《今日靈修默想》:耶穌回答說:「也不是這人犯了罪,也不是他父母犯了罪,是要在他身上顯出神的作為來。」(約9:3)

默想一:這世上的苦難究竟是怎麼一回事?有太多的「為什麼?」許多人用犯罪與受苦來解釋因果關係,但耶穌不認為這些不幸總是罪所導致的結果。其實,人類自犯罪墮落後,這苦難就無法解釋清楚。只有信靠這位「世界之光」的耶穌,我們才能在黑暗的世界找到苦難的意義。

默想二:神為什麼允許苦難發生?就是為要彰顯神的榮耀。對神的兒女而言,苦難不是懲罰,而是警告;不是放任,而是管教。苦難是化妝的祝福,是要顯明神恩典。耶穌讓我們經歷苦難不僅是更認識祂,還要幫助苦難中的人。

禱告:天父上帝,感謝祢所賜的盼望。在苦難的世界裡有很多事我不明白。但我相信祢的應許「在世上你們有苦難,但你們可以放心,我已經勝了世界。」(約16:33)求祢加增我信心,讓我在苦難中見證祢的榮耀。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們!

《Today’s spiritual meditation》:  ““Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (Joh 9:3)

Meditation one: What does the suffering in this world mean? Since there are too many “whys?” therefore many people use corruption and suffering to elucidate causal relation, but Jesus does not think that those misfortunes are always the consequence of sin. In fact, since human beings were casted down because of sin, it has not been easy to explicate the reason of suffering. Only by trusting in Jesus, who is the “light of the world”, can we then find the meaning of suffering in this dark world.

Meditation two: Why does God allow suffering to occur? It is to make God’s glory known. For the children of God, suffering is not punishment, but warning; not indulgence, but discipline. Suffering is a hidden blessing, which wants to demonstrate God’s grace. Jesus let us experience suffering not only let us know Him better, but furthermore also help those who are suffering.

Prayer: God our heavenly Father, thank You for the hope You give to me. There are many things I do not understand in this suffering world. However, You have promised that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Joh 16:33). Please increase my faith. Through sufferings, allow me to witness Your glory. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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