440 中翻英 (130)

六月二十七日

「万軍之耶和華与我們同在，雅各的神是我們的避難所。」（詩   46:11 新國際版）

雅各的歷史与我們的經歷，是多么的相似！當神還沒有開始對付我們的時候，我們對雅各的詭詐，常有一种超越的態度与傾向。但當我們開始面對自己的彎曲心思時，我們就發現在我們里頭的人類基本品性。請記得，雅各那天然的生命，如何轉變為屬靈有用的器皿，這全然是神恩典的能力所造成的。

以實瑪利也許會說到亞伯拉罕的神，以掃也許會談及亞伯拉罕和以撒的神，曾如何與祂有一些交往。但他們所論述的只不過是已往歷史的回顧，他們對于神的認識，從未有個人的經歷。所以，在圣經里，我們沒有讀到以實瑪利的神，或以掃的神。但雅各卻不是這樣。對于雅各（甚至對于我們），若單憑已往屬靈的交通与經歷還是不夠的。我們的神是我們現在的避難所，也是我們現在的能力。我們必須如同摩西在火焰的荊棘中，听到神說：「我是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。」在這位神里面，我們眾人就都有盼望。

June 27

"The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." (Psalm 46:11 NIV)

How similar is Jacob's history with our life experience! Before God begins to deal with us, we often have an attitude and tendency to surpass Jacob's deceit. But when we start to face our crooked minds, we discover the basic human nature within us. Remember, how the Jacob's natural life transformed into a spiritually useful vessel was entirely done by the power of God's grace.  

Ishmael might speak of the God of Abraham, and Esau might speak of the God of Abraham and Isaac, how they had some dealings with Him. But what they discuss is only a review of past history. They have never had personal experience with God. Therefore, we do not read about the God of Ishmael or the God of Esau in the Bible. Neither with Jacob. For Jacob (and even for us), past spiritual fellowship and experience alone are not enough. Our God is the present refuge and  strength of us. We must be like Moses, as he in the burning bush, hearing God say, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." In this God, we all have hope.