每日诗歌: Mercy me, even if ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y )
每日读经:约伯记19-20
( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=job+19&version=CUVS )
每日金句:
约伯记 19:25 “我知道我的救赎主活着,末了必站立在地上。”
每日问题:
如何避免约伯的朋友犯的错误?当失去了所有,如何保持对神的信心?
每日灵修:
约伯记 19:25有可能约这本书中最有名的经文。可是为了这一节经文,约伯付了大大的代价。这本书记录了约伯极端受苦的故事。在19章,约伯直接说他感觉被朋友攻击说他是个恶人。在20章, 琐法形容一个恶人堕落的情况。这意味着约伯也是邪恶,所以也会经历这种痛苦。他的朋友们可能本来好意的打算在遇到苦难的时候帮助他,但最终却指责他是一个骄傲,无神的人, 在读20章的时候,我却惊讶,琐法是怎么这怪他的 “朋友” 约伯。 可是我们在教会里会不会犯一样的错误?我们如此迅速地纠正别人,告诉他在哪里错,为什么错。我们以为用言语、逻辑、甚至神学可以让他们知道他们的错误和罪。可能就像约伯的朋友。 单单依靠着好意,可能会造成更深的痛苦. 我们容易依靠自己的逻辑和思想, 就忘记行动胜于空谈。不能自以为义,单单的神说的话。可能从神学上来说,琐法的话听起来好有道理,但他却错过了恩典的概念。
但是约伯仅仅的抓住这个恩典和盼望。在19:25 他说 “我知道我的救赎主活着”。 这个词“救赎主”在路得记形容波阿斯, 在先知书里是神说自己要赎回以色列时自称的名字。约伯对他的救赎主是有非常确据。 他又有把握知道神就是救赎主,末了必站立在地上。约伯知道这个事实,也期待着那一天会亲眼看见神。约伯忍受了好多痛苦,可是他仍然可以说他确定自己的救赎主神活着,并且有一天他会面对面见他。这是多奇妙啊。这句话给我们多大的提醒。 愿我们在一天一天地生活里, 不仅是出于自己的“好意”而说话,而且还要通过神的爱与恩典来行动。
祷告:
亲爱的天父,论断别人对我来说是多容易的事。 对别人有恩典慈爱却是多么的难。唯一靠你,才能活出你的爱和恩典。只靠圣灵才能更像你。当我面对苦难的时候,愿我像约伯一样,渴望着见你的面,知道只有你是救赎主。 阿门!
Daily Verse:
Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
Daily Question:
How can I avoid making the mistakes of Job’s friends? How can I keep my faith even when I’ve lost everything?
Daily Devotion:
Job 19:25 is probably one of the most famous verses in the book of Job. But it came at a high price. Job records one of the most difficult stories of personal suffering. He is brutally honest with how his friends have made him feel attacked, accusing him of being a wicked man. In chapter 20, Zophar the Naamathite describes the downfall of a wicked man, implying that Job also must be wicked to experience this suffering. How sad it is that his friends , who probably had good intentions of helping him in his time of trouble, end up accusing him of being a prideful, godless man. Reading chapter 20, I am shocked at the accusations that Zophar brings down on Job, his “friend”. And yet, do we as a church, make the same mistake? We are so quick to correct others, to show them just where and why they are wrong. We think with our words, our logic, even our theology that we can convict others. And yet, like Job’s friends, when relying on best intentions, we may cause deeper pain. It is so easy to rely on my own understanding and reasoning. But I forget that my actions speak louder than my words and that God speaks loudest of all. Although Zophar’s words may make a lot of sense to us theologically, he misses out on the concept of grace.
But Job clings to this concept of grace and hope. He says “I know that my redeemer lives”. This word, redeemer is the same word that describes Boaz, the same name God calls himself when he says He will redeem Israel in the books of the prophets. Job uses this word, REDEEMER with such certainty. He is certain, he is sure that God his Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand on the earth. Job knows this and he longs for the moment when he can see God with his own eyes. Even after everything Job has endured, he can still say that he is certain that his Redeemer God lives, and that one day he will see Him face to face. What an amazing statement. What a great reminder to us in the church today. May we face the future knowing that our Redeemer lives and will stand at last on the earth. May we walk through life, not just speaking out of our own good intentions, but through actions of God’s love and grace.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, It is so easy for me to judge others, to speak out and correct them. But it is so difficult for me to show the grace and love that you so freely showed me. Only through you is this possible. Only through your Holy Spirit can I be like you. Just like Job, may I also long to see your face in the midst of my suffering. May I remember that you alone are Redeemer God. Amen!