在他年老的时候，雅各又开始了一段新的旅程。许多年前，雅各非常害怕地逃离了他的家乡；如今，他带着盼望，期待与他的儿子喜乐重逢，这儿子他曾以为已经死了。只是这趟旅程需要他离开神所应许给他的土地（创 35:12），往埃及去；而埃及对他父亲和爷爷来说是个危险之地（创 12:10-20；26:2）。神会这样突如其来地改变计划吗？
雅各难能可贵的地方在于，他踏上新的旅程之前，首先来敬拜寻求神——因为即使是对我们很有吸引力的计划，如果不荣耀神，也终将不能成功。虽然他自己的儿子邀请他到埃及去居住，雅各也清楚地知道上帝曾经警告说，他的后代会在外邦地被恶待（创 15:13）。故此，神的首肯对他的旅程来说是个关键。
也许，神把你放在一个你没有预期的旅程中：一份新的工作，一个新家，一个挑战你信心的环境。今天就请听雅各所曾听见的应许：“不要害怕，我会和你一起下去。”神藉着祂道成肉身的儿子，住在我们中间，并和我们结伴同行；祂会搭救我们，并祝福一切意料之外的旅程。
主啊，有些时候，你带我们迈上出人意料的旅程。求你给我们智慧去查验你的引领，并给我们勇气接受你一直和我们在一起。奉救主耶稣之名祷告，阿们。
创世记 46:1-7, 28-30
1以色列带着一切所有的，起身来到别是巴，就献祭给他父亲以撒的神。
2夜间，神在异象中对以色列说：“雅各！雅各！”他说：“我在这里。”
3神说：“我是神，就是你父亲的神。你下埃及去不要害怕，因为我必使你在那里成为大族。
4我要和你同下埃及去，也必定带你上来。约瑟必给你送终。”
5雅各就从别是巴起行。以色列的儿子们使他们的父亲雅各和他们的妻子、儿女都坐在法老为雅各送来的车上。
6他们又带着迦南地所得的牲畜、货财来到埃及。雅各和他的一切子孙都一同来了。
7雅各把他的儿子、孙子、女儿、孙女，并他的子子孙孙，一同带到埃及。
28雅各打发犹大先去见约瑟，请派人引路往歌珊去。于是他们来到歌珊地。
29约瑟套车往歌珊去，迎接他父亲以色列，及至见了面，就伏在父亲的颈项上哭了许久。
30以色列对约瑟说：“我既得见你的面，知道你还在，就是死我也甘心。”
"Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there." - Genesis 46:3
In his old age Jacob now begins one more journey. Many years earlier, Jacob had fled his homeland in fear; now he leaves in the hope of a joyful reunion with a son he had thought was dead. But this journey also requires him to leave the land God has promised to him (Genesis 35:12). This journey will take him to Egypt, a place of danger for his father and grandfather (Genesis 12:10-20; 26:2). Can God be involved in this unexpected change of plans?
It is to Jacob's credit that he begins this journey with worship—for even if a plan seems appealing to us, it will not succeed if it does not honor God. Though his own son had invited him to come and stay in Egypt, Jacob also surely knew of God's warning that his descendants would be mistreated in a foreign land (Genesis 15:13). For this reason, God's assurance is vital to his journey.
Perhaps it seems that God has placed you on a journey you did not expect: a new career, a new home, a challenging situation that stretches your faith. Hear today the great assurance that Jacob heard: "Do not be afraid. . . . I will go . . . with you." God, who lived among us and journeyed with us in the flesh of his Son (John 1:14), will redeem and bless even the unexpected journeys of all who trust in him.
Lord, sometimes you send us to unexpected places in life. Give us wisdom to discern your leading in our journeys, and give us courage in knowing you are always with us, through Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
