我居住的地方有很多广播电台,各种各样的歌曲不断播放,似乎永远也听不完。然而,有一段时间,有一首歌似乎比其他歌曲播放得更频繁——或者至少我对这首歌的印象比其他歌要深刻。这是一首情歌,却未必是赞美诗,但每当我听到这首歌时,就觉得是神的灵在轻声发出邀请说:“来和我共渡良辰吧。此刻让我用爱来浇灌你。”这种感触发生在我又忙又累的时候,圣灵轻叩我的心,让我在祂的面前停留。这是一个温柔的提醒:祂不会任凭我独自挣扎。
有时神会以意想不到的方式——甚至是罕见的方式与我们相遇。当以利亚独自一人在旷野时,神以一种在当时被视为是忌讳或匪夷所思的方式看顾他。乌鸦是不洁净的鸟,所以直接从它们嘴里接受食物对以利亚来说是很奇怪的事。他可能会困惑,从不被允许的事物那里接受帮助是否合适?但神可以使用任何媒介来作工,无论是乌鸦还是收音机里播放的歌曲。
主啊,我们发出惊叹!在你没有难成的事,无论我们在哪里,你都要临到我们。谢谢你所做的一切,让我们重新回到你身边。我们因你名的大能而活。阿们。
列王纪上 17:1-6
1基列寄居的提斯比人以利亚对亚哈说:“我指着所侍奉永生耶和华以色列的神起誓:这几年我若不祷告,必不降露不下雨。”
2耶和华的话临到以利亚说:
3“你离开这里往东去,藏在约旦河东边的基立溪旁。
4你要喝那溪里的水,我已吩咐乌鸦在那里供养你。”
5于是以利亚照着耶和华的话,去住在约旦河东的基立溪旁。
6乌鸦早晚给他叼饼和肉来,他也喝那溪里的水。
"You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there." - 1 Kings 17:4
There are so many radio stations where I live that the possibilities for listening to all kinds of songs can seem endless. For a time, though, one song seemed to be aired far more often than others—or at least I paid more attention to it than to others. It was meant to be a love song, not necessarily a worship song, but whenever I heard it, it felt like God's Spirit was whispering: "Come and spend time with me. Let me shower you with love for a while." This happened during a time when I was busy and tired, and the Spirit's nudging in my heart to linger in his presence was a tender reminder that he wouldn't leave me to flounder.
Sometimes God meets us in ways that are unexpected—and maybe even unconventional. When Elijah was alone in the wilderness, God cared for him in a way that was considered taboo or impossible at that time. Ravens were unclean birds, so receiving food directly from their mouths would have seemed strange for Elijah. He might have wondered if it was even okay to receive help from something that was considered off limits. But God can potentially use anything to bring restoration, whether it's ravens or songs on a radio.
Lord, we are amazed that nothing is too hard for you and that you will come to reach us wherever we are. Thank you for doing what it takes to restore us to you. We live by grace in the power of your name. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳