Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 8 月【上帝的幽默感】夏夜的星空

【上帝的幽默感】夏夜的星空

 

MeiLin 1夏夜的星空是非常迷人的,假如你未曾在黑夜裡觀看閃爍著星星的夜空,那麼我要鼓勵你,千萬不要錯過今年的夏夜。到沙灘上躺一躺,到海邊走一走,溫哥華在七八月裡有好幾次放煙花的機會,但是煙花一閃即散,留下的只是環繞不去的濃煙和臭味,以及無數的垃圾。但是仰望星空,當那無數的星星向你眨眼時,你享受到的又豈是一時的歡呼,而是心靈裡永不忘懷的,對神的敬拜和尊崇。

讀詩篇時,常常讀到神和祂手所造的天;也曾想過保羅說的三層天有多遠,多麼神奇。但是讀了張文亮教授對 "四層天" 的描寫,心裡的敬畏更深了。當然,此 "四層天" 與保羅的 "三層天" 不同,各有奧妙,千萬不要以之相比。《夜在沙灘邊等待一隻螺睡覺》是張教授寫給小朋友看的一本書,但是看完之後,我發現也很適合給大人看,因為其中有很多事情是我未曾想過的。若是小朋友讀了他的書變聰明了,那麼很多大人都會輸給小孩了。

MeiLin 2例如,蒼蠅是益蟲還是害蟲呢?小時候讀書時,老師說蒼蠅是害蟲,因為牠會傳染病菌。是否因為蒼蠅在糞便上交配、產卵,又停留在人的食物上,所以牠是害蟲?但是天生蒼蠅必有用,所以當蒼蠅把卵產在糞便上,卵孵化成蛆,蛆把糞便當食物,就可以很快分解糞便。糞便就可以很快自地上消失,減少環境衛生的問題。有很多事情,都是我們想不到的,原來蒼蠅也有對人類有利的一面。

那麼,天空又是怎麼一回事呢?只會對著天空發呆,驚嘆其綺麗景觀的我,從來沒想到在大氣層裡,神為人類設置了那多的保護。例如:大氣層的最外圈是增溫層,又稱電離層,只用千萬分之一的空氣,就可以攔下大氣層外,來自太陽和其他星球的宇宙射線和 X 光,免得人類 "曝光" 過度。在第二層的中氣層裡的氣體分子,可以磨損進入大氣層的隕石,或將大的隕石磨成小的隕石,如此掉入地球的隕石就不至於被隕石打死或擊傷。每一年掉入地球的隕石約有一萬噸,又稱為宇宙塵。我們在夜裡看到流星劃過天空,流星的光芒正是中氣層保護地球的明證(p.141)。

大氣層的第三層是平流層,是臭氧最多的地方。臭氧只佔大氣含量的百萬分之五,但是所有生命的存活,都是依賴臭氧層在此吸收紫外線來保護,免得它穿透人的皮膚,影響細胞內的遺傳基因,造成癌症。它分成有 A B C 三級,C 級最厲害,A 級可以使植物生長緩慢和生長強壯,對人類最有利。平流層裡的臭氧能將 C 級的 100% 吸收,吸收 95% 的 B 級,卻讓對人類有益的A級紫外光透過(p.147),何等奇妙!

我們平常聽來的,大氣層的破洞,是指科學家合成的氯氟化碳,因為廣泛地使用在冰箱的冷媒、染髮劑、洗衣粉裡,等等,它一旦揮發,其中的氯升到大氣層和臭氧結合,減少了大氣層裡臭氧的成分,就會影響到臭氧層攔截紫外線的能力,導至人類免疫力降低,患癌症人數增加,小孩更容易過敏,有些生物的活動也受影響,等等。第四層是對流層,原來大氣層裡 99% 的水蒸氣都在這裡,這些雲層是上空儲存雨水的水庫。對流層裡除了水蒸氣之外,還有氧、氮、氬、二氧化碳和氫等氣體的組合,各按比例供應人類的需要,也保護人類。這就是張教授所謂的"極高之處的保護"。這些資料只是書中的一點點分享,更多的奧妙自不在話下。

對大多數人而言,這些可能都是早已聽說過的知識,但是對我而言,卻好像剛剛領受的,宇宙另一方面的奧妙。神奇妙的手,在人不知道的時候,就已經為我們設下了重重的保護和恩典。讓我在仰望星空,欣賞大自然的美妙時,心裡又多了一重感恩和敬畏,並且有更深的讚美從心底升起,獻給那偉大而奇妙的神。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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