23 Jan 2016, Isaiah 60 以赛亚书 60, Future Glory for Believers 予信徒未来的荣耀

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 60

Theme                  : Future Glory for Believers

 

Millennium Kingdom (1-18).

Chapter 59 focuses on taking the consequences of sin seriously, this chapter focuses on taking the future blessing of God seriously. In the future, there will be darkness and thick darkness, aka trouble for Israel (Jer. 30:7), but God will make it glorious after its trouble. That’s when Jesus comes back to rescue them. The whole world will flock to Israel to honour Jesus and the Jews. Wealth and homage will be given to Jesus and the Jews (v. 14). Foreigners shall contribute material wealth to rebuild a new glorious Israel (v. 10). All this glory will be given to the Jews on account of the Messiah. Believers of all generations, including Abraham and all Christians, will also receive such homage and glory with the Jews, as they will rule the world with Jesus. These are all repeated themes in the Bible, especially the OT prophets.

New Heaven and Earth Kingdom (19-22).

This section is about the second phase of the Messianic Kingdom. Just as the OT often describes Jesus’ two comings in one context with no explicit distinction, so here God describes the two stages of the Messianic Kingdom in one context without distinction. The NT distinguishes the two stages of the Messianic Kingdom in Revelation 20-22. In Revelation 21:23 and 22:5, it clearly states there will literally be no more sun because God Himself will be the light of the world. For OT believers, such distinction is not necessary for their edification. They just needed to know they will be in the eternal Messianic Kingdom if they submit to the Lordship of God. For Christians, we must know that what we think of as heaven will intersect world history. The OT believers knew that and that gave them confidence and courage to obey God. No matter how wicked people mock us, God will vindicate us and we will rule over them in righteousness.

 

Praying the Scripture

There are many things that God has not revealed to us. One reason is because they are not necessary for our edification. The NT states everything that is necessary for a life of godliness has been revealed to us (2 Pet. 1:3). We have all the resources we need to live joyful and obedient lives for God. We just need to use the resources that He has given to us, including the gift of a local church that is often neglected by so many Christians (Eph. 4-6). It is only in the context of a local church that the Great Commission can be fulfilled (observing everything Christ has commanded). It is also where you can fully realize your Christ-like potential. Through church life, including all its highs and lows, you can please God by developing your Christ-like character in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness (Col. 3:12-13). Christ-likeness cannot be developed fully apart from a local church. Pray that you will love the church and be committed to a local church so that you can prepare yourself for the glorious Messianic Kingdom by fully developing your Christ-like character.

经文：以赛亚书60

主题：予信徒未来的荣耀

 

千禧国度（1-18）。

第59章的焦点是要人认真看待罪的后果，而这篇经文着重于认真对待神未来的祝福。有朝一日，黑暗及幽暗将临——这就是以色列遭难的时候（耶30:7）。然而，神要在遭难后使以色列得荣耀。这即是耶稣回来拯救他们的时候。全世界要蜂拥以色列向耶稣与犹太人表示敬意。富贵和尊荣都将归于耶稣和犹太人（14节）。外邦人将奉献财宝重建荣耀的新以色列（10节）。这一切的荣耀都要因弥赛亚的缘故归于犹太人。历世历代的信徒，包括亚伯拉罕及所有基督徒，也将与犹太人一同领受这些尊贵和荣耀，如同他们将与耶稣统治世界一样。这些都是圣经持续重复的主题，尤其在旧约先知书里。

新天与新地的国度（19-22）。

这段经文论述的是弥赛亚国度的第二阶段。犹如旧约常常在一段经文里叙述耶稣两次的到来，没有加以区别，神在这里也用一段经文叙述弥赛亚国度中的两个阶段，没有明显差异。新约在启示录20-22明确分辨弥赛亚国度的两个阶段。在启示录21:23与22:5中，圣经清楚说明那里不再有太阳，因为神自己就是世界的光。对旧约信徒而言，这种区别对他们的造就不大；他们只需知道只要自己顺服神的权柄，他们日后将在弥赛亚国度里。对基督徒而言，我们必须晓得我们对天堂的看法将与世界史交叉。旧约信徒晓得这一点，而这给予他们顺服神的信心和勇气。无论恶人如何嗤笑我们，神最后会替我们申冤，而我们将凭公义管理他们。

用经文祷告

神没向我们启示的事还很多。其中一个原因就是它对我们的造就不大。新约经文表明神已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们了（彼后1:3）。我们有为神活出喜乐与顺服生命的一切资源了。我们只需使用神所赐予我们的资源，包括许多基督徒所忽略的恩赐——地方教会（弗4-6）。唯有在地方教会里，我们才能施行大使命（教训信徒遵守基督所吩咐的一切）。那也是你能实现拥有基督品性的潜能。藉着教会所遇的所有高潮和低谷，你能培养怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔和忍耐的心（西3:12-13），从而有基督的性情，讨神喜悦。在地方教会之外，信徒是无法完全培养出基督的性情的。祷告你会爱教会，并会委身于一个地方教会，叫你能藉着培养基督的品性预备自己进入弥赛亚的国度。

22 Jan 2016, Isaiah 59 以赛亚书 59, Redeemer from Zion 从锡安来到的救赎者

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 59

Theme                  : Redeemer from Zion

 

Sin Leads to Desolation (1-15)

In beautiful poetic fashion, God describes the folly and desolation of sin in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole. We can see the damage sin can do in society when those who wish to depart from evil will make themselves as prey. It is a sad state when the social structure of a society forces people to commit evil, instead of righteousness. This kind of society is still true in many parts of the world. Only the light of the gospel can transform such evil culture.

Redemption from Zion (16-21).

God sees no man on earth who can redeem Israel from its fallenness, and by extension, the whole world (v.16). Men at his best is still a fallen man. Only the God-man Jesus can redeem this fallen world. Only He can pay the penalty of our sins and only He can change our hearts. He will come to Zion (v. 20) in righteousness to judge the wicked sinners and to redeem the contrite sinners.

 

Praying the Scripture

The Bible, especially in OT, constantly reminds us to take seriously God’s warning against sin and equally to take seriously God’s promises of blessing under His Lordship. It is God’s way of convincing sinners the folly of sin and at the same time the glory of salvation. Sinners need to see both the folly of sin, which they love because it is glorious to them, and at the same time they need to see the glory of God as a better alternative to the glory of sin. Pray that when you share the gospel to non-Christians, and even when you remind believers and yourself of the gospel, always help them, and yourself, to see the folly of sin and its false glory, and at same time see a better greatness in God. When we evangelize, we should share both the consequence of sin and the glory of salvation.

经文：以赛亚书59

主题：从锡安来到的救赎者

 

罪必致荒凉（1-15）。

神以一首优美的诗形容个人生命中以及整个社会之罪的愚昧与荒凉。我们能看到罪孽在社会中所致的损害，即想离开罪恶的人多会成为行恶的受害者。当社会的结构强迫人行恶而非鼓励行善，这是可悲的。这种社会如今仍普遍存在。只有福音的光照才能改变这种邪恶的文化。

从锡安的拯救（16-21）。

神在世间见无人能拯救以色列及全世界脱离的堕落状态（16节）。即便处在最佳状态的人还是堕落的。唯有神人耶稣才能拯救这个堕落的世界。唯有耶稣才能偿还我们的罪债，也只有祂能更新我们的心意。祂会持公义来到锡安（20节）审判作孽的罪人，并拯救痛悔的罪人。
 

用经文祷告

圣经，尤其旧约，持续提醒我们要认真对待神对罪的警告，也时也要认真对待神向祂子民赐福的应许。这是神让罪人同时看见罪之愚昧及救恩之荣耀的方式。罪人需要看见罪的愚昧，因为这时罪对他们而言是荣耀的，是他们所喜悦的，所以他们同时也需要看到神的荣耀，视它比罪的荣耀更大。祷告当我们与非信徒传福音时，甚至是对其他信徒或自己重述福音时，能看见罪的愚昧及它虚假的荣耀，并同时看到神更伟大。当我们传福音时，我们必须同时分享罪的后果与救恩的荣耀。


21 Jan 2016, Isaiah 58 以赛亚书 58, Pure and Tainted Religious Actions 纯正与玷污的宗教行为

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 58

Theme                  : Pure and Tainted Religious Actions

 

Tainted Religious Action (1-5)

The sinful, religious Jews thought God is pleased just by their outward religious actions. They thought they can just fast outwardly in order to bribe God, while inwardly they are still full of hatred, lust and jealousy. God hates and rejects such hypocritical actions.

Pure Religious Action (6-14).

Fasting is supposed to be an outward religious action that seeks to complement or support inner religious conviction of humility before God that translates into love towards God and people (v. 14). Love for God translates into love for others through concrete action, especially through helping the helpless and oppressed. Religious actions, such as fasting, are supposed to be motivated first and foremost by a delight in the righteous and gracious character of God. It is prompted by a desire to seek restoration with God. It is not driven by a desire to manipulate God. We manipulate God when we try to get God to do something for us, while we do not care about being under His Lordship.

 

Praying the Scripture

Tainted religious actions plague fallen, sinful human nature. Even after we have put our faith in Jesus and put ourselves under His Lordship, our remaining sinful nature continues to tempt us to perform religious activities in order to bribe God. We ought to do religious actions because we are prompted by our delight in God’s glorious salvation and character. Jesus warned His disciples of tainted almsgiving, praying, and fasting in Matthew 6:1-18. Pray that God will guard your heart from tainted religious actions. Pray God will open your heart to delight Him every day so that your religious actions are motivated by your love for Him and the desire to imitate His glorious character (Eph. 5:1; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). Pray that you are complete, satisfied, and full under the loving Lordship of God (Ps. 73:25; Col. 2:10).

经文：以赛亚书58

主题：纯正与玷污的宗教行为

 

纯正的宗教行为（1-5）。

罪恶又笃信宗教的犹太人以为神会悦纳他们外在所行的宗教行为。他们以为只要禁食就能贿赂神，而内心仍充满仇恨、私欲和妒忌。神痛恨并拒绝这些假冒为善的行为。

纯正的宗教行为（6-14）。

禁食本是反映一人内心在神面前谦卑的外在宗教行为，其效应是爱神与爱人（14节）。爱神的人即会借着爱他人的具体行动展现出来，尤其帮助无助与受欺压的。像禁食的宗教行为当首先是因喜悦于神公义与恩慈的性情被激发而行。这样的心渴望与神和好，而不是想利用神。当我们尝试以某些行为叫神为我们做事时，我们就是在利用神了，不顾忌祂是我们的主。

用经文祷告

被玷污的宗教行为环绕着堕落、罪恶的人性。即便我们信靠了耶稣，顺服在祂的权柄下，我们剩余的罪性仍继续引诱我们行外在的宗教活动贿赂神。我们当行宗教仪式，可动机是因喜悦于神荣耀的救恩和性情而行。耶稣在马太福音6:1-18便告诫了门徒有关玷污的奉献、祷告和禁食。祷告神会敞开你的心，每日喜悦于祂，叫你的宗教行为是因为爱神，并渴望效法祂荣耀的性情（弗5:1；罗8:29；林后3:18）。祷告你在慈爱之主的权柄下是满足、完全的。


20 Jan 2016, Isaiah 57 以赛亚书 57, Grace to the Contrite 向痛悔之人施恩

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 57

Theme                  : Grace to the Contrite

 

Description of the Wicked (1-13).

The ungodly are like children who are foolish and stubborn. They foolishly misjudge God’s deeds. God takes the righteous away from the world so that they can rest and not experience the ugliness of war and exile, but the foolish does not understand this even in light of God’s revelation. The wicked love their idols and sins, even to the point of sacrificing their children and participating in ritual sex as part of their idol worship. God patiently waits for them to repent but they misjudged God’s patience and thought God will never judge them. The wicked are weary from their sins but they are able to find new strength to continue to sin. At the end, God will reveal their shame and guilt. He will punish them.

Comfort for the Contrite (14-21).

In contrast to God’s judgment on the wicked sinners, God comforts the contrite sinners. Even though God is in the highest, He gives grace to the lowly, the humble, those who are broken by their sins and begs God to forgive them as hopeless sinners who are always in need of God’s grace and forgiveness (Matt. 5:2-3).


Praying the Scripture

It is important to understand that not everyone sins as badly as these Jews. However, apart from a life under the Lordship of God, everyone’s trajectory in life is toward the lifestyle of these Jews. Their trajectory in life is hell. It is not those who sin badly that go to hell, everyone who breaks any of God’s laws deserve to be punish by a righteous God. The severity of one’s punishment in hell will be determined by how bad they have sinned (Matt. 11:24). It is indeed good news, that God comforts the contrite sinners by revealing to us the only way of salvation is through Jesus. God abolishes our fears through Jesus (Luke 2:10) since we are hopeless sinners. How wonderful that God in the highest would love lowly people who humble themselves to beg for salvation from God. God will heal whoever humbles himself before Him. Pray that you will cultivate humility daily because God is humble and we should be like God.

经文：以赛亚书57

主题：向痛悔之人施恩

 

恶人的描述（1-13）。

不敬虔的人就像又傻又固执的孩子。他们愚昧地误解了神的作为。神从世界收去义人的原因是叫他们能安歇，无需经历战争和流放的痛苦，但愚昧人就是得到了神的启示仍不明白这一点。恶人喜爱他们的偶像和罪行，以致甘愿为拜偶像牺牲自己的孩子，还参加仪式上的性行为。神耐心地等着他们悔改，但他们曲解神的耐心，以为神永远不会审判他们。他们会因自己的罪感到疲乏，但仍能找到复兴之力继续犯罪。最后，神会揭示他们的羞耻与愧疚。神要惩罚他们。

痛悔之人的安慰（14-21）。

神要审判邪恶的罪人，但要安慰痛悔的罪人。虽然神是至高的神，但祂向卑微、虚心的人施恩，即因自己的罪哀恸，并求神原谅他们这等无助并常常需要神施恩与赦免的罪人（太5:2-3）。

用经文祷告

我们必须明白不是每一个人都像犹太人那样严重犯罪。可是，若不认神是主，不按神的旨意行事，每个人的生命趋向就是犹太人的生活方式——他们今生都是向地狱走去。不是犯下重罪的人才会下地狱；凡犯了神任何一条诫命都应当受到公义之神的审判。一人在地狱里要受到多重的惩罚将取决于他犯下多重的罪（太11:24）。因此，神安慰痛悔的罪人，向我们启示得救的唯一道路是藉着耶稣——这确实是好消息。神藉着耶稣除去我们是无助罪人的恐惧（路2:10）。神是至高者，但愿意爱虚己并向神求拯救的谦卑人，这何等美妙啊。神会医治凡在祂面前谦卑自己的人。祷告你会每日培养谦卑的心，因为神是谦卑的，而我们当效法神。

19 Jan 2016, Isaiah 56 以赛亚书 56, Grace to the Disadvantaged 向被社会排除之人施恩

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 56

Theme                  : Grace to the Disadvantaged

God encourages those who are disadvantaged and outsiders, such as foreign converts and castrated people, to continue to live under His Lordship as demonstrated by observing the Sabbath. The Sabbath is only for the Jews and foreign converts under the OT dispensation/law, not for Christians (Col. 2:16-17), but in the Messianic Kingdom, Sabbath will be reinstituted (Eze. 44:24). Even though outsiders, like foreigners and eunuchs, were not supposed to be part of God’s people (Deut. 23), God will give them grace that is above their thinking (Rahab and Ruth are also foreshadows of God’s future grace in the Messianic Kingdom). For their love for God, Eunuchs will inherit a better name/identity as children of God in the Messianic kingdom, which is better than sons and daughters. They will be able to enter Jesus’ temple and fellowship with Jesus in the Messianic Kingdom.

 

Praying the Scripture

God’s grace is great and the pleasure of a relationship with Him is far better than any relationship on earth, including our relationship with our children. Children are gifts from God to serve as a hint of His goodness, just as marriage is a taste of His goodness. The pleasures of these gifts point us to the sweetness of the Giver and greater pleasures from a relationship with God. If we lack any of these gifts from God, be it marriage or children, we can still experience and taste the goodness of the Giver in other ways, the chief way being our imitation of the character of Christ as we obey His commandments in the context of relationships in a local church (Eph. 5:1-2). If you are lacking anything like the eunuchs, pray that you will taste the goodness of God by imitating God’s character by obeying Him in the context of relationships in a local church (Eph. 4-6).

经文：以赛亚书56

主题：向被社会排除之人施恩

 

神鼓励一向受到社会排挤或隔离的人，如外邦信徒与阉割之人，要继续尊祂为主，遵行祂的话，如守安息日。安息日本是为旧约时代的犹太人与外邦信徒设立的，基督徒无需遵守（西2:16-17），但在弥赛亚国度里，万人将再次守安息日（结44:24）。虽然被隔离的人，如外邦人和太监，原与神的子民无分（申23），但神会赐予超乎他们所能想象的恩典（喇合与路得亦是神将来在弥赛亚国度里施恩的预示）。凭着他们对神的爱，太监将承受更好的名分，作神弥赛亚国度中之子；这比有儿女来得好。在弥赛亚国度里，他们得以进入耶稣的殿中，与耶稣相交。

 

用经文祷告

神的恩典甚大，而与祂相交的甜美胜过世上人与人之间的任何关系，包括我们与自己儿女的关系。儿女为神所赐，隐示着祂的良善，犹如婚姻能让我们尝到神的良善一样。这些恩赐的甜蜜即指向施恩者的美，以及与神相交能获得的更大福分。若缺少这两者，我们仍能以其他方式经体验并尝到施恩者的良善，而首要的是遵行祂的话，在地方教会与弟兄姐妹建立关系时效法基督的性情（弗5:1-2）。你若像太监一样缺少什么，祷告你能藉着遵行神的话，在地方教会与弟兄姐妹建立关系时效法基督的性情（弗4-6），从而尝到神的甜蜜。


18 Jan 2016, Isaiah 55 以赛亚书 55, Priceless Salvation is Free 无价救恩不收费

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 55

Theme                  : Priceless Salvation is Free

 

God urges foolish sinners to “buy wine and milk without money and without price,” meaning to receive salvation without any cost. The cost of salvation for God is priceless: the suffering and death of His son (Is. 53), but the cost of salvation for sinners is free. This shows God’s amazing grace. The most valuable thing in the world is free, yet many foolishly refuse it. They are blinded by their sins and are contended with playing with mudpies in a slum instead of a vacation on a beach (cf. Luke 14:15-24). Salvation is only possible through Jesus, who is referred as David because He is the promised Davidic king who will rule the world and Israel (2 Sam. 7:13). God’s salvation and grace will far exceeds the expectation of the Jews for His ways are higher (Eph. 3:20). His salvation will extend to the whole world, not just to Israel. His salvation will surely be accomplished through His word in the Bible, just as rain accomplishes God’s design to sprout vegetation.

 

Praying the Scripture

Some of the most valuable things on earth are priceless, yet free, such as air. We cannot survive for a moment without air, but it is free. Salvation in Jesus is priceless, yet free. But just because it is free for us, it does not mean it is free for God because He paid the ultimate price through the suffering and death of Christ. We should not view God’s grace to be cheap, but to be valuable and treasure it (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Pray that God will open the hearts of people whom you share the gospel with. Pray that they will see the glorious treasure of Christ that is free and not foolishly reject Him for lame excuses such as too busy making money (Luke 14:16-24).

经文：以赛亚书55

主题：无价救恩不收费

 

神劝促愚昧的罪人“不用银钱，不用价值，也来买酒和奶”，意思是不用付费领取救恩。救恩的代价对神而言是昂贵的，即祂儿子的苦难与死亡（赛53）；但对罪人而言，救恩是免费的。这彰显了神的奇异恩典。世上最宝贵的事物是免费的，但仍有很多人愚昧地拒绝了。他们被自己的罪蒙蔽双眼，满足于贫民窟里玩泥沙，尝不着到沙滩度假的滋味（参路14:15-24）。救恩唯独藉着耶稣达成（文中的“大卫”），因为祂是神应许要统治以色列及全地的大卫王（撒下7:13）。神的拯救与恩典将远超过犹太人所想象的，因为祂的道路更高（弗3:20）。祂的救恩将扩展至全世界，不只停留在以色列。祂的救恩必然藉着祂在圣经中的话成就，如同雨水按神的意思使地生长植物。


用经文祷告

世上其中最宝贵的事物是无价却又是免费的，如空气。没有了空气，我们一刻都不能存活，但空气是免费的。耶稣的救恩是无价，却也是免费的。但就因为这对我们而言是免费的，不代表它对神而言亦是如此，因为祂藉着基督的苦难和死亡附上了救恩最大的代价。我们不当视神的恩典低廉的物品，而是视它为宝藏一样爱惜（彼前1:18-19）。祷告神会敞开你所传福音之人的心。祷告他们会看见基督免费的荣耀珍宝，而不是为无聊的借口，如忙着赚钱，愚昧地拒绝祂（路14:16-24）。

16 Jan 2016, Isaiah 54 以赛亚书 54, Eternal Heritage 永恒基业

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 54

Theme                  : Eternal Heritage

God predicts He will divorce Israel in 50:1 because of her sins, but full restoration will occur with Israel in the end times. This prediction agrees with Hosea 2-3. Israel will be desolated in the end times, as it was desolated during the Babylonian exile. But her barrenness and widowhood will end in the end times because God is faithful to His promises to restore Israel. His promise is even more lasting than solid mountains and hills, which will be moved in the end times, but God’s faithfulness will never be moved. He will set Jerusalem firmly with great stones and no enemies will ever destroy Jerusalem again for all eternity. The children of Israel will all be taught by the Lord and worship Him. Such wonderful inheritance will be the heritage of believers, both Christians and Jews.

 

Praying the Scripture

God’s faithfulness is amazing and beautiful. It is demonstrated to Israel and to the church (Eph. 5:25-26). He is faithful to His people despite their flaws and despite paying a price to be faithful. God calls us to demonstrate the same faithfulness in our marriages and other relationships. Ian and Larissa were dating with the goal of being married. While dating, Ian was involved in a car accident that left him handicapped and barely able to talk. Because of Larissa’s love and faithfulness, she married Ian even though he was physically and mentally flawed. There is a big price to pay for being faithful but Larissa was in awe of her Lord’s character and followed Him. This true story is beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness to believers. Pray that you are inspired by God’s faithfulness and follow in His footsteps.

经文：以赛亚书54

主题：永恒基业

 

神在50:1预言祂将因以色列的罪休了她，但必要在末日使以色列全面复兴。这个预言与何西阿书2-3是一致的。以色列将在末日成为荒场，如同被巴比伦流放时荒凉一样。然而，她的不孕和守寡之日将在末日结束，因为神是信实的，必履行要使以色列复兴的承诺。祂的应许比坚固的大山小山更持久，因为诸山在末日会挪移，但神的信实永不动摇。祂要以宝石立定耶路撒冷，叫仇敌永远都无法再消灭她。主将亲自教导以色列的儿女，而他们将崇拜主。这等美好的基业将是所有信徒的基业，而这包括基督徒和犹太人。

 

用经文祷告

神的信实非常美丽与奇妙。祂的信实也向以色列与教会彰显了（弗5:25-26）。虽然神的子民不完美，祂仍忠实对待他们，还为此付上代价。神召我们要在我们的婚姻及其他关系中展现这等信实。Ian弟兄和Larissa姐妹交往时是为日后的婚姻铺路。那段期间，Ian发生了一场交通意外，叫他终身残疾，难以说话。凭着Larissa的爱与忠心，即便Ian有身体及智力上的残缺，她仍嫁给Ian。Larissa因忠心附上了很大的代价，但她敬畏神的性情，所以跟从祂。这个真实的故事就是神对众信徒之信实的美丽写照。祷告你会因神的信实有所启发，并跟从祂的脚踪行。

15 Jan 2016, Isaiah 52:13-53:12 以赛亚书 52:13-53:12, Comfort through Substitutionary Death 藉着代死之工的安慰

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Theme                  : Comfort through Substitutionary Death

 

This passage constitutes one of the most marvelous and detail prophecies about the work of Christ as substitutionary sacrifice to pay for the penalty of our sins. His death on the cross was so excruciating that he was marred beyond human semblance (v. 52:14). It details his amazing love for sinners by suffering and dying for them. His suffering begins with his lowly incarnation and upbringing, then it continues during his adulthood with Israel’s rejection of him, which included his own family members. His suffering culminated in the end with the torturous death on the cross. Jesus paid an unimaginable price to save sinners. It is unfair for Him to pay such high price. It is not necessary for Him to rescue sinners, but His humility and love caused Him to have compassion and save sinners. We should never take His great salvation for granted, but always have the highest thanksgiving and joy for our great salvation.

 

Praying the Scripture

Help us, O Lord, to ponder anew the greatness of your salvation through Jesus. We are undeserving, hopeless sinners before your righteous throne. Words cannot express our gratitude. Help us to sing of your great mercy daily. May your Spirit help us to grow our understanding of your great love for us and may our hearts grow to love you more. May we always be in awe of the greatness of your humility, compassion, and kindness. Help us to imitate the character of our Lord Jesus in order to restore our broken image of God. Highest praise and honour to our great God!

经文：以赛亚书52:13-53:12

主题：藉着代死之工的安慰

 

这段经文是关乎基督作赎罪祭，为我们偿还罪之工价其中最美妙、最详细的预言。祂在十架上的死极为残酷，以致面目全非，不成人形（52:14）。这里勾画了基督对罪人的奇妙大爱——祂甘愿为罪人受苦牺牲。祂的忧患即从祂卑微的诞生和抚养开始，直至成人时期遭受以色列的拒绝；这还包括祂自己的家人。到了最后，祂的忧患因十字架的惨痛死亡到达极点。祂为拯救罪人附上了难以想象的代价。这实际上对耶稣是不公平的。祂无需拯救罪人，但祂的谦卑和大爱促使祂对罪人产生怜悯，施行拯救。我们绝对不能视祂伟大的救恩为理所当然，乃要常常为此献上最大的赞美，大大喜乐。


用经文祷告

主啊，求你助我们思想你藉着耶稣的莫大救恩。在你公义的宝座前，我们是不配、绝望的罪人。请帮助我们每日颂扬你浩大的怜悯。愿你的灵助我们更明白你对我们的大爱；愿我们的心每日更加爱你。愿我们常常因你极大的谦卑、怜悯和良善心存敬畏。请帮助我们效法主耶稣的样式，叫我们能恢复神在我们身上当有的形象。愿至高的赞美和尊贵归于我们伟大的神！


14 Jan 2016, Isaiah 52:1-12 以赛亚书 52:1-12, End Times Salvation of Israel 以色列末日的拯救

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 52:1-12

Theme                  : End Times Salvation of Israel

 

God issues another wake up call to spiritually dead Israel in the end times. This call is applicable to all non-believers in every generation. When His salvation comes to Israel in the end, the exiled/captured Jews will believe in God through Jesus and cast off the bondage of their slavery from their captors. The end times Jews will have been sold as slaves to their captors for no money, just as their Assyrians captors had sold them into slavery for nothing. This is another foreshadow in the OT about the end times. But in their greatest moment of despair the Messiah will come to rescue them. This news of salvation will be spread to all Jews (v. 7) by messengers in the end times. Paul applies this verse to those who spread the good news of the gospel because those who believe in the gospel will also enjoy God’s salvation and the Messianic kingdom (Rom. 10:15). The Jews will experience another exodus in the end times that is similar to the first exodus in Egypt, except it will be much better (cf. Hosea 2:14-15). This time, the Jews will not return in haste because their captors will treat them well and aid them (v. 12, cf 49:22-23). God will comfort Israel completely and eternally in the end times.

 

Praying the Scripture

This passage speaks of eternal comfort to the Jews, but it also applies to all Christians. Our ultimate comfort will be realized when Jesus returns the second time to remove unrighteousness and to restore this broken world that is full of death, violence, jealousy, hatred, irreverence, sexual perversion and evil that torment our soul. We are pilgrims, sojourners in this broken world. Our ultimate destination is not this world, but in the future world when Jesus reigns and we get to help him to reign the world in righteousness. Although we are sojourners, we not isolationists who hide our light under a basket by disengaging ourselves from the world and just wait for God to destroy this world. We are called to be salt and light to this broken world in order to save non-believers. Jesus came to seek the lost and has called us to be like Him by seeking the lost also. Pray that God’s eternal comfort will not cause you to be complacent or be an isolationist, but imitate the glorious character of Christ by being salt and light confidently and graciously.

经文：以赛亚书52:1-12

主题：以色列末日的拯救

 

神在末日又向灵里已死的以色列鼓响警钟。这个警钟亦是向每一代的非信徒发起的。当神的拯救最后临到以色列，被掳的犹太人会藉着耶稣相信神，并解开敌人在他们颈项上所加的锁链。末日的犹太人会以无价被卖作他们征服者的奴仆，如同征服以色列的亚述人将他们无价售卖为奴一样。这又是旧约对末日的另一个预示。然而，正当他们面临极度的绝望时，弥赛亚将拯救他们。救恩的佳音将由末日的使者传到所有犹太人耳中（7节）。保罗亦将这节经文运用在凡传福音之佳信的人，因为信靠福音的也会得享神的救恩及弥赛亚国度（罗10:15）。犹太人在末日将经历同首次出埃及时的大迁移，而且经历会更好（参何2:14-15）。这一次，犹太人不再急忙奔逃，因为他们的征服者会善待并帮助他们（12节；参49:22-23）。末日时，神会完全并永久地安慰以色列。


用经文祷告

这段经文虽然是对着犹太人讲述永恒安慰，但其信息也是予所有基督徒的。我们最大的安慰将在耶稣二次归来时实现；那时，祂将除去一切不义，复兴这个充满死亡、暴力、妒忌、愤恨、不敬虔、性变态、恶毒，叫我们心灵受煎熬的世界。我们是这个破碎世界里的客旅、过客。我们最终的目的地不是这个世界，而是耶稣未来统治的世界；那时候，我们将助祂凭公义管理世界。我们虽然是客旅，但也不是将灯放在斗底下的孤立者，不与世界交流，只等待神毁灭这世界。我们被召要在这破碎的世界里做盐做光，救非信徒。耶稣已来寻找失丧者，并呼召我们要像祂一样如此行。祷告神的永恒安慰不会叫你自满或与世孤立，乃促使你效法基督荣耀的品性，满怀信心地恩待他人，作世上的盐和光。


13 Jan 2016, Isaiah 51 以赛亚书 51, Comfort for the Righteous 予义人的安慰

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 51

Theme                  : Comfort for the Righteous

 

This chapter continues the emphasis of comfort in chapters 40-66. The righteous are those who trust in the lordship of Yahweh and live according to His words. The righteous are not perfect people who do not need His grace. The righteous are sinful people who rely on His salvation and seek to be under His lordship. God comforts the righteous even in the midst of trouble by reminding them of God’s past faithfulness and power to fulfill His seemingly impossible promises. In the past, He made Abraham and Sarah, two elderly people, into a great nation; therefore, God is able to turn the barren land of Israel into a garden of Eden in the future. The fear of man is a major obstacle in trusting God’s promises. This is why God repeatedly warns the righteous not to fear the criticism of man, who are mere mortals, but to fear God who made the universe. Those who have a higher regard for God’s approval than man will enjoy everlasting joy in His eternal kingdom when God delivers Israel from their spiritual stupor and their enemies’ destruction. This kingdom begins with the one thousand year of Jesus’ rule on earth and then comes the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 20-21).

 

Praying the Scripture

The Bible perceptively understands fear can also reveal what one loves, just as psychologists often ask their clients about their fears in order to understand what they treasure. To fear man’s criticism instead of obeying God also means to love man’s approval more than God. The Bible constantly warns about this spiritual danger (Matt. 6:16-18). It is one of the major causes that leads to rebelling against God and compromising our faith with non-believers. Pray to God and search your heart to see what you fear, for it shows what you love? If you fear anything more than God, then it may mean you love that thing more than God. Ask God for strengthen to repent and to change your heart.

经文：以赛亚书51

主题：予义人的安慰

 

这章经文继续强调第40-66章中的安慰。“追求公义”的指的是凡认耶和华为主并遵行祂话语的人。正直人绝非无需主施恩的完美人；他们乃是倚靠神拯救并寻求依偎在祂主权下的罪人。即便在患难中，神仍安慰着这些正直人；神提醒他们自己过去的信实，以及履行祂看似不可能之应许的大能。过去，祂叫年长的亚伯拉罕和撒拉成为大国，所以祂在未来必能使以色列的荒场成伊甸的园囿。惧怕人是信靠神应许的一大阻碍。这就是神为何一再告诫正直人不要怕人的辱骂，因为他们只不过是凡人；他们当敬畏神，因为祂是造宇宙万物的。视神赞许多过人的必在神永恒的国度里得享永久喜乐，也就是神使以色列脱离属灵醉态及仇敌毁灭的时候。这国度是由耶稣统治全地一千年开始的，然后将有新天新地（启20-21）。

 

用经文祷告

圣经透视人心，明白畏惧显明人之所爱，犹如心理学家经常问客户他们害怕什么，以便明白他们爱惜什么。怕人辱骂而不遵从神亦是爱人之赞许过于神的。圣经持续告诫我们这是灵性险境（太6:16-18）。这可是使人悖逆神，并使信徒与非信徒妥协信心的一大原因。祷告神鉴察你，知道你心里害怕什么，因为这能显明你心之所爱。你若有什么是超乎畏惧神的，这或许表示你爱那事物过于爱神。求神坚固你，叫你悔改，并更新你心意。


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