每当我们默想神的荣美、祂的创造之美,以及作为神的子民和睦同居、共同服事之美,重要的是还要向前展望。圣经中有许多有关耶稣带来的修复之美,以及这种修复邀请我们去过的美好生活的应许。
我们现在生活的世界仍然被罪的污染和丑陋所玷污,但我们需要记住,它也充满了美好盼望的记号。《圣经》应许我们,有一天耶稣会再来,使万物更新。
例如,《以赛亚书》第25章指出了将来的盛大庆典,在神的圣山上摆设的筵席。我们在婚礼庆典或周年纪念日派对上感受到的喜悦和幸福,只是对神为我们准备的将来庆典的一瞥。以赛亚说,在那个美好的将来,神将带走所有的悲伤、难过和羞耻。先知是在对流亡中的人们讲话,他们原本害怕,但他给了他们充满盼望的话语。
当我们等候这个美好的未来时,我们也活在盼望之中。我们可以相信,神定会持守祂的应许。
赐我们未来的神,感谢你在你的话语中给我们的应许,说你将使万物更新。求你赐给我们盼望,帮助我们在等候美好的那一日的过程中服事你。奉耶稣的名,阿们。
以赛亚书 25:6-9
6在这山上,万军之耶和华必为万民用肥甘设摆筵席,用陈酒和满髓的肥甘,并澄清的陈酒设摆筵席。
7他又必在这山上,除灭遮盖万民之物和遮蔽万国蒙脸的帕子。
8他已经吞灭死亡,直到永远,主耶和华必擦去各人脸上的眼泪,又除掉普天下他百姓的羞辱,因为这是耶和华说的。
9到那日,人必说:“看哪,这是我们的神,我们素来等候他,他必拯救我们。这是耶和华,我们素来等候他,我们必因他的救恩欢喜快乐。”
"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast. . . . The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces. . . ." - Isaiah 25:6-8
As we reflect on the beauty of God, the beauty of his creation, and the beauty of living and serving together as God's people, it's important also to look ahead. The Bible includes many promises about the restored beauty that Jesus brings, and about the beautiful life that this restoration invites us to live.
The world we live in now is still tainted by the pollution and ugliness of sin, but we need to remember that it is also filled with signs of beautiful hope. The Bible promises that one day Jesus will return to make all things new.
For example, Isaiah 25 points to a future celebration, a feast on the holy mountain of God. The joy and happiness that we feel at a wedding celebration or at an anniversary party is like a glimpse of the future celebration that God has in store for us. And in that beautiful future, Isaiah says, God will take away all sadness and sorrow and disgrace. The prophet was speaking to people who were in exile, who had reason to be afraid—but he gave them words of hope.
We too live in hope as we await this beautiful future. We can trust that God will keep his promises.
God of the future, thank you for the promises you give us in your Word, saying you will make all things new. Give us hope and help us to serve you as we await that beautiful day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳