“我们原知道，我们这地上的帐棚若拆毁了，必得神所造，不是人手所造，在天上永存的房屋。” – 林后 5:1
多年来，我们全家经常在帐篷里露营，留下了许多有趣的回忆。我们还收集了一些关于在帐篷里露营与在自己家里露营截然不同的故事。暴雨和大风的经历让我们心生感恩，旅行结束后，我们可以回到我们坚固、建造良好的房子里。
今天的经文指出，与上帝在天上为我们预备的家相比，我们在地上的生活就像住在帐篷里。虽然我们可以在尘世的旅途中享受许多美好时光，但我们也会在现实的罪和软弱中挣扎。我们遭遇伤害和失望。我们屈服于诱惑，伤害我们所爱的人。我们的身体会变老，我们的能力会减弱。
当我们为这些事情挣扎时，上帝的灵提醒我们，我们是为着更超越的事情而生的。我们在上帝面前生活，希望在基督里获得新生。即使在我们最软弱的时候，我们也能满怀信心地生活，因为我们期待着上帝赐给我们一个永恒的家。
今天，求神的灵开启你的眼睛，让你看到在基督里所应许的家的盼望和信心。
祷告
天父，你造我们是为了你的荣耀，我们不得安息直到在你里面才得到安息。当我们在软弱中呻吟时，求你藉着基督，以应许之家的盼望充满我们，这家就是永远与你同在。阿们。
哥林多后书 5:1-10
1我们原知道，我们这地上的帐篷若拆毁了，必得神所造，不是人手所造、在天上永存的房屋。
2我们在这帐篷里叹息，深想得那从天上来的房屋，好像穿上衣服。
3倘若穿上，被遇见的时候就不至于赤身了。
4我们在这帐篷里叹息劳苦，并非愿意脱下这个，乃是愿意穿上那个，好叫这必死的被生命吞灭了。
5为此培植我们的就是神，他又赐给我们圣灵做凭据。
6所以，我们时常坦然无惧，并且晓得我们住在身内，便与主相离；
7因我们行事为人是凭着信心，不是凭着眼见。
8我们坦然无惧，是更愿意离开身体与主同住。
9所以，无论是住在身内、离开身外，我们立了志向，要得主的喜悦。
10因为我们众人必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或恶受报。
Solid Homes, Not Tents
“We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1
Over the years, my family has often gone camping in tents, and we have many fun memories from those trips. We have also collected some stories about how camping in tents is very different from staying in your own home. Experiences with torrential rain and high winds leave us thankful that we can return to our solid, well-built house at the end of our trip.
Our Bible reading today notes that our life on earth is like living in a tent compared with the home God has prepared for us in heaven. Though we can enjoy lots of good times on our earthly journey, we also struggle with the realities of sin and weakness. We suffer hurt and disappointment. We give in to temptation, and we hurt the people we love. Our bodies grow old, and our abilities weaken.
When we struggle with such things, God’s Spirit reminds us that we are made for something more. We live our lives before the face of God, in the hope of being made new in Christ. Even in our weakest moments we can live with confidence because we are looking forward to a permanent home provided by God.
Ask God’s Spirit today to open your eyes to the hope and confidence of the home you are promised in Christ.
Prayer
Father, you made us for your glory, and we are restless until we rest in you. When we groan in our weakness, fill us with the hope of our promised home with you, through Christ. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
