《今日靈修默想》:迦勒對約書亞說:「我還是強壯,⋯無論是爭戰、是出入,我的力量那時如何,現在還是如何。」(書14:11)
默想一:年紀大就表示沒有用了嗎?八十五歲的迦勒越事奉越有力的秘訣是什麼?在於他緊緊抓住神的話並專心跟從神。專心跟隨神的人的不會因老邁體衰而使信心衰退,相反地他會因靠神,神成為他的力量。我們的外體雖然損壞,內心卻一天新似一天。
默想二:老當益壯的信心是自動長成嗎?不是的,而是來自平日信心的操練。在凡事上「專心仰賴神,不可倚靠自己的聰明,在一切所行的事上都要認定祂,祂必指引你的路」(箴3:5)。基督徒的行事為人,是憑著信心,不是憑眼見(林後5:7)。
禱告:親愛的主,感謝祢把信心成長的喜樂和秘訣指示了我。我知道人生路本來就崎嶇難行,十字架的窄路更難行。但求祢把迦勒的心志賜給我,我願忠心跟隨祢到底,如同祢愛我愛到底。我願意學習操練「不是依靠勢力,不是倚靠才能,乃是倚靠神的靈,方能成事。」(亞4:6)。奉主耶穌寶貴的名禱告。阿們!
《Today’s spiritual meditation》: Caleb said to Joshua: “I am still as strong today . . . I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” (Jos 14:11)
Meditation one: Does being older mean it’s unusable? What’s the secret of the 85-year-old Caleb who served even more energetically? It is that he seized God’s word and followed God with all his heart. A person who is devoted to follow God will not weaken his faith due to old age and physical decline. On the contrary, he will rely on God thus God will become his strength. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Meditation two: Does old yet strong faith grow naturally? No, it comes from the daily practice of faith. In everything, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Christians act by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for revealing me the joy and secrets of a growing faith. I know that the journey of life is always rugged and tough, and the narrow path of the cross is even more difficult. But please give me Caleb’s mind, and I will follow You faithfully even onto the end, as You love me onto the end. I am willing to learn and practice “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Zec 4:6). I pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus. Amen!