如何应对失望、痛苦和沮丧的讯息How to deal with disappointment,...

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如何应对失望、痛苦和沮丧的讯息

马太福音1:18 耶稣基督降生的事，记在下面。祂母亲马利亚已经许配了约瑟，还没有迎娶，马利亚就从圣灵怀了孕。  
1:19 他丈夫约瑟是个义人，不愿意明明的羞辱她，想要暗暗的把她休了。  
1:20 正思念这事的时候，有主的使者向他梦中显现，说：“大卫的子孙约瑟，不要怕，只管娶过你的妻子马利亚来。因她所怀的孕，是从圣灵来的。  
1:21 她将要生一个儿子，你要给祂起名叫耶稣，因祂要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来。  
1:22 这一切的事成就，是要应验主借先知所说的话说‘必有童女怀孕生子，人要称祂的名为以马内利。’”
1:24 约瑟醒了，起来就遵着主使者的吩咐，把妻子娶过来。  
1:25 只是没有和她同房，等她生了儿子就给他起名叫耶稣。

如果想找一个以智慧和神性来回应失望的例子，那么与马太福音相比，可能查找诗篇更为合适。可是，恰恰在新约的开章就讲到了，一个义人是如何应对痛苦和失望的讯息。

约瑟，主耶稣在地上的父亲，他是一个义人。这个敬虔的男人，想要一个能与他同样渴望荣耀和服从上帝的妻子，而圣经指明，玛利亚正是这样的女人。

（路加福音1:45 这相信的女子是有福的，因为主对她所说的话都要应验。
1:46 马利亚说：“我心尊主为大，  
1:47 我灵以 神我的救主为乐，  
1:48 因为祂顾念祂使女的卑微。从今以后，万代要称我有福。  
1:49 那有权能的为我成就了大事，祂的名为圣。  
1:50 祂怜悯敬畏祂的人，直到世世代代。  
1:51 祂用膀臂施展大能，那狂傲的人正心里妄想，就被祂赶散了。  
1:52 祂叫有权柄的失位、叫卑贱的升高；  
1:53 叫饥饿的得饱美食，叫富足的空手回去。  
1:54 祂扶助了祂的仆人以色列，  
1:55 为要记念亚伯拉罕和他的后裔，施怜悯直到永远，正如从前对我们列祖所说的话。”）

因此可以想象得到，当玛利亚探望亲戚伊丽莎白一段时间，回来后就告诉约瑟自己怀孕了，约瑟当时一定非常震惊，并且玛利亚还声称没有男人亲近她。

约瑟思想眼前的处境，无论怎样看都是严峻的。然而，马太福音1:20说，正思念这事的时候，有主的使者向他梦中显现，说：“大卫的子孙约瑟，不要怕，只管娶过你的妻子马利亚来。因她所怀的孕，是从圣灵来的。”换句话说，约瑟是要寻求一个智慧公义的回应。而上帝以让人惊叹的方式进入约瑟的生命，一方面证实了玛利亚的事件，同时也停止了他“暗地休妻”的计划。

上帝将约瑟的哀痛变为喜乐，而玛利亚道出了实质：如此地奇妙和惊奇。虽然这对夫妻要承受公众对未婚先孕的激烈谴责，但是约瑟不去顾虑别人会讲什么。上帝赐福约瑟所行的，让他在这个忠心的女人身边，一起抚养弥赛亚。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，面对沮丧，真基督徒应该寻求作出神性的回应。因为上帝一直都有祂的旨意（耶利米29:11 耶和华说：“我知道我向你们所怀的意念，是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望”），所以我们作出最有智慧的回应，就是以有行动的信心来期盼上帝运作的益处，并耐性等候祂的时间表。约瑟情愿“先求上帝的国”，上帝必定祝福他（马太福音6:33 你们要先求祂的国和祂的义，这些东西都要加给你们了）。

你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明。在你一切所行的事上都要认定祂，祂必指引你的路（箴言3:5-6）  

我留下平安给你们，我将我的平安赐给你们。我所赐的不像世人所赐的，你们心里不要忧愁，也不要胆怯（约翰福音14:27）

上帝要的是我们全心全意地寻求祂。当想到寻求上帝时，你发现自己会为什么事情求告祂？太多时候，我们寻求上帝是为了祂能给我们什么，而不是单纯地为了祂是上帝、为了我们能为祂做些什么而寻求祂！我现在的意思不是说我们不能为需求而求祂，事实上，祂希望供应我们一切所需，祂甚至想要丰盛地祝福我们，只是祂希望我们要以一个正确的出发点来求告祂。

我耶和华是鉴察人心、试验人肺腑的，要照各人所行的和他作事的结果报应他（耶利米17:10）

我们在历代志下注意到，所罗门作王时蒙了多么大的祝福（我鼓励你读历代志下第一章）。所罗门是全心全意地寻求上帝，当上帝问他想求什么时，所罗门的心向着上帝，谦卑地求智慧，好使他作王统治时能按照上帝的心意来带领国民。所罗门没有求财富或名望，而是符合上帝的心意而求。上帝荣耀了所罗门，因为所罗门的谦卑，他不仅得到了上帝的智慧，连他未求的也得到了。当我们以谦卑的心并想上帝所想地来到祂跟前时，即使我们没有求祂，祂的祝福也会自然地倾入我们的生命！

求你赐我智慧聪明，我好在这民前出入。不然，谁能判断这众多的民呢？（历代志下1:10）   

你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人，也不斥责人的 神，主就必赐给他（雅各1:5）

如果你不知道怎样想上帝所想，那么你首先要祈求上帝赐给你一颗渴望懂得祂心意的心。多读上帝的话语、多用时间亲近上帝，这会帮助你长成一颗跟从上帝和祂旨意的心，而不是自己的心。这样去做，我们就会开始遵照圣灵而行，多行上帝的教导、少行属世的欲望；我们不再满足于短暂的事物，我们渴求的都是永恒的事。

你们既然接受了主基督耶稣，就当遵祂而行。在祂里面生根建造、信心坚固，正如你们所领的教训，感谢的心也更增长了（歌罗西2:6 -7）

但愿赐平安的 神，就是那凭永约之血使群羊的大牧人我主耶稣从死里复活的 神，在各样善事上成全你们，叫你们遵行祂的旨意，又借着耶稣基督在你们心里行祂所喜悦的事。愿荣耀归给祂，直到永永远远。阿们（希伯来13:20-21）

上帝深切地照顾着我们，祂知道我们需要什么，祂为我们所预备的，甚至我们可能都不知道。当我们懂得按照上帝的心意来求告祂时，就会发现自己比任何时候都更平安。从我们的品性将反射出上帝的品性，那么别人就会想知道我们为何会与众不同。作为真基督徒，我们是上帝的器皿，能够有助于向别人显明一个喜乐、平安和满足的生命，就是我们用整个生命侍奉和信靠上帝所得到的。上帝是一位美善的上帝！寻求祂，那么任何益处你都不会缺乏！（诗篇34:10）

How to deal with disappointment, painful and disheartening news.

Matthew 1: Joseph Accepts JESUS as His SON

18 This is how the birth of JESUS the MESSIAH came about: HIS mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the HOLY SPIRIT. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the HOLY SPIRIT. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name JESUS, because HE will save HIS people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfil what the LORD had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him IMMANUEL” (which means “GOD with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave HIM the name JESUS.

To find examples of wise, godly reactions to disappointment, you’re more likely to turn to Psalms than to Matthew. But the very first chapter in the New Testament tells the story of an upright man’s reaction to painful and disheartening news.

Joseph—JESUS’ earthly father—was a righteous person. A godly man wants a wife who shares his desire to honour and obey the LORD, and Scripture indicates that Mary was exactly that sort of woman (Luke 1: 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the LORD would fulfil HIS promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the LORD
47 and my spirit rejoices in GOD my SAVIOUR,
48 for HE has been mindful
     of the humble state of HIS servant.
    From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49  for the MIGHTY ONE has done great things for me—
    holy is HIS name.
50 HIS mercy extends to those who fear HIM,
     from generation to generation.
51 HE has performed mighty deeds with HIS arm;
    HE has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 HE has brought down rulers from their thrones
     but has lifted up the humble.
53 HE has filled the hungry with good things
     but has sent the rich away empty.
54 HE has helped HIS servant Israel,
     remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
     just as he promised our ancestors.”)
  
So imagine how stunned Joseph must have been when Mary returned from a long visit with her relative Elizabeth and told him that she was pregnant. Moreover, she was claiming no man had touched her.

Any way Joseph looked at the situation, it appeared grim. And yet Matthew 1: (20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the HOLY SPIRIT.)—in other words, he sought a wise, righteous response. GOD entered Joseph’s life in a dramatic way to confirm Mary’s story and put a stop to his “quiet annulment” plans.

The LORD turned Joseph’s mourning into joy. Mary had told the truth—strange and startling as it was. The couple would bear the intense public censure of an early pregnancy, but Joseph stopped thinking about what others would say. GOD had blessed work for him: to raise the Messiah alongside a faithful woman.


Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Followers of CHRIST should seek a godly response to disappointments we face. Since the LORD always has a plan (Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.), the wisest reaction is to anticipate the good HE can do and await HIS timing. GOD certainly blessed Joseph for his willingness to “seek first HIS kingdom” (Matt. 6: 33 But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.).

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

“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

GOD desires for our hearts to be committed to seeking HIM. But when you think about seeking the LORD, what kinds of things do you find yourself saying to HIM or asking of HIM? Often times, we may seek GOD for what HE can give us instead of simply seeking HIM for being GOD and what we can do for HIM! Now this doesn’t mean we can’t ask HIM for what we need. HE does want to provide for us and HE even longs to bless us abundantly, but HE wants us to have the right motives when we ask of HIM.

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” –Jeremiah 17:10

In 2 Chronicles, we note how blessed Solomon was as a king. (I encourage you to read all of 2 Chronicles 1) He sought GOD with all of his heart, and when GOD told him to ask whatever he wished, Solomon’s heart was right towards GOD and he humbly asked for GOD’s wisdom, that he would lead the people in the ways of GOD as he reigned as king. Solomon didn’t ask for riches or for fame, but instead asked for the very heart of GOD. GOD honoured him and because of Solomon’s humility, he was not only given GOD’s wisdom, but was also given those things he did not ask for. When we come to GOD with a humble heart and desire the things HE desires, HIS blessings will naturally begin to flow into our lives without us even having to ask HIM!

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” -2 Chronicles 1:10

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask GOD, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” –James 1:5

If you have trouble with desiring the things of GOD, the first step is to ask HIM to give you the desire to desire HIS heart. HIS will! Reading HIS WORD and spending time in HIS presence will help us to develop a heart after HIM and HIS desires instead of our own. We will begin to walk in the spirit, going after the things of GOD, and going less after worldly desires. We will no longer be satisfied by temporary things but will desire things that are eternal.

“So then, just as you received CHRIST JESUS as LORD, continues to live in HIM, rooted and built up in HIM, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” –Colossians 2:6-7

“May the GOD of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our LORD JESUS, that great SHEPHERD of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing HIS will, and may HE work in us what is pleasing to HIM, through JESUS CHRIST, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” –Hebrews 13:20-21

GOD cares deeply for us, and HE knows what we need, even if we may not know how HE will provide it. When we learn to ask GOD for the things on HIS heart, we will find ourselves more at peace than we ever were before. Our character will reflect GOD’s character and others will want to know what is different about us. As true Christians, we are carriers of GOD’s presence and we can help show others the joy, peace, and satisfaction there is in serving GOD and trusting HIM with our lives. HE is a good GOD! Seek HIM and you will lack no good thing!

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若得救“只凭信心”，那撒旦能得救吗？

问：约翰福音3:16写明：“ 神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的不至灭亡，反得永生。”那么撒旦也信上帝，跟从撒旦者们也信上帝，他们会灭亡吗？会，他们会灭亡。这节经文表达的主旨是：如果你信上帝，那么你就能进天国。可是其他经文也指出：一个人要得救，不单要信上帝，还要相应地活出信靠上帝的生命，就是要完完全全地献出自己，惟独服从上帝。所以关于得救，我困惑了。

答：你好，你问的问题很好。请注意，当主耶稣在约翰福音3:16说“凡信祂的人不至灭亡，反得永生”时，祂不是说“单单信的人……就不灭亡”。现今，很多宗教团体断言：你要做的就是“相信”，只要有信心，你立刻就得救了，你不用去做任何悔改、服从上帝的事情。但是，新约却不是这样教导的。事实上，雅各书第2章里有决定性的结论：“单靠信心”不足以得救。

我的弟兄们，若有人说自己有信心，却没有行为，有甚么益处呢？这信心能救他吗？（雅各2:14）  

在讨论中，雅各直接提出问题：一个声称对上帝有信心的人，却不服从上帝，他怎能仍旧是得救的呢？然而，为了避开这个问题，有的宗教人士否认雅各是在讲得救。事实上，他们应该把这节的重点放在“得救”，即“这信心能救他吗？”所以雅各在这里确是在讲得救的问题。

若是弟兄或是姐妹，赤身露体，又缺了日用的饮食，你们中间有人对他们说：“平平安安的去吧，愿你们穿得暖吃得饱”，却不给他们身体所需用的，这有甚么益处呢？这样，信心若没有行为就是死的（雅各2:15-17）

接下来，雅各通过举例，阐明“单凭信心得救”的谬论：有些人对有所需求的人有善意，却没有实际行动，那么他的善意就毫无意义。由此，雅各得出结论:

这样，信心若没有行为就是死的（雅各2:17）

必有人说：“你有信心，我有行为。你将你没有行为的信心指给我看，我便借着我的行为，将我的信心指给你看。”（雅各2:18）   

雅各论到这个人，认为把信心与行为分开还能被上帝悦纳。然而，“得救只凭无行为的信心”与“得救凭无信心的行为”一样，都是错误的观念。信心与行为同是得救的必需。所以雅各提出一个挑战：“你将你没有行为的信心指给我看（这是无法做到的），我便借着我的行为，将我的信心指给你看。”雅各明白，他对上帝的真信心是通过行出上帝的命令证明的。

你信 神只有一位，你信的不错；鬼魔也信，却是战惊。虚浮的人哪，你愿意知道没有行为的信心是死的么？（雅各2:19-20）   

在19节，雅各直接回答了你的问题：魔鬼也信 神，但他们不能得救。因为魔鬼与他的党羽肯定相信基督，但是他们明显是不服从基督，所以他们都是失丧的。因此，任何一个只有信心没有更进一步服从上帝的人，也是失丧的。

虚浮的人哪，你愿意知道没有行为的信心是死的么？（雅各2:20）   

我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕，把他儿子以撒献在坛上，岂不是因行为称义么？可见信心是与他的行为并行，而且信心因着行为才得成全。这就应验经上所说“亚伯拉罕信 神，这就算为他的义”，他又得称为 神的朋友。这样看来，人称义是因着行为，不是单因着信。妓女喇合接待使者，又放他们从别的路上出去，不也是一样因行为称义么？（雅各2:21-25）

雅各举出例子，证明“如何行出上帝的吩咐，是真信心的重要部分”。亚伯拉罕服从上帝，是通过把以撒献为祭的、出于信心的行为（创世纪22:1-19）；证明喇合的信心，也是通过她保护了约书亚的密探（约书亚2:1-24; 6:25）。关于亚伯拉罕服从上帝的行为，雅各说：“可见信心是与他的行为并行，而且信心因着行为才得成全”（雅各2:22）

只有亚伯拉罕听从了上帝的吩咐之后，才能说他实实在在地“信 神，这就算为他的义”（雅各2:23）

身体没有灵魂是死的，信心没有行为也是死的（雅各2:26）

我们能容易地分辨活的和死的。一个肉身，若没有灵在里面，那这个身体仍是死的，不能做任何事情。但是，当灵居住于肉身，这个身体明显就是活的。同样地，信心没有行为就是死的，有行为的信心就是活信心。那么，你的信心是哪一种呢？

结论

当然，信奉基督是得救的决对必需，这是主耶稣在约翰福音3:16里强调的重点。但是，接下来，真信心还要持续服从主基督，这是雅各在雅各书2:14-26里强调的重点。这两节的信息并不矛盾，都是教导得救的重要事实。


研经：雅各2:14-26

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS:

If "Faith Alone" saves, will Satan be saved?

QUESTION: John 3:16 states that "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in HIM, shall not perish but have eternal life." Well, Satan believes in GOD; Satanists believe in GOD. Do they perish? Yes, they do. This verse basically states that if you believe in GOD, you'll go to Heaven. Yet the Bible also indicates that one must live a life accordingly, and that you have to be devoted. I'm confused.

ANSWER: Hi! You ask an excellent question. When says JESUS in John 3:16 "whoever believes in Him shall not perish," notice that he didn't say "whoever believes 'ONLY’...shall not perish." Many religious groups today affirm that all you have to do is "believe only" and you are saved at the very first instant of faith without ever having to do anything else. The New Testament doesn't teach this. In fact, James chapter 2 shows conclusively that "faith alone" is insufficient to save.

James 2:14 "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?"

James directly poses the question under discussion: Can a person claim faith yet not obey GOD and still be saved? In order to avoid the question, some denominational people deny that James is talking about salvation here. They should underline the word "save" in the verse: "Can faith save him?" James is indeed talking about salvation.

James 2: 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Next, he illustrates the absurdity of "faith only" by showing how pointless it is for someone to have good will toward a person in need, yet to do nothing for him. He concludes from his illustration:

" In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead " (2:17)

James 2:18 "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

James deals with the person who still thinks he can separate faith from works and be pleasing to GOD. It's just as wrong to think "salvation is by faith without works" as it is to think "salvation is by works without faith." Both faith and works are necessary to be saved. James offers a challenge: "Show me your faith without your works," which is an impossibility. "..and I will show you my faith by my works." James understood that his own true faith was demonstrated by doing the works GOD commanded.


James 2: 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

In verse 19, James directly answers your question: demons believe but they are not saved. The devil and his demons most certainly believe in Christ, but they obviously don't obey Him. Therefore they are lost. Anyone else who has faith alone without further obedience will also be lost.

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (2:20)

James 2: 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

James offers examples of how doing the works of GOD is an important part of real faith. Abraham obeyed GOD by his offering of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19). Rahab was justified by works when she protected Joshua's spies (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:25). About Abraham's act of obedience, James says:

"Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?" (2:22)

Only after Abraham heeded the voice of God was it said that he truly "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (2:23)

James 2:26"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"

We can easily distinguish between the living and the dead. A body that is physically dead is still and does nothing without a spirit inside it. But while the spirit still resides in the body, it is evident that the body is alive. Likewise, faith without works is a dead faith. Faith with works is a living faith. What kind of faith do you have?

Conclusion

Yes, belief in Christ is absolutely necessary to be saved, and that's JESUS' emphasis in John 3:16. But then true faith continues to obey CHRIST as LORD, and that's James' emphasis in James 2:14-26. The passages don't contradict. They both teach important facts about salvation. James 2:14-26. The passages don't contradict. They both teach important facts about salvation.

Scripture study James 2:14-26

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等候祷告的回应

我们的心向来等候耶和华，祂是我们的帮助、我们的盾牌。我们的心必靠祂欢喜，因为我们向来倚靠祂的圣名。耶和华啊，求你照着我们所仰望你的，向我们施行慈爱（诗篇33:20-22）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，圣经表明得非常清楚，我们的天父会垂听并回应我们的祷告。然而，我们都经历过这样的时候，就是虽然我们祷告，希望上帝立刻采取行动，但是祂没有这么做。那么上帝是因为什么而延迟回应我们呢？

有的时候，是因为上帝看到了我们的专注点是错误的。任何时候，我们都应该把与上帝的关系放在首位，超越任何属世的事情（马可福音12:30 你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的 神）。然而，当我们把思想和祷告专注在某个需求上时，我们专注的焦点就转离了上帝。天父可能直至我们重新专注祂，祂才回应我们的祷告。而另一种情况，上帝等待，没有恩准我们的请求，是因为时间不对。可能某些事情必须先发生，或人的思想需要改变。

上帝延迟回应也有这样的原因，就是要使我们的信心坚固和成长。达到这个目的的方法之一，就是让我们耐性等候祂的回应。在我们等候的时间里，圣灵会运作在我们的生命中，带领我们的灵命达到成熟，并且结出义的果实（加拉太5:22-23 圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制，这样的事，没有律法禁止）。

当然，还有其他的原因，就是我们请求的出发点是错误的（雅各4:3 你们求也得不着，是因为你们妄求，要浪费在你们的宴乐中），并且我们仍是习惯性地犯罪。当然，以上帝的圣洁来衡量，我们都是不足的，但是我们中有的人却仍然固执地活在不服从上帝的生活方式中。上帝会提示我们悔改自己的罪而回归祂，所以祂会延迟回应。

等候上帝不是一件容易的事情，需要我们相信并信靠祂（希伯来11:1 信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据）。如果上帝的回应延迟了，那么你要省察：1）确定你是专注于上帝；2）你祈求的出发点是为了祂的荣耀；3）你没有再习惯性地犯罪（不服从上帝）。若你都做到了，那么你要相信，上帝的回应必是会为了你的益处和祂的荣耀。

Waiting for Answers to Prayers

Psalm 33:

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
    HE is our help and our shield.
21 In HIM our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in HIS holy name.
22 May YOUR unfailing love be with us, LORD,
    even as we put our hope in YOU.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly FATHER hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for GOD to act right away, HE does not. What are some of the reasons for the delay?

At times the LORD sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with HIM should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12: 30 Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from HIM. The FATHER may delay HIS answer until we refocus on HIM. In other situations, GOD waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.

There are also seasons when the LORD wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways HE accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The HOLY SPIRIT will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5: 22 But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.).


Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4: 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to GOD’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyle of disobedience. The LORD may delay HIS answer so HE can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to HIM.

Waiting on the LORD isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11: 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.). If HIS answer is delayed, check that 1) Make sure your focus is on HIM, 2) your motive for asking is GOD-honouring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that HIS response will be for your good and HIS glory.

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渴慕上帝

诗篇63:1 神阿，你是我的 神，我要切切的寻求你；在干旱疲乏无水之地，我渴想你、我的心切慕你。  
63:2 我在圣所中曾如此瞻仰你，为要见你的能力和你的荣耀。  
63:3 因你的慈爱比生命更好，我的嘴唇要颂赞你。  
63:4 我还活的时候要这样称颂你，我要奉你的名举手。  
63:5-6 我在床上记念你、在夜更的时候思想你，我的心就像饱足了骨髓肥油。我也要以欢乐的嘴唇赞美你，  
63:7 因为你曾帮助我，我就在你翅膀的荫下欢呼。  
63:8 我心紧紧的跟随你，你的右手扶持我。  

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，透过耶稣基督，我们与上帝的关系才有可能更加亲近、心灵才能真正得到满足，这是任何属世的关系无法做到的。大卫王在诗篇63章里记下了他的经验，而我们的天父也希望与我们有一个充满爱的联合，就像祂与大卫一样。

作出认识上帝的坚定承诺是第一步，将认识上帝放在一切事物的首要位置。大卫描述，他是热切地要认识上帝，是强烈地渴望（63:1）；而使徒保罗将他献身紧紧追随上帝，比作全力以赴地直奔前面的赛程（希伯来12:1-2 我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程；仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣，祂因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在 神宝座的右边）。当我们承诺将自己完全降服于基督的主权，并全心全意地寻求祂时，就会发现自己的心灵得到满足了。

一旦我们决志要殷勤地跟从上帝，那么下一步就是多用时间专注上帝的话语。圣经是上帝的自我启示和对世人的旨意，多用时间阅读和默想圣经，这是每个基督徒必要去做的。我们从中学习怎样认识上帝、祂是如何运作的、祂对我们和基督身体（教会）的希望是什么……，当我们竭力要认识和懂得经意时，圣灵就会带领我们，在适当的时候，将其含义启示在我们的生命中。那些立定心志把加深与上帝的关系作为生命目标的真基督徒，是蒙上帝悦纳的。

A Thirst for GOD

Psalm 63: 1 You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A personal relationship with GOD through JESUS CHRIST has the potential to be more intimately satisfying than any earthly connection. King David recorded his experience in Psalm 63. Our heavenly FATHER wants to have a loving bond with us just as HE did with David.

Making a firm commitment to know HIM is the first step, which takes priority above all other matters. David described his passion to know GOD as an intense thirst (v. 1); the apostle Paul likened his dedication in pursuing the LORD to a race (Heb. 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before HIM HE endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.). When we pledge ourselves to the lordship of CHRIST and seek after HIM with our hearts and minds, we will find our souls becoming satisfied.

Once we resolve to follow diligently after the LORD, our next step is to spend time in HIS WORD. The Bible is GOD’s revelation of HIMSELF and HIS plan for the world. Making time to read and meditate on Scripture is essential for every believer. That’s how we learn who GOD is, how HE works, and what HE desires for us and for the body of CHRIST, when we strive to know and understand a biblical passage, the HOLY SPIRIT will make the meaning spring to life. GOD is pleased by true followers who make it their goal to deepen their relationship with HIM.