15他們喫完了早飯、耶穌對西門彼得說、約翰的兒子西門、〔約翰馬太十六章十七節稱約拿〕你愛我比這些更深麼。彼得說、主阿、是的．你知道我愛你。耶穌對他說、你餵養我的小羊。
16耶穌第二次又對他說、約翰的兒子西門、你愛我麼。彼得說、主阿、是的．你知道我愛你．耶穌說、你牧養我的羊。
17第三次對他說、約翰的兒子西門、你愛我麼。彼得因為耶穌第三次對他說、你愛我麼、就憂愁、對耶穌說、主阿、你是無所不知的、你知道我愛你。耶穌說、你餵養我的羊。
18我實實在在的告訴你、你年少的時候、自己束上帶子、隨意往來、但年老的時候、你要伸出手來、別人要把你束上、帶你到不願意去的地方。19耶穌說這話、是指著彼得要怎樣死榮耀神。說了這話、就對他說、你跟從我罷。
默想
在主耶穌被門徒出賣受審時，彼得曾經三次不認主（約18:15-27）。彼得為着這次的跌倒深深難過，覺得自己不配再談愛主，跟從主了。你也曾經有過離開主後覺得灰心難過的經歷嗎？你當時的心情如何？
主耶穌沒有放棄彼得，在祂從死裡复活後，祂再一次主動來尋找彼得。彼得三次不認主，主也三次問彼得：“你愛我嗎？”主讓彼得知道，主還是會等待得着他的愛。原來主耶穌在十字架上所成就的救贖，不單單是在你決志認罪悔改的那一刻，也在你軟弱跌倒後願意回到主面前，再次立志認祂為主的時候。這是十字架的愛，愛你愛我到底，從不改變。你也願意對主說“是的，我愛你”嗎？
彼得認識了主耶穌後，生命有了很大的改變。他回應了主對祂的愛，竭力傳揚福音，牧養教會。而你又願意怎樣回應主對你的愛呢？你願意從今天起在哪方面作更好裝備，然後可以對主說：“主呀，我預備好了，請使用我。”？
Author: admin
Lent 260 Devotional Mar. 31, 2014 John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have
told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
I rejoice today? No, cares a lot of things …..
I know the love of God, but how can the love of God do? (10)
Meditate: often in God’s love got to do with joy. (11)
Lord! I would like to respect the line of your will, and is willing to abide in
your love wrapped Dian was a joy to meet, but also to love others (17
預苦期260靈修3月31日約 15:9-17
9我愛你們，正如父愛我一樣；你們要常在我的愛裡。10你們若遵守我的命令，就常在我的愛裡，正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在他的愛裡。11「這些事我已經對你們說了，是要叫我的喜樂存在你們心裡，並叫你們的喜樂可以滿足。12你們要彼此相愛，像我愛你們一樣；這就是我的命令。13人為朋友捨命，人的愛心沒有比這個大的。14你們若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了。15以後我不再稱你們為僕人，因僕人不知道主人所作的事。我乃稱你們為朋友；因我從父所聽見的，已經都告訴你們了。16不是你們揀選了我，是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，叫你們的果子常存，使你們奉我的名，無論向父求甚麼，他就賜給你們。17我這樣吩咐你們，是要叫你們彼此相愛。」
我今天喜樂嗎？不,掛慮的事情很多…..
神愛我是知道的,但怎能在神的愛裏呢？（10 節）
默想：常在神的愛裏與喜樂有甚麼關係。（11 節）
主啊！我願尊行你的旨意，並願常在你的愛裹丶喜樂得着滿足，也能
愛別人（17 節）
Lent 260 Devotion
Introduction
What is Lent?
Lent is a period of 40 days starting with Ash Wednesday (for this year it was March 5) prior to Easter day, during this time Christians all around the world prepare our hearts through prayers, devotions, fasting, or other spiritual activities.
Why Lent?
If our loved one passes away we gather with all the family and friends to remember him through a funeral service, and every year we may go back to the cemetery to remember him because he was / is deeply loved.
Jesus is our great shepherd, our loving teacher, and our dearest friend, and he consciously chose to walk up to the cross to die for us so we can live eternally. Have we thought about what we have done to remember Jesus’ death on the cross? Have we done anything special to reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as our role as followers of Jesus around the Easter time?
That is why even though PGC may not observe strict religious ceremonies for Lent like other churches may do, we think it is important we spend Lent and remember Jesus, as well as meditate and reflect on our lives through devotion and prayers.
Fasting?
Traditionally, Lent is a time when Christians fast, or give things up. It is important to know that physically fasting does not ‘purify’ our soul and the act of giving up on things we like does not ‘’cleanse’ our sins. We are justified and redeemed by Jesus’ death and no deed on our own can replace or ‘add to’ that salvation.
When we deny ourselves of familiar comforts though, we learn something powerful about our weaknesses, our needs, and our deepest longing for God. Fasting is a physical activity that points to our spiritual longing to be rooted in Jesus alone and find our true comfort and joy in him. There are different forms of fasting, some first-timers choose to fast 1 meal per day during the Lent period. Others may choose 1 type of food (meat, for example). You may choose any form of fasting. Our willingness to give up our comfort is far more important than how we fast.
Alternatively, you may also consider giving up an activity you normally enjoy doing – watching TV, playing video games, or social media like Facebook, Whatsapp etc. Do keep in mind that fasting / giving up something alone does not draw us closer to Jesus. The principle is the same – to restrict ourselves from our material comfort, we learn about our weakness, the chain and control these activities have on our lives, and our longing for Jesus. We should instead use that time to reflecting on our weakness and our needs, and focus on building a stronger relationship with our Lord during the time of our physical needs.
Whichever way you choose, we recommend you to try to fast or give up 1 thing you enjoy in Lent 2014.
I’d like to try but …
- Q: We are half way into Lent already if it started on Ash Wednesday, why don’t I try next year instead?
- A: The main purpose of Lent is to remove things that give us physical comfort or leisure or sense of security, and through our lacking or need we learn to rely on Jesus and Jesus alone. Therefore it does not matter we start on Ash Wednesday, before Ash Wednesday, or even 5 days prior to the end of Lent. The length of time we fast or give up something is not the key here.
- Q: I have a weak stomach, fasting might be bad for my health. Can I give up something else instead?
- A: Absolutely! You may give up 1 type of food you like, you may give up eating meat or fish during this period, you may give up an activity you like as well – using internet, social networking, playing video games, playing badminton … as long as it is something you treasure.
- Q: This is perfect since my doctor has recommended me to try a low-carb diet to lose weight! I’ll give up carb for Lent!
- A: Again, the point of Lent is to give up something you treasure so you can feel your own weakness, a sense of lacking in your life. You are completely missing the point if Lent becomes a motivation to lose weight, or eat healthy.
- Q: For Lent I am giving up playing video games, and I can use the time to catch-up on a TV series I’ve wanted to watch for a long time!
- A: Ask ourselves why we’re participating in Lent to begin with … it is not a duty. Ideally we participate in Lent because we’d like to build a better relationship with Jesus. Replacing 1 leisure activity we like (video game) with another leisure activity (watching TV) is also missing the point of Lent.
- Q: I tried to fast but I failed at it for the first 2 days … should I give up and try again next year?
- A: Lent is not easy, but that’s exactly how it can create a sense of lacking in us. If you failed at it don’t give up, take each day as a new test! And share your experience with your cell members so we can all encourage one another!
- Q: What should I expect by fasting? I have been fasting but I can’t hear God’s voice?
- A: The act of fasting itself only achieves half of what we try to achieve. It is through meditating and reflecting on our weakness that we learn to rely on Jesus. Don’t set out to achieve a goal like “hearing God’s voice to me” or “seeking my calling for this year” for Lent. Instead, at times of hunger, or weakness, or lacking, seek Jesus through prayers, devotion and His words.
萬民福音堂預苦期260靈修
『引言』
什麼是『預苦期』？
預苦期（四旬齋）是蒙灰節(Ash Wednesday)後的四十日。今年的蒙灰節是三月五日。各地的基督徒在這期間預備他們的心去迎接跟著而來的受苦節和復活節。在這期間基督徒用禱告、靈修、禁食，或其他的屬靈活動來安定他們的心思意念。
為什麼要有『預苦期』？
當我們親愛的親人去世，家人和親友會安排安息禮拜，而每年到了那日可能會到墓前，愐懷他在世上和我們相處的日子。因為我們實在捨不得他的離去。
耶穌是我們的牧者，我們至愛的老師，我們最親愛的朋友。祂為我們甘心在十架上捨棄生命，使我們可以有永恆的生命。我們怎樣記念耶穌為我們的犧牲呢？為了祂的死和復活，我們這些稱為基督徒，基督的跟隨者的，在復活節或之前又有什麼特別的表示呢？
萬民堂不是一個特別嚴緊於守節期的教會。依然，在這預苦期，我們是不是應該用靈修、禱告、反思去記念為我們全然擺上的主？
禁食？
傳統上在預苦期基督徒會禁食和施與。我們須知禁食並不潔淨我們的靈魂，而施與也不可以清洗我們的罪。我們得救是藉著主耶穌基督在十架上為我們死，三天後復活，沒有任何其他的行為可以使我們得救，或『加添』我們得救。我們得救絕不可能靠我們自己。
當 我們放棄一些我們習慣的設備的方便或享受，我們更能體會我們的軟弱，而更學會倚靠神。禁食促使我們屬靈上仰望耶穌，使我們明白我們的福樂都在乎祂。禁食有 不同的形式。有些初次禁食的選擇在預苦期每天只進食一餐。另外有些人選擇只吃一種食物（例如肉類）。至於採取什麼形式純粹是個人的選擇。我們願意在這期間 放棄一些日常的舒適的心意遠比選擇用什麼形式來禁食重要。
此外，你可選擇放棄你日常樂於做的某些事，例如：看電視、玩電子遊戲、上社交網 站 例如面書（Facebook）、whatsapp等。這原則上和禁食的原意相同，都叫我們減少了物質的享受，使我們從這些日常的行為中得著釋放，叫我們更 有時間和耶穌更接近，明白到我們的軟弱，從而建立和神更親密的關係。
不論你傾向那一方式，我們提議你在2014預苦期嘗試禁食，或者放棄一樣物質的享受。
一些你可能會問的問題：
- 問：既然現在預苦期已開始了，倒不如下一年才考慮禁食這一類問題吧。
- 答：預苦期禁食的原意是叫我們放棄一些物質的享受或舒適，而使我們從中學會倚靠神。禁食從那天開始到那天結束都不重要。
- 問：我腸胃素來不好，禁食對我的健康有不良影響。我可以選擇放棄些享受嗎？
- 答：當然可以！你可以放棄一種你喜歡的食物，或者你可以放棄一樣你喜歡的活動例如上網、玩遊戲機、或者打羽毛球…總之是你慣常喜愛做的事。
- 問：那很好，反正我醫生叫我吃低澱粉質的食物，我就在預苦期放棄吃澱粉質的食物好了。
- 答：預苦期的目的是叫我們放棄一些我們看重的東西，又叫我們領略到我們的軟弱和不足。如果你用預苦期來瘦身 或作健康飲食，你的動機是完全錯了。
- 問：為了預苦期我放棄玩遊戲機，正好用這空檔去追我一直沒有時間看的電視節目。
- 答：問你自己為什麼要做預苦期的活動吧。這不是一個責任。我們參與預苦期的活動因為我們想和神有更親密的關係。用玩遊戲機的時間來追電視節目和預苦期的原意是背道而馳的。
- 問：我嘗試禁食，兩天後我失敗了…我是不是應該下一年再嘗試呢？
- 答：預苦期禁食從來不容易。這正好說明為什麼我們會感受到自己的軟弱和不足。如果你今天失敗了不須放棄，明天又是一個新的挑戰！和你細胞小組的弟兄姊妹分享你的感受和互相支持鼓勵吧！
- 問：禁食會有什麼果效呢？我曾經禁食但沒有聽到神和我說話。
- 答：單單禁食不能使我們親近神。唯有透過默想、反省我們才學曉仰賴耶穌。不要一開始就定了『我要聆聽到神的呼喚』或者是『我要明白神對我今年的呼召』等目標，而是要透過禁食使你體會到的軟弱和不足，再加上禱告、靈修、讀聖經使我們更能追從基督。
260 Devotional, Mar. 28 Psalms Ch. 89
I Will Sing of the Steadfast Love of the Lord
A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
89 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O Lord God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
with your faithfulness all around you?
9 You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
12 The north and the south, you have created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13 You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
16 who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness areexalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to theLord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Reflection
- Psalm 89 is a long psalm of 52 verses. It celebrates something basic in the nature of God and vital to our relationship with Him. Because God’s love stands firm forever, because faithfulness surrounds Him, we who walk in His presence are assured of blessing, of strength, and of a ready answer to our prayers.
- Read this passage, or better yet, read this psalm in its entirety thoughtfully. What evidence does it give that God is faithful forever? What does the fact of God’s faithfulness mean to you?
- Then join the Maranatha Kids in singing “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4wZRiI66SY
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月28日：詩篇第89章
求 神按他的信實施慈愛
以斯拉人以探的訓誨詩。
89 我要永遠歌唱耶和華的慈愛，世世代代用口傳揚你的信實。
2 我要說：“你的慈愛必永遠建立；你的信實，你必堅立在天上。
3 你曾說：‘我和我所揀選的人立了約，向我的僕人大衛起了誓，說：
4 我必永遠堅立你的後裔，也必世世代代建立你的王位。’”（細拉）
5 耶和華啊！諸天要稱頌你的奇事；在聖者的會中，你的信實也要被稱頌。
6 在天上，誰能和耶和華相比呢？在全能者的眾子中，誰能像耶和華呢？
7 在聖者的議會中， 神是令人驚懼的，比一切在他周圍的都更為可畏。
8 耶和華萬軍之 神啊！有誰像你？耶和華啊！你是大能的，你的信實在你的周圍。
9 你管轄海洋的狂濤，波浪翻騰的時候，你使它們平息。
10 你打碎了拉哈伯，好像已遭刺殺的人；你用有力的膀臂，趕散了你的仇敵。
11 天是你的，地也是你的；世界和世界充滿的，都是你建立的。
12 南北都是你創造的，他泊和黑門都因你的名歡呼。
13 你有大能的膀臂，你的手強而有力，你的右手高舉。
14 公義和公正是你寶座的基礎，慈愛和信實行在你前面。
15 曉得向你歡呼的人民是有福的，耶和華啊！他們在你的臉光中行走。
16 他們因你的名終日歡呼，因你的公義被高舉。
17 因為你是他們的榮耀和力量；因你的恩惠，我們的角得以高舉。
18 因為我們的盾牌是耶和華，我們的君王是以色列的聖者。
默想：
- 詩篇89篇共有52節，歌頌神的性情，並我們與祂的關係。神的愛存到永遠，祂的信實直到萬代，因此我們屬祂的，有確據得到神的祝福，能力，以及隨時聆聽我們的禱告祈求。
- 慢慢地讀這段經文，時間容許的話，最好讀完整篇52節。詩人怎樣指出神的信實存到永遠？神的信實對你有什麼意義？
- 然後與孩子們一同高唱“我要唱耶和華的大慈愛” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duKMEXQ3wpE
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
李勤基執事 260 靈修分享 – 詩篇89篇
「我要唱耶和華的大慈愛到永遠，我要唱，我要唱。。。用我口叫人知道，你大信實，你大信實。。。用我口叫人知道，你大信實直到永遠萬代！」 每次唱起這首歌，心中就有莫名的興奮。 從信主至今，我都以為這是一首歡樂的詩歌，特别在領受神祝福，感謝神恩典的時候，我也會不期然唱起此歌。這星期把詩篇89篇讀完一遍，才明白這詩篇作者寫這詩的境况。詩篇89篇是一首很特别的詩篇，大部份的詩篇都是先向神傾吐苦情，最後才以感恩讃美結束。但詩篇89篇却以感恩讃美開始 (1-37), 然後向神傾吐苦情 （38-51），最後再以讚美結束（52）。
如果我們只讀1-37節，就會以為作者是身處幸福太平的日子當中。其實詩人正身處逆境，甚至可能是被擄他邦。為甚麽詩人仍然可以向神發出讃美和感恩？這是因為他的信心不是建立在自己，社會甚至國家之上，而是建立在神的慈愛和信實上面。詩人回想神的創造與掌管，神對以色列人的拯救，並與大衛立約，應許大衛的後裔永遠作王。雖然詩人身陷苦難當中，大衛的王朝似乎已走向没落，但他的眼目不在自己短暫的困境，而是在神永恒的榮耀。神是信實的，祂没有違背與大衛的立約，大衛的子孫耶穌基督，道成肉身，嘗盡人間苦難，釘身十架， 最後復活升天，永遠為王。
人是自私的，多少時候我只看見自己，家人或教會弟兄姊妹的需要。禱告中常常求神賜下祝福，除去逆境，却甚少從神的角度去思想：神在這逆境中對我有甚麽提醒？要我學習甚麽？ 雖然我的一生中没有遇過甚麽重大的苦難，但亦常經歷不如意的事：身軆的衰退，工作事奉的壓力，對兒子的期望，對未來的憂慮。。。每當感覺事情不受自己控制的時候，脾氣就會變得暴躁，說話可能會傷害身邊的人。
求神幫助我學習詩人的榜樣，無論任何環境都能常存讚美感恩的心，因為我的神是慈愛信實的神， 我的一生是由祂掌管。 雖然今天很多事情我不明白，但將來回顧可能看見神奇妙的带領。即或不然，在天家與神面對面時就必清楚明白了！
260 Devotional, Mar. 27 Psalms Ch. 88
I Cry Out Day and Night Before You
A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
88 O Lord, God of my salvation;
I cry out day and night before you.
2 Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!
3 For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
5 like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
6 You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah
8 You have caused my companions to shun me;
you have made me a horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
9 my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O Lord;
I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But I, O Lord, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
16 Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
17 They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.
Reflection
- Most psalms which express despair or distress lead us from the depths to the heights. This psalm is different. It speaks of an unrelenting darkness. The psalmist found himself “in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep”. Though he called out to God “every day”, there was no answer, and the psalmist felt rejected by the God on whom he depended.
- This psalm reminds us that faith promises no quick solution to our problems, nor instant spiritual highs. There well may be days, weeks, or even years when all seems dark, and God remains silent. While faith frequently offers us inner peace in outward turmoil, some men and women with a true faith will find themselves living in unexpected, and unexplained dark.
- When that happens, we need not blame ourselves, as if the darkness were evidence of some personal spiritual lack. This psalm reminds us that for some, who honestly trust and cry out to God, the answer is withheld and the darkness remains. When this happens, and we cannot say why, then we must believe that even the darkness is a gift, intended by God to be our “closest friend”.
- Read and listen to this song “Holy Darkness” (by Dan Schutte) as your prayer to God today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6NWR08ts_w&feature=kp
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月27日：詩篇第88章
瀕臨死亡祈求 神救助
歌一首，可拉子孫的詩，就是以斯拉人希幔的訓誨詩，交給詩班長，調用“麻哈拉利暗俄”。
88 耶和華、拯救我的 神啊！我晝夜都在你面前哀求。
2 願我的禱告達到你面前，求你留心聽我的呼求。
3 因為我飽經憂患，我的性命臨近陰間。
4 我被列在下坑的人中，就像一個沒有氣力的人一樣。
5 我被棄在死人之中，好像被殺的人躺在墳墓裡；
你不再記念他們，他們也和你隔絕了。
6 你把我放在最深的坑裡，把我放在黑暗的地方和深淵裡。
7 你的烈怒重重地壓著我，你的波浪從四方八面把我淹蓋。（細拉）
8 你使我的知己都遠離我，使我成為他們所厭惡的。我被囚禁，不能外出。
9 我的眼睛因困苦而昏花；耶和華啊，我天天向你呼求，向你舉手禱告。
10 你要為死人行奇事嗎？陰魂會起來稱謝你嗎？（細拉）
11 在墳墓裡有人述說你的慈愛嗎？在滅亡之地有人述說你的信實嗎？
12 你的奇事在黑暗裡有人知道嗎？你的公義在那遺忘之地有人知道嗎？
13 耶和華啊！我卻向你呼求，我的禱告在早晨達到你面前。
14 耶和華啊！你為甚麼丟棄我？為甚麼掩面不顧我？
15 我自幼受苦，幾乎死亡；我受了你的驚嚇，以致困惑不安。
16 你的烈怒把我淹沒，你的驚嚇把我除滅。
17 這些終日像水一樣環繞我，一起把我圍困。
18 你使我摯愛的和同伴都遠離我，黑暗成了我的知己。
默想：
- 大部分描述沮喪悲痛的詩篇，都會帶領我們由幽谷進入高地。但這首詩不同，它描述一種無盡的黑暗。詩人說“你把我放在最深的坑裡，把我放在黑暗的地方和深淵裡”（6節）。雖然“我天天向你呼求，向你舉手禱告”（9節），卻絲毫聽不見神的回答，因此詩人覺得被他所依靠的神拋棄了。
- 這首詩提醒我們，我們的信心並不表示我們的困難一定會快速得解決，我們也不一定有立即的屬靈高峰。我們可能會經歷許多日子，甚至許多年的黑暗日子，而神卻保持靜默不語。很多時候當我們的外在環境遭到攪擾一片混亂時，內心卻有平靜安穩。但是有些人，神卻允許他們生活在無法預測，不能解釋的黑暗中。
- 當這樣的情況發生時，我們無需自責，好像黑暗是因我們個人屬靈的軟弱而來的。這首詩篇提醒我們，對某些人來說，他們雖然誠懇真切的信靠並尋求神，但卻得不到答案，黑暗仍然籠罩。在這樣的時候，我們必須相信，就算“黑暗”也是神所賜的恩典，為要使我們與神更加親近，更加緊密。
- 閱讀或聆聽這首詩歌“Holy Darkness”by Dan Shutte，作為你今日對神的禱告。慢慢地聽，靜靜的思想，如同神在對你說話一般。http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6NWR08ts_w&feature=kp
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 26 Psalms Ch. 87
Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.
87 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself willestablish her.
6 The Lord records as heregisters the peoples,
“This one was born there.”Selah
7 Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”
Reflection
- This psalm emphasizes the fact that Zion is not only a place, but also a people. To be born in Zion is to be one with the people of God, who gather round His revelation and rejoice in the Lord.
- The stunning emphasis of this psalm is that those who have been Israel’s historic enemies, Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, and Philistia too, will one day know the Lord. It will be said of them as well as of Israel, “This one was born in Zion”.
- What an amazing reminder of God’s grace, nestled here among psalms that celebrate forgiveness. And how we need to remember that those who seem God’s most implacable enemies remain the objects of His forgiving love.
- Pray for your unbelieving friends or relatives that they will also receive God’s forgiveness and be counted among God’s people one day.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月26日：詩篇第87章
神必堅立聖城
歌一首，可拉子孫的詩。
87 耶和華所立的根基在聖山上。
2 耶和華愛錫安的城門，勝過雅各的一切居所。
3 神的城啊！有很多榮耀的事，都是指著你說的。（細拉）
4 “在認識我的人中，我提到拉哈伯和巴比倫，
看哪！還有非利士、推羅和古實，我說：‘這一個是生在那裡的。’”
5 論到錫安，必有話說：“這一個、那一個都是生在錫安的。”
至高者必親自堅立這城。
6 耶和華登記萬民的時候，必記著：“這一個是生在那裡的。”（細拉）
7 他們跳舞歌唱的時候，要說：“我的泉源都在你裡面。”
默想：
- 這首詩歌強調錫安並非僅指一個地方，也是指一個民族。所謂生在錫安的意思就表示是屬於神的子民，他們在神的啟示（登記，6節）四周跳舞歌唱，在主裡歡喜慶祝。
- 最令人驚訝的，就是本首詩指出，那些歷來是以色列的世仇：拉哈伯（埃及），巴比倫，非利士等，都有一日要認識主。到那日，神對他們如同對以色列民一樣的說“這一個是生在那裡的”（錫安）。
- 這提醒我們，神的恩典是何等奇妙，在這些強調神赦免的詩歌中，加入這首特別的詩歌；這也是提醒我們當記得，即使那些極力抵擋神的人，仍然是神所愛，樂意赦免的人。
- 為你尚未信主的親戚朋友禱告，求神使他們也能接受神赦罪之恩，並有一日也列在神的子民行列中。
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 25 Psalms Ch. 86
Great Is Your Steadfast Love
A Prayer of David.
86 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Reflection
- David (who wrote this psalm) acknowledged to God that he needed mercy, and looked only to God for salvation and joy. Having experienced God’s love, he prayed freely to Him alone for marvelous deeds.
- David asked to know God more fully: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”(v11) He focused completely on God and responded to God’s great love with a wholehearted effort to glorify the Lord.
- Do you have an undivided heart? What divides your heart? How many “pieces” of heart do you carry inside? What can restore your internal unity?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月25日：詩篇第86章
祈求 神的拯救與保護
大衛的禱告。
86 耶和華啊！求你留心聽我、應允我，因為我是困苦貧窮的。
2 求你保護我的性命，因為我是虔誠的人；我的 神啊！求你拯救這倚靠你的僕人。
3 主啊！求你恩待我，因為我終日向你呼求。
4 主啊！求你使你的僕人心裡歡喜，因為我的心仰望你。
5 主啊！你是良善，又樂意饒恕人的，向你呼求的，你都以豐盛的慈愛待他們。
6 耶和華啊！求你側耳聽我的禱告，留心聽我的懇求。
7 在我遭難的日子，我要求告你，因為你必應允我。
8 主啊！在眾神之中，沒有能和你相比的，你的作為也是無可比擬的。
9 主啊！你所造的萬國都要來，在你面前下拜，他們必榮耀你的名。
10 因為你是偉大的，並且行奇妙的事，只有你是 神。
11 耶和華啊！求你把你的道路指教我，使我行在你的真理中，專心敬畏你的名。
12 主我的 神啊！我要滿心稱讚你，我要永遠榮耀你的名。
13 因為你向我大施慈愛，你救了我的命，免入陰間的深處。
14 神啊！驕傲的人起來攻擊我，一群強暴的人尋索我的性命，他們不把你放在眼內。
15 但是，主啊！你是有憐憫有恩典的 神，你不輕易發怒，並且有極大的慈愛和信實。
16 求你轉向我，恩待我；把你的能力賜給你的僕人，拯救你婢女的兒子。
17 求你向我顯出恩待我的記號，好使恨我的人看見了，就覺得羞愧；因為你耶和華幫助了我，安慰了我。
默想：
- 本詩的作者大衛向神承認，他需要憐憫，並單單仰望神得救贖與喜樂。在經歷了神的愛之後，他無懼地祈求神為他行奇妙的作為。
- 大衛希望更多認識神“求你把你的道路指教我，使我行在你的真理中，專心敬畏你的名”（11節）。他全心專注於神，並“要永遠榮耀你的名”。
- 你對神是否一心一意的跟從？或是有什麼事物使你分心？或是你的心被許多事情分割得四分五裂？如何才能重整你內心的合一？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 24 Psalms Ch. 85
Revive Us Again
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
85 Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
Reflection
- The psalmist began by thanking God for forgiving and restoring His sinning people. Even though Israel was free, she still needed spiritual restoration and revival. Therefore, the psalmist petitioned God to put away all of His anger against His sinning people. They needed His faithful love and His deliverance “that your people may rejoice in you”.
- How can we understand forgiveness? By seeing it as a place where God’s love, faithfulness, and righteousness unite to bring peace. Because God loves us, He forgives. Because He is faithful to His covenant promises, He forgives. Because God is righteous, He pays the price in Christ that forgiveness requires.
- When we see forgiveness as an expression of God’s character and attitude toward man, we can be sure that “the Lord will give what is good”.
- Are you disappointed that something didn’t turn out the way you hoped it would? How might this psalm help you?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月24日：詩篇第85章
祈求 神重新恩待他的子民
可拉子孫的詩，交給詩班長。
85 耶和華啊！你恩待了你的地，恢復了雅各的產業。
2 你赦免了你子民的罪孽，遮蓋了他們的一切罪惡。（細拉）
3 你收回了你的一切忿怒，使你猛烈的怒氣轉消。
4 拯救我們的 神啊！求你復興我們，求你止住你向我們所發的忿怒。
5 你要永遠向我們發怒嗎？你要延長你的怒氣到萬代嗎？
6 你不使我們再活過來，以致你的子民可以因你歡喜嗎？
7 耶和華啊！求你使我們得見你的慈愛，又把你的救恩賜給我們。
8 我要聽 神耶和華所要說的話；因為他應許賜平安給他的子民，給他的聖民；但願他們不要轉向愚妄。
9 他的救恩的確臨近敬畏他的人，使他的榮耀住在我們的地上。
10 慈愛和信實彼此相遇，公義和平安互相親吻。
11 信實從地上生出，公義從天上俯視。
12 耶和華也必賜下好處，我們的地要多出土產。
13 公義必行在他面前，為他的腳步預備道路。
默想：
- 詩人在本首詩一開始的時候，就因神赦免並重建犯罪的子民來感謝神。雖然以色列得釋放，但他們仍然需要屬靈的重建與復興。因此，詩人祈求神轉消祂對百姓犯罪的怒氣（3節），他們需要神信實的愛及拯救之恩，“以致你的子民可以因你歡喜”。
- 我們如何能夠明白赦免？就是當我們懂得神的愛，神的信實，以及祂的公義聯合起來，帶出平安時，這就是神饒恕之恩的結果。因為神愛我們，祂赦免我們；因為神是信實的，始終忠於祂的信約，祂便願意赦免我們。因為神的公義的，祂以耶穌來付上祂赦免所需要的代價。
- 當我們明白赦免原來是神對人的愛時，我們就能肯定“耶和華也必賜下好處”。
- 你是否因為一些事情沒有達到你預期的盼望而覺得失望？這篇詩歌如何能夠幫助你明白神的愛，以及“耶和華……必賜下好處”？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 21 Psalms Ch. 84
My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord
To the choirmaster: according toThe Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
84 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Reflection
- In a way, Ps 78-83 describe the journey through a desert. God’s people were weak and struggling. They were victims of enemies that had drained them and their land of every resource, and left them destitute and dying. It’s no wonder that Asaph cried out again and again, appealing to God to restore the blessings once enjoyed by his people.
- Now suddenly, with Ps 84, another psalmist reminds us that no matter how desperate our situation, any desert God’s people may find themselves in, there is an oasis. In O. T. times, God’s people directed their feet upward. Approaching Jerusalem, buoyed up by the thought that they would soon appear before God in Zion, His people went “from strength to strength”.
- Our days may be filled with troubles, and our hearts may ache, yet we can know the blessedness of those “whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage” (v5, The Voice). As pressures mount, we can be reminded that “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (v11).
- The more difficult our days, the more we need to draw strength from God, and experience the blessing that is ours now through trust.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月21日：詩篇第84章
渴慕朝見 神的必蒙福
可拉子孫的詩，交給詩班長，用“迦特”的樂器。
84 萬軍之耶和華啊！你的居所多麼可愛。
2 我的靈渴想切慕耶和華的院子，我的心身向永活的 神歡呼。
3 萬軍之耶和華，我的王我的 神啊！在你的祭壇那裡，麻雀找到了住處，燕子也為自己找到了安置幼雛的巢。
4 住在你殿中的，都是有福的，他們還要不斷讚美你。（細拉）
5 靠你有力量，心中嚮往通到聖殿大道的，這人是有福的。
6 他們經過乾旱的山谷，使這谷變為泉源之地，更有秋雨使這谷到處都是水池。
7 他們行走，力上加力，直到各人在錫安朝見 神。
8 耶和華萬軍的 神啊！求你聽我的禱告；雅各的 神啊！求你留心聽。（細拉）
9 神啊！求你垂顧我們的盾牌，求你看顧你的受膏者。
10 在你院子裡住一日，勝過在別處住千日；寧願站在我 神殿中的門檻上，也不願住在惡人的帳棚裡。
11 因為耶和華 神是太陽，是盾牌，耶和華賜下恩惠和光榮；他沒有留下一樣好處，不給那些行為正直的人。
12 萬軍之耶和華啊！倚靠你的人是有福的。
默想：
- 詩篇78-83篇可以說是經過沙漠曠野的旅程；神的子民既軟弱又困乏，他們受仇敵的苦害侵略，以致民不聊生，死路一條。難怪亞薩一次次地向神呼求，再次賜福給他的百姓，復興他們。
- 現在來到84篇，另一位詩人卻這樣提醒我們，不論我們的環境如何惡劣，神的兒女處在怎樣乾旱無水的沙漠，不遠之處總有綠洲。在舊約時代，百姓上耶路撒冷聖殿是往山上走的，當他們一面上行，一面想到很快就能來到錫安神的面前，心中充滿興奮喜樂，因此“他們行走，力上加力，直到各人在錫安朝見 神”。
- 今天我們每日的生活可能充滿了困難，我們的心傷痛，但是我們卻能知道，“靠你有力量，心中嚮往通到聖殿大道的，這人是有福的”。（5節）當生活中的壓力日增的時候，我們可以確信“他沒有留下一樣好處，不給那些行為正直的人”（11節）。
- 我們的日子越艱難，我們就越需要向神支取需要的能力，並經歷神賜給我們出人意外的平安，及各樣美善的恩賜。
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 20 Psalms Ch. 83
O God, Do Not Keep Silence
A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.
83 O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
they consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
5 For they conspire with one accord;
against you they make a covenant—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Asshur also has joined them;
they are the strong arm of the children of Lot.Selah
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who were destroyed at En-dor,
who became dung for the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves
of the pastures of God.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust,
like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest,
as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so may you pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your hurricane!
16 Fill their faces with shame,
that they may seek your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;
let them perish in disgrace,
18 that they may know that you alone,
whose name is the Lord,
are the Most High over all the earth.
Reflection
- This psalm is an impassioned appeal to God to crush the nations that conspired and attacked Israel. This psalm is also a prayer of intercession – interceding for people to have knowledge of God’s final vindication, and for this to result in conversion prior to that final day.
- The surrounding nations wanted to destroy the people of God (v.4). Yet, the psalmist saw this more as an attack on God Himself. He refers to them as “your enemies” (v.2) and stated how “against you they make a covenant” (v.5).
- The prayer of this Psalm is that God’s enemies will be routed. “O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.” (v.13). However, this is not merely a plea for destruction, but it is also intercession for conversion. “Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord…. that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” (vv.16, 18).
- Who are your opponents right now? Are your enemies also God’s? Do you pray for vengeance or the grace to love your “enemy” and for their conversion?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月20日：詩篇第83章
祈求 神消滅周圍敵國
歌一首，亞薩的詩。
83 神啊！求你不要靜默； 神啊！求你不要閉口，也不要一言不發。
2 看哪！你的仇敵喧嘩，恨你的人都抬起頭來。
3 他們密謀奸詐，陷害你的子民；他們彼此商議，攻擊你所寶貴的人。
4 他們說：“來吧！我們來把他們除滅，使他們不再成國，使以色列的名不再被人記念。”
5 他們同心商議，彼此結盟，要和你對抗。
6 他們就是住帳棚的以東人和以實瑪利人，摩押人和夏甲人，
7 迦巴勒、亞捫、亞瑪力、非利士和推羅的居民。
8 亞述也和他們聯合起來，作了羅得子孫的幫手。（細拉）
9 求你待他們好像待米甸人，像在基順河待西西拉和耶賓一樣；
10 他們都在隱．多珥被消滅，成了地上的糞土。
11 求你使他們的貴族像俄立和西伊伯，使他們的王子像西巴和撒慕拿。
12 他們曾說：“我們要得著 神的牧場作自己的產業。”
13 我的 神啊！求你使他們像旋風捲起的草，像風前的碎稭。
14 火怎樣焚燒樹林，火燄怎樣燃燒群山，
15 求你也照樣用狂風追趕他們，藉暴風雨驚嚇他們。
16 耶和華啊！求你使他們滿面羞愧，好使他們尋求你的名。
17 願他們永遠受辱驚惶，願他們抱愧滅亡。
18 使他們知道只有你的名是耶和華，唯有你是掌管全地的至高者。
默想：
- 這首詩陳詞迫切地懇求神將周圍欺壓他們的國家一一擊潰；但這也是一首代禱的詩——為百姓禱告，讓他們明白神最終會保護捍衛他們，並因這個盼望，祈求帶來百姓的悔改。
- 雖然鄰國虎視眈眈地要摧毀以色列（4節），但詩人卻看出這是對神本身的攻擊。他稱這些敵國為“你的仇敵”，並稱“他們同心商議，彼此結盟，要和你對抗”（5節）。
- 詩人禱告求神將祂的敵人剷除，“我的 神啊！求你使他們像旋風捲起的草，像風前的碎稭”（13節）。但是，這不但是祈求摧毀，也是為他們的悔改懇求，“求你使他們滿面羞愧，好使他們尋求你的名。……使他們知道只有你的名是耶和華，唯有你是掌管全地的至高者”（16，18節）。
- 你目前是否有什麼人是與你作對的？你的“仇敵”是否也是神的仇敵？你是祈求神來報復？或是求以神的恩典來愛你的“仇敵”，以見到他們悔改得救？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 19 Psalms Ch. 82
Rescue the Weak and Needy
A Psalm of Asaph.
82 God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!
Reflection
- The word “gods” in v1 and v6 refers to the strong ones in Israel, namely, the human rulers or authorities. They were appointed to this high position to give “justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (v3-4)
- Privilege carries responsibility. The higher the privilege, the greater the responsibility. While God has given us great privileges, His is the ultimate responsibility. Thus the psalmist was sure that God who holds men responsible will “rise” and “judge the earth” (v8).
- What responsibility do you have to the “weak and the needy”? What about your cell group or church? What can you individually and as a group do to fulfill this responsibility?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月19日：詩篇第82章
祈願 神審判不公的領袖
亞薩的詩。
82 神站在大能者的會中，在眾神之中施行審判，說：
2 “你們不按公義審判，偏袒惡人，要到幾時呢？（細拉）
3 你們要為貧寒的人和孤兒伸冤，為困苦和窮乏的人伸張正義。
4 要搭救貧寒和窮困的人，救他們脫離惡人的手。”
5 他們沒有知識，也不明白，在黑暗中走來走去；大地的一切根基都搖動了。
6 我曾說過：“你們都是神，是至高者的兒子。
7 然而，你們要像世人一樣死亡，像世上任何一位領袖一樣倒斃。”
8 神啊！求你起來，審判大地，因為萬國都是你的產業。
默想：
- 第1及第6節的“神”或“眾神”，是指以色列有權勢有地位的長官，當權者。他們身居高位，原意是要為“貧寒的人和孤兒伸冤，為困苦和窮乏的人伸張正義。要搭救貧寒和窮困的人，救他們脫離惡人的手”。
- 擁有特權就帶來責任，權位越高，責任也就越大。神將極大的特權給了我們，而祂自己就是最終的責任。因此，詩人明確知道，那位要我們負責、交賬的神，必要“起來，審判大地”。
- 你對“困苦和窮乏的人”有什麼責任？你的小組或教會對這些人有什麼責任？你個人如何達到這個責任？你的小組或教會能夠做些什麼，來完成這個責任使命？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 18 Psalms Ch. 81
Oh, That My People Would Listen to Me
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. Of Asaph.
81 Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph
when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known:
6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Reflection
- The psalmist had cried out to God for restoration. Yet in this psalm, he explicityly recognized the fact that God is always willing to deliver and to bless. It was Israel’s own failure (their stubborn hearts, v12) to listen to the Lord and submit to Him that led to disaster. God, speaking through the psalmist, said, “If only My people would hear My voice and Israel would follow My direction! Then I would not hesitate to humble their enemies and defeat their opposition Myself. (vv13-14, The Voice)”
- We too can cry out to God when we are in distress. But we need to examine our lives, and see if our own unwillingness to obey is keeping God from giving us the blessing we so desperately desire.
- Has God ever lifted a burden from your shoulders? What was it? What happened? Are you carrying a burden now? Read vv6-8 as God shouting at you, or whispering in your ears His love for you, and His desperate desire to carry off your burdens.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月18日：詩篇第81章
歌頌 神的恩召與寬容
亞薩的詩，交給詩班長，用“迦特”的樂器。
81 要向 神我們的力量歡呼，要向雅各的 神大聲呼叫。
2 要唱詩歌，打手鼓，彈奏美好的琴瑟。
3 要在月朔，在月望，在我們守節的日子吹角。
4 因為這是給以色列的律例，是雅各的 神的典章。
5 約瑟從埃及地出來的時候， 神為約瑟立了這法規。我聽見了我不曉得的言語。
6 神說：“我要除去你肩頭的重擔，使你的手放下筐子。
7 你在患難中呼求，我就搭救你；我在打雷的密雲中回答你，在米利巴的水邊試驗你。”（細拉）
8 “我的子民哪！你要聽，我要勸戒你；以色列啊！但願你肯聽從我。
9 在你中間不可有別的神，外族人的神你也不可敬拜。
10 我是耶和華你的 神，曾把你從埃及地領出來。你要大大張口，我就要給它充滿。
11 我的子民卻不聽我的話，以色列不肯服從我。
12 因此，我就任憑他們心裡剛硬，隨著自己的計謀行事。
13 只要我的子民聽從我，以色列肯遵行我的道，
14 我就迅速制伏他們的仇敵，把手轉回來攻擊他們的敵人。
15 憎恨耶和華的人必向他假意歸順，他們的刑期必永無止境。
16 但我必把上好的麥子給你們吃，又用磐石裡的蜂蜜使你們飽足。”
默想：
- 詩人在多首詩歌中都呼求神來復興祂的百姓，但在這首詩中，他明確地承認神一直都是願意拯救、樂意祝福的。其實是以色列民“心裡剛硬”（12節），不願聽神的話，不肯服從神的旨意；因而帶來各樣的災難。神透過詩人的話，說道：“只要我的子民聽從我，以色列肯遵行我的道，我就迅速制伏他們的仇敵，把手轉回來攻擊他們的敵人。”
- 當我們在困境中，就當向神呼求；且必須省察自己的生命，是否有“心裡剛硬”不願順服神，以致攔阻神將我們急切渴望的祝福賜給我們。
- 神是否曾經為你解除肩頭上的重擔？是什麼？你目前是否仍在背負什麼重擔？慢慢地讀6-8節，聆聽神對你的呼喊，或是細聲的叮嚀，體會神對你的疼愛，以及祂願意搭救你的心。
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
Lok-Kei Law: Pastor’s Corner 2014-03-16
Psalms 78 teaches present and future generations to learn from the past, and it stresses the grace of God. It recounted their history. In the wilderness, God’s people were judged when they put the Lord to the test. Even though later generations forgot His miracles and were disloyal to His covenant, God was merciful to them. Despite the love displayed in the Exodus and Conquest, Israel continued to rebel against the Lord, and was justly punished. Despite Israel’s faults, God chose David to shepherd His people. The lesson of the psalm is clear. In David, Israel was granted a fresh start. God’s people had to learn from their past, and follow David’s example of faithfulness to the Lord if they hoped to avoid future disaster.
What story of God’s past dealings with you can you remember in times of temptation, forgetfulness and doubt you still face?
I still face doubt of whether God is present and his power is enough. I have been tempted by seeking a easy way out of the hard work of making disciples. I confess that I forget about all the goodness and mercy that God has blessed me. In terms of story of God’s past dealings, I remember the following:
- When I was feeling hopeless about the future when I was an university student, God used a brother with a passion for evangelism to invite me to accept the good news of Jesus Christ during fellowship.
- When I was facing temptation from my career crisis a few years ago, God opened the door to experience Him through opportunities to serve Him in various mission opportunities. When I fled away from the temptation, I was blessed with edifying fellowship with brothers and sisters who were passionate for Christ. Through seeing the lives of brothers and sisters who surrendered themselves to God, I am able to see that God has a different plan than the one I envision for myself. Through all the years, I was never lacking by any means.
- When I was facing temptation from relational brokenness a few years ago, God sent His servants to minister to my wounded heart. I was tempted to be unforgiving and turn to lustful pursuits to bury my heartache. The unconditional love and encouragement from the brothers I serve showed me the love of God.
- Today, when I am facing temptation from abandoning God’s calling, I recalled what God did for me for the last decade since I received the gift of salvation. I was blessed with the opportunities to connect with some brothers and sisters whom made significant impact to my faith in Christ. I was able to serve as a leader in the Teens Conference for the 5th year. Through witnessing the power of God’s Word changing the heart of the teens, God gave me renewed passion to serve Him.
260 Devotional, Mar. 17 Psalms Ch. 80
Restore Us, O God
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony. Of Asaph, a Psalm.
80 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
4 O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 It sent out its branches to the sea
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15 the stock that your right hand planted,
and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18 Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
Reflection
- The psalmist appealed to God to deliver and restore as the Shepherd of His people Israel. The title “Lord of hosts” suggests God’s ability to deliver His people whenever He chooses to do so. But the Lord’s silence implied that He was angry with them. As a shepherd, God had fed His people, but He had given them tears to eat and to drink rather than nourishing food. Their condition led their neighbor nations to mock them.
- Starting v8, the psalmist pictured Israel as a vine that God had transplanted from Egypt to Canaan. He cleared the land of Canaan for her by driving the native people out. Israel had taken root in the Promised Land and, as a vine, had spread out in all directions. It had become strong and luxuriant under God’s blessing. However, God had broken down the wall that protected it, and its neighbors were now consuming it.
- God’s people are similar to a grapevine, in that God has called us to be a blessing to others. However, if we do not walk in trust and obedience, God may PRUNE us back and limit our fruitfulness in order to increase our ultimate productivity. We experience blessings as we become a blessing to others. If we depart from God, we need to call on Him to restore our fruitfulness and commit ourselves to Him again.
- Have you experienced God’s pruning in your life? Has that experience help improve the productivity of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月17日：詩篇第80章
祈求 神眷顧復興他的子民
亞薩的詩，交給詩班長，調用“見證的花”。
80 以色列的牧者啊！帶領約瑟好像帶領羊群的啊！求你留心聽；坐在基路伯上面的啊！求你顯出榮光。
2 在以法蓮、便雅憫和瑪拿西面前，求你施展你的大能，前來拯救我們。
3 神啊，求你使我們復興！願你的臉光照我們，我們就可以得救。
4 耶和華萬軍之 神啊！你因你子民的禱告發怒，要到幾時呢？
5 你使他們以眼淚當餅吃，使他們喝滿杯的淚水。
6 你使我們的鄰國因我們紛爭，我們的仇敵也譏笑我們。
7 萬軍的 神啊！求你使我們復興；願你的臉光照我們，我們就可以得救。
8 你從埃及帶走一棵葡萄樹，你趕出外族人，把這樹栽上。
9 你為它預備了地土，它就深深扎根，充滿全地。
10 它的蔭影遮蓋了群山，它的枝條遮蓋了高大的香柏樹。
11 它的枝條伸展，直到大海；它的幼苗，直到大河。
12 你為甚麼拆毀它的籬笆，任由所有過路的人採摘呢？
13 從樹林中出來的野豬踐踏它，田野的走獸把它吃了。
14 萬軍的 神啊！求你回心轉意，從天上垂看鑒察，眷顧這葡萄樹，
15 眷顧你右手栽種的根，和你為自己培育的兒子。
16 這樹已被火燒，被砍下；他們因你臉上的怒容滅亡。
17 願你的手護庇你右邊的人，就是你為自己培育的人。
18 這樣，我們就不退後離開你；求你救活我們，我們就要求告你的名。
19 耶和華萬軍的 神啊！求你使我們復興；願你的臉光照我們，我們就可以得救。
默想：
- 詩人向神禱告，“以色列的牧者啊！帶領約瑟好像帶領羊群的”，懇求神拯救、復興以色列。“萬軍的神”是指神有大能來解救百姓，但是，神的靜默暗示神對他們的憤怒。作為以色列的牧者，神要餵飽他們；但祂卻“使他們以眼淚當餅吃，使他們喝滿杯的淚水”。他們的處境使得鄰近國家嗤笑他們。
- 第八節開始，詩人將以色列比喻為葡萄樹，神將他們由埃及移植至迦南地。祂趕逐當地的百姓，使以色列在應許之地落地生根，在神的祝福下健壯成長枝葉茂盛，結果累累。但是神竟然將周圍保護的城牆拆毀，使得鄰國趁機攻擊擄掠。
- 我們得救的信徒也如葡萄樹一樣，神要我們結出果實成為他人的祝福。但當我們不信靠順服神的時候，神就可能要修剪砍除我們的枝葉，為的是最終能夠壯健成長，開花結果。當我們成為他人祝福的時候，也就是我們自己經歷神祝福的時候。若我們再次離開神，就必須回轉，向神呼求拯救，再次委身，並得以結出果實來。
- 你是否曾經有過神在你生命中“修剪”的經歷？這個經歷如何幫助你結出更多屬靈的果子來？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 14 Psalms Ch. 79
How Long, O Lord?
A Psalm of Asaph.
79 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple;
they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have given the bodies of your servants
to the birds of the heavens for food,
the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors,
mocked and derided by those around us.
5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your anger on the nations
that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms
that do not call upon your name!
7 For they have devoured Jacob
and laid waste his habitation.
8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake!
10 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
be known among the nations before our eyes!
11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!
12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors
the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Reflection
- The psalmist Asaph recounted the violence done to Jerusalem by pagan nations and called on God to pay them back. He acknowledged that the disaster came because of their “former iniquities” (sins of our ancestors, v8 , the Voice). He called on God to forgive His people and restore the nation for His own glory. He then asked God to pay back the nations, for in crushing Judah, they have, in fact, insulted the Lord.
- As we look at the society we are in, we see Christians and churches become objects of scorn and derision, too. The psalmist prayed: “How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?”(vv5)
- This is a prayer of desperation. It is also a prayer of faith. The psalmist believes God has the power to transform the situation. He looks forward to the time when God will answer their prayer, then “we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise (v.13).”
- Are you saying “How long” right now? What makes you impatient?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
260靈修 3月14日：詩篇第79章
祈求 神懲罰入侵的外族
亞薩的詩。
79 神啊！外族人侵入你的產業，污穢了你的聖殿，使耶路撒冷成為廢墟。
2 他們把你僕人的屍首，給空中的飛鳥啄食；把你聖民的肉，給地上的野獸吞噬。
3 他們在耶路撒冷的周圍把聖民的血像水一般倒出，沒有人埋葬他們。
4 我們成為鄰國羞辱的對象，成為四周的人嗤笑和譏刺的目標。
5 耶和華啊！要到幾時呢？你要永遠懷怒嗎？你的憤恨要像火焚燒嗎？
6 願你把你的烈怒，傾倒在不認識你的外族人，和不求告你名的列國身上。
7 因為他們吞吃了雅各，使他的住處荒涼。
8 求你不要記住我們祖先的罪孽；願你的憐憫快快臨到我們，因為我們落到極卑微的地步。
9 拯救我們的 神啊！求你因你名的榮耀幫助我們；為你名的緣故，搭救我們，赦免我們的罪。
10 為甚麼容外族人說：“他們的 神在哪裡呢？”願我們親眼看見你在列邦中，使人知道你要為你僕人所流的血伸冤。
11 願被囚的人的唉哼，達到你面前；願你用你的大能，使那些已定死罪的人可以存留。
12 主啊！願你把我們鄰國羞辱你的羞辱，七倍歸還在他們身上。
13 這樣，我們作你的子民，作你牧場上的羊的，要永遠稱謝你；我們要世世代代述說你可稱頌的事。
默想：
- 詩人亞薩歷數外邦對耶路撒冷的暴行，並呼求神向他們報復。他求神懲罰“不認識你的外族人”（6節），並拯救祂的苦難百姓。
- 亞薩承認百姓遭遇這些災難是因為“我們祖先的罪孽”（8節）。他呼求神赦免祂的百姓，為祂自己的榮耀，重建以色列國；並求神對付這些國家，因為侵略猶大，事實上，就是對神的侮辱。
- 我們環觀今天的社會，很多基督徒與教會也同樣成為世人嘲笑、責罵愚弄的對象。因此正如詩人一樣，我們呼求“耶和華啊！要到幾時呢？你要永遠懷怒嗎？”（5節）
- 這篇詩是一個急切的懇求，也是一個信心的禱告。詩人相信神有能力扭轉情況，因此期盼神應允他們的禱告，“這樣，我們作你的子民，作你牧場上的羊的，要永遠稱謝你；我們要世世代代述說你可稱頌的事。”（13節）
- 你現在是否正在問神“要到幾時呢？”是什麼事情使得你如此心急，不耐煩？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對你說的話。
將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在靈程筆記簿上面。
260 Devotional, Mar. 13 Psalms Ch. 78
Tell the Coming Generation
A Maskil of Asaph.
56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God
and did not keep his testimonies,
57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
they twisted like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard, he was full of wrath,
and he utterly rejected Israel.
60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh,
the tent where he dwelt among mankind,
61 and delivered his power to captivity,
his glory to the hand of the foe.
62 He gave his people over to the sword
and vented his wrath on his heritage.
63 Fire devoured their young men,
and their young women had no marriage song.
64 Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.
66 And he put his adversaries to rout;
he put them to everlasting shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph;
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loves.
69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded forever.
70 He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
72 With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand.
Reflection
- This psalm teaches present and future generations to learn from the past, and it stresses the grace of God. It recounted their history. In the wilderness, God’s people were judged when they willfully put the Lord to the test. Even though later generations forgot His miracles and were disloyal to His covenant, God was merciful to them. Despite the love displayed in the Exodus and Conquest, Israel continued to rebel against the Lord, and was justly punished.
- But then, in today’s passage, despite Israel’s faults, God chose David to shepherd His people. The lesson of the psalm is clear. In David, Israel was granted a fresh start. God’s people had to learn from their past, and follow David’s example of faithfulness to the Lord if they hoped to avoid future disaster.
- What story of God’s past dealings with you can you remember in times of temptation, forgetfulness and doubt you still face?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.