2_1人類犯罪後上帝反應的第01句話:你在那裡Where are you?神呼喚人
Where are you? 你在那裡
經文:創世紀第3章
3: 9 But the LORD God called to the man, <>
耶和華神呼喚那人,對他說:你在那裏﹖
「你在那裡」是指「上帝對人的呼喚,要讓人知道釐清自己地位、狀況,以及人自己與上帝的關係」來說。
當亞當犯罪以後,他發現自已錯了「赤身露體」,並且找「無花果樹編作裙子」,也就是「消滅、掩飾」自己的「罪行」,而且最好的方式「躲避耶和華的面」,就像我們犯罪也是一樣,我們也會不想參加聚會,不想讀經、禱告、親近上帝,我們會覺得自己是個污穢的人,也是不配得到上帝的祝,更害怕是被上帝責備,然而上帝並沒有因為我們犯罪就放棄我們,上帝不是閃電、雷聲中,而是在「天起涼風」溫柔聲中,呼喚:「你在那裡?」。
上帝的呼喚:「你在那裡?」,說明「上帝對人類契而不捨的愛」。人犯罪以後,就與上帝隔離,只能看到自己的「罪」,以及充滿痛苦的罪疚感中。「你在那裡?」說明在人犯罪以後,上帝要人自己省察自己的景況,另一方面上帝也邀請人回到上帝的裡面,而不是繼續犯罪與上帝隔離。我們要常常問自己:「我在那裡?我在作什麼?我要得什麼?」,最重要的是我們與上帝的「關係」,一旦我們與上帝的關係「斷」了,即使我們有財富,也只會讓我們落在痛苦悔恨的深淵中。
這個呼喚對我們來說,上帝希望我們每個人能恢復與上帝的好關係,因為上帝的心意是要祝福我們,而祝福的惟一條件就我們跟祂的關係,所以我們要常常保持與上帝的好關係,要常常回到上帝裡面,因為離了祂,我們便不能作什麼。
默想的問題:
1.你在那裡呢?你是在上帝裡面或是在被世界引誘犯罪中呢?
2.你認為什麼事,比較容易讓我們遠離上帝?原因是什麼?請分享。
3.你願意聽從上帝的話,回到上帝面前,與上帝建立美好關係嗎?你願意常常禱告、讀經、服事、順服遵行上帝的命令嗎?
March 30 "Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow."(Isa. 50:11.) WHAT a solemn warning to those who walks in darkness and yet who try to help themselves out into the light. They are represented as kindling a fire, and compassing themselves with sparks. What does this mean? Why, it means that when we are in darkness the temptation is to find a way without trusting in the Lord and relying upon Him. Instead of letting Him help us out, we try to help ourselves out. We seek the light of nature, and get the advice of our friends. We try the conclusions of our reason, and might almost be tempted to accept a way of deliverance which would not be of God at all. All these are fires of our own kindling; rushlights that will surely lead us onto the shoals. And God will let us walk in he light of those sparks, but the end will be sorrow. Beloved, do not try to get out of a dark place, except in God's time and in God's way. The time of trouble is meant to teach you lessons that you sorely need. Premature deliverance may frustrate God's work of grace in your life. Just commit the whole situation to Him. Be willing to abide in darkness so long as you have His presence. Remember that it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light. ─The Still small Voice. Cease meddling with God's plans and will. You touch anything of His, and you mar the work. You may move the hands of a clock to suit you, but you do not change the time; so you may hurry the unfolding of God's will, but you harm and do not help the work. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. Leave all to Him. Hands down. Thy will, not mine. ─Stephen Merritt. HIS WAY God bade me go when I would stay ('Twas cool within the wood); I did not know the reason why. I heard a boulder crashing by Across the path where I stood. He bade me stay when I would go; "Thy will be done," I said. They found one day at early dawn, Across the way I would have gone, A serpent with a mangled head. No more I ask the reason why, Although I may not see The path ahead, His way I go; For though I know not, He doth Know, safe paths for me. And He will choose ─The Sunday School Times.