“在那里必没有狮子，猛兽也不登这路；在那里都遇不见，只有赎民在那里行走。” – 赛 35:9
徒步旅行者经常互相问：“你见过熊吗？”
一天早上，当我在阿巴拉契亚山道行走时，一只熊突然从我面前穿过，爬下了山。当它在一棵树下停住，看着我走过时，我在想：如果它追我，我该怎么办？
令人欣慰的是，在以赛亚书35章所描述的通往圣洁之路上，没有危险或饥饿的野兽威胁神的子民。
以赛亚书多处警告说，如果神的子民不回转按神所指示的方式生活，他们就会遭受毁灭。但这一章对于所有忠心的人来说，充满了喜乐和信心的激励，因为他们知道神的道路是最美善的。他们是回转向神的赎民。沙漠里开花姹紫嫣红。充满挣扎和恐惧的人们重获和平与希望。他们喜乐，跳跃如鹿。恶人不会有机会埋伏在圣洁的路上。这条路是专为神的子民预备的。
当我们回顾这样的段落时，我们会发现其中也谈及我们在动荡、未知的时代可能会面临的危险。最后，这段经文呼召我们在行走人生历程时要忠心为主而活，盼望等候神的平安与圣洁国度的完全彰显。
祷告
主啊，求你用盼望与平安充满我们，使我们等候你的国完全来到。阿们。
以赛亚书 35章
1旷野和干旱之地必然欢喜，沙漠也必快乐，又像玫瑰开花。
2必开花繁盛，乐上加乐，而且欢呼。黎巴嫩的荣耀，并迦密与沙仑的华美，必赐给它。人必看见耶和华的荣耀，我们神的华美。
3你们要使软弱的手坚壮，无力的膝稳固，
4对胆怯的人说：“你们要刚强，不要惧怕！看哪，你们的神必来报仇，必来施行极大的报应，他必来拯救你们。”
5那时瞎子的眼必睁开，聋子的耳必开通。
6那时瘸子必跳跃像鹿，哑巴的舌头必能歌唱。在旷野必有水发出，在沙漠必有河涌流。
7发光的沙要变为水池，干渴之地要变为泉源。在野狗躺卧之处，必有青草、芦苇和蒲草。
8在那里必有一条大道，称为“圣路”。污秽人不得经过，必专为赎民行走，行路的人虽愚昧也不致失迷。
9在那里必没有狮子，猛兽也不登这路，在那里都遇不见，只有赎民在那里行走。
10并且耶和华救赎的民必归回，歌唱来到锡安，永乐必归到他们的头上。他们必得着欢喜快乐，忧愁叹息尽都逃避。
Walking Without Fear
“No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there.” – Isaiah 35:9
Hikers frequently ask each other, “Have you seen any bears?”
One morning while I was out walking the Appalachian Trail, a bear suddenly crossed in front of me and scrambled down the hill. As it rooted under a log and watched me pass, I considered what I’d do if it chased me.
It is a comfort to know that on the Way of Holiness described in Isaiah 35, no dangerous or hungry beasts will threaten God’s people.
In many passages Isaiah warns of destruction that will come to God’s people if they don’t turn back to living God’s way. But this chapter brims with joy and confidence for all who remain faithful, seeing that God’s way is best. They are redeemed and restored by God. The desert blooms with colorful flowers. The struggling and fearful are restored with peace and hope. Like the deer, they leap for joy. The wicked will not lurk on the pathway of holiness. This path is reserved for God’s people.
When we look back at passages like this, we see that they also speak to dangers that we can face in our own turbulent, uncertain times. Ultimately this passage calls us to live faithfully as we walk and wait for the full revelation of God’s kingdom of peace and holiness.
Prayer
Lord, fill us with your hope and peace as we wait for your kingdom to fully come. Amen.
