哈曼在波斯战败,已经是许多个世纪之前的事了,然而直到如今,仍然有人在尝试消灭犹大人,第二次世界大战的大屠杀便是不久之前才发生的一个事例。同样,耶稣战胜了罪恶和死亡,已经有许多个世纪了,但这自古以来的敌人,仍然继续地逼迫衪的门徒。
面对无止境的攻击,神的子民怎能保持喜乐并继续欢宴?邪恶的势力似乎是如此强大,他们能够做什么呢?
首先,我们要记着,神自古以来的敌人,已经肯定战败了,但它仍然在苟延残喘,像一只被大链锁住的狗,它会疯狂地猛扑向那些站在它所及之处的人(启示录 20:1-3)。第二,像末底改和以斯帖那样,让我们也看到在这个世代发生的迫害和残杀。在中东的基督徒,今天仍然面对什么事情呢?在很多国家,信徒仍然会因他们的信仰面对死亡的威吓。
世人信赖自己的能力去解决难题,然而神的子民却接受一个事实,就是惟有基督再来,才能彻底解决这些难题。在我们等待衪回来时,让我们学效末底改和以斯帖,在我们居住的国家中做一个好公民,但是,我们唯一的盼望仍然是那位掌管天地的主。
有一天,基督最终完全战胜那自古以来的仇敌,当我们仍然在等待这个日子时,让我们继续努力作工和祷告吧。
主耶稣,愿祢快来,领我们进入祢完全的安息里。但是,当我们在等待时,惟愿我们继续为祢的国度努力作工。奉祢的名祈求,阿们。
以斯帖记 9:29-32; 弥迦书 7:1-7 Esther 9:29-32; Micah 7:1-7
29 亚比孩的女儿-王后以斯帖和犹大人末底改以全权写第二封信,坚嘱犹大人守这“普珥日”,
30用和平诚实话写信给亚哈随鲁王国中一百二十七省所有的犹大人,
31劝他们按时守这“普珥日”,禁食呼求,是照犹大人末底改和王后以斯帖所嘱咐的,也照犹大人为自己与后裔所应承的。
32以斯帖命定守“普珥日”,这事也记录在书上。
1哀哉!我好像夏天的果子已被收尽,又像摘了葡萄所剩下的,没有一挂可吃的;我心羡慕初熟的无花果。
2地上虔诚人灭尽;世间没有正直人;各人埋伏,要杀人流血,都用网罗猎取弟兄。
3他们双手作恶;君王徇情面,审判官要贿赂;位分大的吐出恶意,都彼此结联行恶。
4他们最好的,不过是蒺藜;最正直的,不过是荆棘篱笆。你守望者说,降罚的日子已经来到。他们必扰乱不安。
5不要倚赖邻舍;不要信靠密友。要守住你的口;不要向你怀中的妻提说。
6因为,儿子藐视父亲;女儿抗拒母亲;媳妇抗拒婆婆;人的仇敌就是自己家里的人。
7至于我,我要仰望耶和华,要等候那救我的上帝;我的上帝必应允我。
Joyful And Watchful
Although it’s been centuries since Haman was defeated in Persia, others have tried to destroy the Jews since then. The holocaust of World War II is a painfully recent example. Centuries have also passed since Jesus’ victory over sin and death, but the ancient enemy has not failed to keep persecuting his followers.
How can God’s people sustain their joy and feasting in the face of endless attacks? What can they do when evil seems so strong?
First, remember that God’s ancient enemy has been decisively, though not yet fully, defeated. Like a dog, furious at being chained, he lunges at anyone within reach from the end of a long chain (Revelation 20:1-3). Second, like Mordecai and Esther, let us recognize contemporary forms of persecution and destruction. What is happening to Christians in the Middle East today? In many countries believers still face death for their faith.
Whereas the world trusts in its own ability to solve problems, God’s people rest in the truth that only Christ’s coming again will provide the real solution. In the meantime, like Mordecai and Esther, let us be good citizens of the country where we live, but let us hope only in the Lord of heaven and earth.
As we joyfully look forward to the day of Christ’s ultimate victory over the ancient enemy, let us continue to work and pray.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and bring us into the fullness of your rest. But while we wait, may we work for your kingdom. In your name, Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳