《今日靈修默想》:「我們所事奉的神…必救我們脫離你的手。既或不然…我們決不事奉你的神。』(但3:17-18)
默想一:你確信你所事奉的神嗎?平時我們可能會說基督是我生命的主,也會說基督是我生活的主,但患難、逼迫臨到時,你仍然能深信耶穌基督是你的一切嗎?你會照樣敬拜這位拯救你、為你死、為你復活的主嗎?但以理的三位同伴,在危機中抱著死的決心,堅持不向金像跪拜。即使上帝沒有拯救他們,他們對上帝的信心仍堅定不移。他們果然在烈火中見證神的同在。
默想二:基督教所講的信心是什麼?不是自信,也不是出於人意,而是神所賜的。我們的信心是基於對神的認識,對祂的應許有深刻的確據和把握。儘管環境對我們不利,我們的神會信守祂的承諾,即或不然,即使祂不依照我們的時間、方式、期待帶領我們,我們相信祂有比我們更美的旨意。就像亞伯拉罕,即便神不照他期待的方式,亞伯拉罕仍然徹底地信賴神。
禱告:天父上帝感謝袮,袮不因為我的信心不足而嫌棄我,袮用無限的忍耐扶持我,袮多麼願意看到我渴慕信心成長。求袮賜給我『既或不然』的信心,是不斷成長的信心,是經得起考驗的信心。求袮幫助我,我願每日過『憑著信心,不是憑著眼見』(林後5:7)的生活。禱告是奉主耶穌的名,阿們!
“Today’s spiritual meditation”: 『The God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not … that we will not serve your gods. 』 (Daniel 3:17-18)
Meditation one: Are you surely believe the God you serve? Usually we may say that Christ is the Lord of my life, and we may say that Christ is our daily life’s Lord. But when tribulations and persecutions come, can you still believe that Jesus Christ is all things to you? Will you still worship the Lord who saved you, died for you, and rose again for you? Daniel’s three friends, who determined to die under that situation, insisted not to worship the image of gold. Even if God did not save them, their faith in God remained firm. Indeed, they witnessed the presence of God in the blazing fire.
Meditation two: What is Christianity’s faith? Not self-confidence or human will, but God-given. Our faith is based on the knowledge of God, the deep reliance and assurance of His promises. Our God will keep His promises despite circumstances against us, even if He does not lead us in our time, manner, and expectation, we believe that He has a better purpose than ours. Like Abraham, even though God did not go the way he expected, Abraham still trusted in God wholly.
Prayer: God Heavenly Father thank You, You do not despise me because of my lack of faith, You sustain me with infinite patience, How willing You are to see me eager for the growth of faith. Give me the faith of “even does not,” a faith that grows, a faith that stands the test of time. Help me, Lord, so I can live a daily life “by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). I prayer is in the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen!