Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 2 月【開卷有益】 充滿喜樂和盼望的旅客

【開卷有益】 充滿喜樂和盼望的旅客

 

book溫哥華屢次被評選為世界上最適宜人居住的城市,在這裡的市民有幸每天享受著得天獨厚、溫和適中的氣候,份外清新的空氣,寬敞寧靜的居住環境,駕車自由隨意往來、暢通無阻,享譽盛名的特色美食,還有琳瑯滿目的各式衣物、日常用品一應俱全、不虞匱乏。不免感歎在此間生活真好,幾乎接近無憂無慮、養尊處優的境界。

誰會想過離開這個安舒區,去接受新的任務和挑戰?在人生的旅途上,並非時常處於風光明媚、安逸舒適的境況,有時也難免會遇到驟雨急降、荊棘滿途的險阻。《喜樂流放者-後現代的門徒生活》(Joyful Exiles: Life in Christ on the Dangerous Edge of Things)一書作者侯士庭(James M. Houston)是加拿大維真學院(Regent College)的創辦人,他在書中為讀者揭示:走過人生中的崎嶇險徑之後,回過頭來,才知道透過艱難的歲月,成就了意想不到的任務,為自己和別人帶來更美好、更豐盛的祝福。

侯士庭帶領我們細看多個聖經人物的一生,經歷了驚心動魄的高低起跌後,展現了從未想過的精彩人生,活出生命原有的價值與光芒,真是不枉此生。

約瑟天生俊美,原本是父親膝下的寵兒,在家中驕生慣養,一切粗活都有十個哥哥代勞。長此以往,在如此愜意的環境之下生活,成就有多大,可想而知。然而,上帝卻匠心獨運地去塑造每個人的生命。約瑟被哥哥們妒忌、丟棄,甚至被賣作奴隸,離開了一向舒適安穩的安樂窩,開始人生中一段艱苦的流放旅程。嚐盡了被人誣陷、監禁、被人遺忘的孤單絕境,上帝卻輾轉讓他成為一人之下、萬人之上埃及宰相。

困苦的日子雖然不堪回首,可是約瑟並沒有心存苦澀、沒有懷抱怨恨,也沒有伺機報復。他反而體會上帝的心意原是好的。就是憑藉他的坎坷遭遇,才得以貴為埃及文明古國的宰相,一家人的生活最終得到照顧和保障,以色列和埃及兩個民族也免受饑荒的蹂躪。一己的受苦,帶來多重的好處和福祉,又豈是當初可以逆料得到的!

被認為是以色列最偉大的領袖摩西,在人生旅途上也曾經進入流放的生涯。雖然生於民族被壓迫的時代,在家庭之中仍然備受呵護,父母疼愛、兄姊守護,更得埃及公主破例撫養,不但避過災刧,更有機會接受埃及皇宮文明文化的薰陶,成為一等一的人才。正值四十歲精壯之年,卻因抱打不平,背上誤殺罪名,迫於無奈,遠走他方。四十年在曠野荒漠之間牧羊,滿懷雄心壯志、英雄氣概盡都磨滅於刻板平淡生活之中。

直至上帝的召喚忽然來到,摩西被委以重任,受託帶領以色列人脫離埃及的苦待與轄制,走向迦南美地,建立自己的家園。回顧往昔,沒有這四十年流放的日子,摩西決不可能成為世上最謙和的領袖,也因此改寫了以色列民族的歷史。上帝一方面模造一個人的生命;另一方面,上帝子民的民族發展進程也同時在祂的掌握之中。

無論我們多麼享受目前舒適的生活,我們心裡都非常明白,人生有如客旅,不會在此久留,因此今生擁有、成敗、得失,不必過份介懷與執著。旅途上天朗氣清、美景醉人,固然可喜可賀;一旦遇上挫折變遷,也無須驚惶失措。

除了約瑟和摩西之外,聖經裡還有很多大人物、小人物的故事,正要提醒二十一世紀耶穌基督的跟隨者:有時生命進入一個流放的旅程,絕對不是一件壞事。攀過困難的高山,可以鍛鍊出無比的勇氣與毅力;越過刺傷人的荊棘,可以培育出柔和寬恕的品格;撥開似是而非的文化迷霧,可以更堅定地持守真理;在冷漠的低谷之中走出來,更能成為一個真真正正有思想、有感情的人。

上帝今天也向你發出邀請,離開你的安舒區,暫時放下你的擁有,與祂同走一趟心靈流放旅程。作為天國子民,來到地上做個充滿喜樂和盼望的客旅。

 

      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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