绿荫凉亭
小时候，我乘地铁上学。我穿过一个希腊和意大利的社区去车站，看到老人们坐在他们小小前院的葡萄树荫下，被城市的喧嚣包围着，周围挤满了房子。他们坐在那里，手里拿着一杯红酒，和老朋友愉快地交谈着。我想像着，在他们原来那个“古老的国家”中，他们一定也是这样的。
我们在弥迦书第四章中看到的图画，是指向神国中完满的生活，即耶稣再来时将要最终建造的完满生活。其它圣经经文也给了我们类似和平、喜乐、富足的画面（参以赛亚书 25:1-9；65:17-25；启示录 21:1-5），甚至现在我们也能看到一些迹象，并瞥见神对这个世界持续的看顾，以及在我们当中的作为。
我们在日常新闻中听到的危机以及民族间根深蒂固的仇恨，加剧了生活的压力和忙乱节奏。然而，凡得救的人，“神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里，保守（我们的）心怀意念。”（腓立比书 4:7）我们有一位牧羊人守护着我们，无须害怕。我们知道，尽管国与国之间存在敌意，我们也将面临生活中的挣扎，但神仍在掌权，祂永恒的国度必要得胜！
主啊，当我们害怕时，求祢提醒我们祢慈爱的看顾和深深的同在。在基督里，阿们。
弥迦书 4:1-4
1 末后的日子，耶和华殿的山必坚立超乎诸山，高举过于万岭，万民都要流归这山。
2 必有许多国的民前往，说：“来吧！我们登耶和华的山，奔雅各神的殿。主必将他的道教训我们，我们也要行他的路，因为训诲必出于锡安，耶和华的言语必出于耶路撒冷。”
3 他必在多国的民中施行审判，为远方强盛的国断定是非。他们要将刀打成犁头，把枪打成镰刀。这国不举刀攻击那国，他们也不再学习战事。
4 人人都要坐在自己葡萄树下和无花果树下，无人惊吓。这是万军之耶和华亲口说的。
A Shady Grape Arbor
"Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid. . . ." — Micah 4:4
When I was young, I commuted to school by subway. I walked through a Greek and Italian neighborhood to the station and would see elderly folks sitting in the shade of a grape arbor in their tiny front yards, houses crowded around them, surrounded by the bustle of the city. There they would sit, glass of wine in hand, enjoying a pleasant conversation with old friends. I imagined it must have been that way for them in “the old country” too, where they had come from.
The word pictures we find in Micah 4 point to full life in the kingdom of God, which Jesus will fully establish on this earth when he comes again. Other Bible passages give us similar pictures of peace and joyful abundance (see Isaiah 25:1-9; 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-5), and even now we can see signs and catch glimpses of God’s sustaining care and his work among us in this world.
The pressures and hectic pace of life are intensified by the dangers and deep-seated hatred among nations that we hear about in the daily news. But for all who are saved, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We have a Shepherd who watches over us, and there is no need to fear. We know that although there is enmity between nations and we will face struggles in life, God is sovereign and his everlasting kingdom will prevail.
When we are afraid, Lord, remind us of your loving care and strong presence. In Christ, Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
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