“这些人都是存着信心死的,并没有得着所应许的,却从远处望见,且欢喜迎接 …。” – 来 11:13
在亚伯拉罕非凡的一生中,最为突出的就是他对神的信心。在起起落落的生命历程中和频繁的地域迁移中,亚伯拉罕相信神。他不单相信神存在,他更愿意冒险让神的信实掌管他的前程。尽管他的周围并没有如云彩般的见证人来支持和鼓励他(希伯来书 11:1-2),亚伯拉罕仍然坚定相信神。
亚伯拉罕一生中曾经遇过一些惊险的事,然而,他每次的敬拜和跟从神呼召的行动,都是以信心为出发点的。对他来说,信心不是一次性的表现,它乃是毕生选择所带来的轨迹。纵使亚伯拉罕的信心有时也会动摇,但它却从来没有崩溃。尽管处于极为不利的境况之中,他仍然坚定相信神的应许。神赐他信心的恩赐,亚伯拉罕便相信了神的应许。
中国的竹在种植的最初五年几乎没有生长,过了一段很长的时间,都似乎没有任何进展。到了第五年后,植株可以长高超过50尺。神在我们生命中的工作也可能会是这样的果效,它用了很长的时间来发育、然后突然明显地成长了。然而,除非我们有耐心和坚定的信心,否则我们就不能突破成长了。相信有神在带领我们,我们必然做得到。
祷告
父啊,当你按你美善的计划在我们生命中作工时,求你锻炼我们的耐心和对你不可动摇的信心。阿们。
希伯来书 11:4-16
4亚伯因着信献祭于神,比该隐所献的更美,因此便得了称义的见证,就是神指他礼物作的见证。他虽然死了,却因这信仍旧说话。
5以诺因着信被接去,不至于见死,人也找不着他,因为神已经把他接去了;只是他被接去以先,已经得了神喜悦他的明证。
6人非有信就不能得神的喜悦,因为到神面前来的人必须信有神,且信他赏赐那寻求他的人。
7挪亚因着信,既蒙神指示他未见的事,动了敬畏的心,预备了一只方舟,使他全家得救;因此就定了那世代的罪,自己也承受了那从信而来的义。
8亚伯拉罕因着信,蒙召的时候就遵命出去,往将来要得为业的地方去;出去的时候,还不知往哪里去。
9他因着信,就在所应许之地作客,好像在异地居住帐篷,与那同蒙一个应许的以撒、雅各一样。
10因为他等候那座有根基的城,就是神所经营、所建造的。
11因着信,连撒拉自己,虽然过了生育的岁数,还能怀孕,因她以为那应许她的是可信的。
12所以从一个仿佛已死的人就生出子孙,如同天上的星那样众多,海边的沙那样无数。
13这些人都是存着信心死的,并没有得着所应许的,却从远处望见,且欢喜迎接,又承认自己在世上是客旅,是寄居的。
14说这样话的人,是表明自己要找一个家乡。
15他们若想念所离开的家乡,还有可以回去的机会。
16他们却羡慕一个更美的家乡,就是在天上的。所以神被称为他们的神,并不以为耻,因为他已经给他们预备了一座城。
Keep On Believing
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. . . .” – Hebrews 11:13
In Abraham’s remarkable life, his faith in God is what stands out. Throughout the course of his ups and downs and his moves to various places, Abraham believed. He not only believed God existed, but he was willing to stake his future on God’s faithfulness. Abraham believed, even though there was no cloud of witnesses around to support him or spur him on (Hebrews 11:1-2).
Abraham had some amazing adventures along the way. But every act of worship and following God’s call was motivated out of faith. Faith was not a one-time expression for him but a life-long experience. Although Abraham’s faith wavered at times, it never collapsed. Against all odds, he kept on trusting in God’s promises. God gave him the gift of faith, and Abraham believed.
The Chinese bamboo plant barely grows during its first five years. For a long time, nothing seems to be happening. Then, during the fifth year, the plant can grow more than 50 feet. God’s work in our lives can be like that, taking a long time to develop and then bursting with visible growth. Yet this growth won’t happen unless we are patient and keep on believing. And with God’s leading, we can do that.
Prayer
Father, as you work out your good plan in our lives, help us to exercise patient, unwavering confidence in you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳