁食两次。 然而，正因为如此，他变得自以为是，轻视他人（路加福音 18:11）。 另一方面，税吏拿自己与神相比。就像在强光下，连最细微的尘埃都无所遁形一样，把自己放在神的标准下，他清楚地看见了自己的罪。 因此，他谦卑下来，真诚地悔改（路加福音 18:13）。 我们不应拿自己与他人比较。因为当我们这样做时，潜在的动机往往是希望借此让自己感觉更好，抬高自己。然而，耶稣在《马太福音》23:12中警示：“凡自高的，必降为卑。” 这种比较最终会让我们被贬低。 保罗也提醒我们，这种比较是不明智的（哥林多后书 10:12）。 我们的比较应以神的标准为基准。就像把一件白色衣物放在强光下检查是否洁白无瑕一样。 这可能会让人感到不适，因为这样的比较不会带来自信或骄傲的感觉。相反，就像税吏一样，我们可能会因察觉到自己众多的罪孽，而感到不配面对神，甚至心生沮丧。 然而，这种不舒服的感觉正是我们学习谦卑的过程。而我们如何应对这个过程，将决定我们作为基督徒的成长。 我们可以选择昂首挺胸，自我夸耀，认为自己比大多数人做了更多善事； 或者，我们可以低头悔改，满怀痛悔地向神呼求，寻求祂的赦免。

Follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus.

Even the toughest trial will come to an end.