5 Jan 2016, Isaiah 44 以赛亚书 44, Comfort through the Spirit 借着圣灵的安慰

Posted on Jan 4, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 44

Theme                  : Comfort through the Spirit

 

In the end times, God will comfort the nation of Israel when He pours out His Spirit upon the whole nation, resulting in salvation for the whole nation. His wrath against the nation will end in the end times when the whole nation returns to Him. The theme of the outpouring of the Spirit in the end times is constantly repeated in the OT (Joel 2:28). Israel need not fear whether God will accomplish His promise because they will see incredible fulfillment of prophecies in the near future. One such fulfillment is the ascension of Cyrus who will conquer Babylon and let the Jews return to Jerusalem. Because God can fulfill near future restoration of Israel through Cyrus, He can also fulfill end times restoration of Israel through the Messiah and His Spirit. In addition, Israel need not fear because God is not an idol made by foolish, but skillful craftsmen. It is extremely foolish for men to use wood for fuel and cooking, and then use the same wood to make gods and bow down to worship these dead idols. Such idols can do nothing about the future. But the true living God declares the future and will fulfill His declaration.

 

Praying the Scripture

It is the most comforting thought to be ruled by our righteous, sovereign and loving Creator. He knows what is best for us more than we know ourselves. He lovingly conforms us to the image of His Son, Jesus, just as we were intended from the beginning when humans were created in the image/character of God. God’s dealing with His people is perfect. He is gentle with we need gentleness. He rebukes us when we need to be rebuked. He encourages us when we need encouragement (1 Thes. 5:14). He never gives us more than what we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). Even when God rebukes His people it is with the purpose of shaping us. The Jews never worshipped idols again after their exile to Babylon. When God disciplines us, never forget He is in control and loves us and wants to shape us into the image/character of His Son, Jesus. When you are in a trial, ask God to convict you of any flaws in your character and to change you so that you will be more like Christ.

经文：以赛亚书44

主题：借着圣灵的安慰

 

到了末日，神将安慰以色列，使祂的灵浇灌在全国之上，叫万民得救。祂对以色列的愤怒将在末日终止，因为那时以色列要归祂。圣灵在末日浇灌的主题是旧约不断重复的（珥2:28）。以色列无需害怕神是否能成就祂的应许，因为他们不久后将得见这些预言的应验。其中一个便是居鲁士的崛起；他将征服巴比伦，并让犹太人回到耶路撒冷。由于神能借着居鲁士在不久后的将来使以色列复兴，祂亦能借着弥赛亚与祂的灵应验末日以色列的复兴。另外，由于神不是愚昧但手巧的木匠所造的偶像，因此以色列无需惧怕。人使用木材起火烧饭，又用同一材料造偶像，并屈膝敬拜这些死神——这是非常愚昧的事。这些偶像对未来一无是处，但那永活真神能预言未来，并应验祂所有的话。

 

用经文祷告

我们能受那位公义、有主权并慈爱之造物主的管理，真是令人安慰。祂比我们更清楚什么对我们最好。祂以慈爱塑造我们，叫我们能更像祂的儿子耶稣，就如起初人是以神的形象所造一样。神待祂子民的方式是完美的。当我们需要温柔时，祂是温柔的；当我们需要责备时，祂责备我们；当我们需要鼓励时，祂鼓励我们（帖前5:14）。祂必不叫我们承受过于所能受的（林前10:13）。即便神责备祂的子民，其目的是要塑造我们。犹太人从巴比伦流放回来后再也不敬拜他神。当神管教我们时，不要忘记祂仍掌管一切，并爱我们，要我们更有祂儿子耶稣的形象。当你受试炼时，求神让你看清你人品中的缺陷，求祂改变你，叫你能更像基督。