Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 7 月【牧者抒懷】噢!加拿大!

【牧者抒懷】噢!加拿大!

 

 HeadLine 1507 1A Act

 

六月底香港政改方案終於戲劇性地以 8 比 28 被否決,帶來一片混亂!七月加拿大慶祝國慶,美國也慶祝國慶,讓我想起提摩太前書 2章1-2節:「我勸你,第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝; 為君王和一切在位的,也該如此,使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事的度日。」這裏所說的「君王」,是眾數,不只是我們自己國家的總理,還有其他國家的總統、總理、皇帝、皇后、首相等,以及一切在位的包括所有執政掌權的。

保羅寫這封書信的時候,當時羅馬帝國的君王是尼祿 (Nero),他對基督徒極不友善,後來更變本加厲,大肆迫害基督徒。主後六十四年,羅馬城發生一場大火,幾乎全城被火燒燬;尼祿為了解除民怨,就以住在羅馬城的基督徒作為代罪羔羊,嫁禍給他們。試問,一個這樣的君王,你又怎可以為他禱告?聖經卻教導我們要!

當我們說「為君王和一切在位的」禱告,是表示無論他們是多好抑或多壞,無論他們是屬於任何一個政黨,不只是與你政見相同的政黨;無論你認為他們是多道德,抑或多麼的不道德;無論你覺得他們多麼的公義,以及不公義;我們都要為他們禱告,因為是神容許他們在高位上面的。羅13:1說:「在上有權柄的,人人當順服他,因為沒有權柄不是出於神的。凡掌權的都是神所命的。」

所以,我們不單只是為哈柏禱告,也為奧巴馬、為習近平、為梁振英禱告。我們為這些作元首的,以及所有政府中在位掌權的禱告,求神賜他們智慧和能力,能夠以本著神的原則,照著神的恩典,治理國家,善待人民,使全國上下都能更多討神喜悅,蒙神祝福。作為信徒,我們為國家執政掌權者代禱,就等於承認真正掌握國家權柄的是我們的神,而不是這班人,不是這地上的政府。

曾經在美國參議院擔任牧師的 Edward Hale,有一日被人問起:「你是否見到國家現在的狀況,令到你為這班參議員禱告呢?」他回答話:「剛好相反,我是見到這班參議員的狀況,就不得不為國家禱告!」我們不要被荒誕的政治把戲所迷惑,也不要被包著糖衣的政治手段所吸引,我們要切切實實的為國家禱告!見到人性的敗壞,我們不得不為國家禱告!

先不說那些不認識神的國家,我們看看以基督教立國的美國。想當年,一七七六年六月,亞當斯、富蘭克林、傑佛遜、李文斯頓、謝爾曼所組成的五人小組 (The Committee of Five) ,將草擬的獨立宣言上呈大陸政府。在會議之中,人人各持己見,個個各執一詞。最後富蘭克林站起來,對各人說:「各位,若果我們這位神連野地裏的草都裝飾的話,祂不會讓我們的分歧延續下去的!讓我們一起去尋求祂的面吧!」於是五十六位當年有份在獨立宣言簽署的代表,都紛紛跪下來,一齊禱告神、尋問神!多美麗的一幅圖畫,現在呢?二百多年後的今天又怎樣呢?

在普遍的北美大氣候底下,在很多不同的政府機構、公共設施,尤其是在美國,有很多團體都很積極地努力,想將神的名除去,他們甚至想將紙幣上「In God We Trust」的字句都除去!在加拿大呢?我移民二十多年,政府也易手多次,記憶之中就只有總理哈柏在競選的勝利演說之中有感謝神,以及有為國家向神祝禱,願神賜福加拿大(May God Bless Canada)!

願神賜福加拿大!不知道讀者有沒有留意國歌的歌詞?這首歌在1980年正式被認可,但是早在 1880 年開始已經唱,歌詞裏面很清楚:「噢!加拿大!我的家,我的祖國!在你子民的帶領下彰顯我們愛國的情操。帶著熾熱的心我見到你強大,這國家強盛與自由!不管多遠或多闊,噢!加拿大!我們站起來保衛你!願神保護我們的國土,God keep our land glorious and free!讓我們發放光芒與自由!噢!加拿大!我們站起來保衛你!噢!加拿大!我們站起來保衛你!」神,一直是在這裏!在這個國家之中,這是我們的福份。

噢!加拿大!我們盼望這個國家不只是在國歌裏,在字裏行間才找到神;在政策上,在處理危機上,在國會休會期間,都找到神。一切從禱告開始,一切從我們每一個禱告開始,我們要為國家禱告,為國家團結禱告,為總理哈柏禱告,為總督禱告,為政黨政團的黨領禱告,為每個國會議員的心禱告,為傳媒公平、公正地報導禱告,求神將這困境扭轉成為祝福,求神的榮光照遍楓葉國!也照遍大地!

 

      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

Go to top