從迷惘到信靠
神的沉默
經文
耶利米書十四1-9
1耶和華論到乾旱之災的話臨到耶利米：
2猶大悲哀，城門衰敗。眾人披上黑衣坐在地上；耶路撒冷的哀聲上達。
3他們的貴冑打發家僮打水；他們來到水池，見沒有水，就拿著空器皿，蒙羞慚愧，抱頭而回。
4耕地的也蒙羞抱頭；因為無雨降在地上，地都乾裂。
5田野的母鹿生下小鹿，就撇棄，因為無草。
6野驢站在淨光的高處，喘氣好像野狗；因為無草，眼目失明。
7耶和華啊，我們的罪孽雖然作見證告我們，還求你為你名的緣故行事。我們本是多次背道，得罪了你。
8以色列所盼望、在患難時作他救主的啊，你為何在這地像寄居的，又像行路的只住一宵呢？
9你為何像受驚的人，像不能救人的勇士呢？耶和華啊，你仍在我們中間；我們也稱為你名下的人，求你不要離開我們。
信息分享
接著，我們會探討「從迷惘走到信靠」所必須採取的第三個步驟，在這之前，我們得先花一點時間來研討一個問題：哈巴谷極度迷惘的原因是甚麼？原因是有幾個，但最主要是神似乎沒有興趣回應他的禱告：「耶和華啊，我呼求你，你不應允，要到幾時呢？我因強暴哀求你，你還不拯救」（哈一2）。
沒有甚麼迷惘比我們稱為「得不到回應的禱告」所帶來的迷惘更大，特別是當我們知道我們祈求的事是符合神的旨意的時候。此刻正在閱讀這篇訊息的一些讀者可能正身處這樣的境況。你為了神應許會賜下的事情祈求，可是得不到神的回應。
大家最常向我提出的問題是：「我知道自己根據神的旨意祈求時，為甚麼神不應允我的禱告？」有時神好像出奇的沉默和安靜。如果你的生命此刻正在經歷「神的沉默」，你就會同情哈巴谷的感受了。我們要是說其他人也有你同樣的感受，這樣的話可能幫不了你甚麼，但那是真確存在的一種情況。
「其他人也有與你相同的感受」
進深研究
約十一1-44；詩五十五1-2，七十七9
1. 耶穌接到那兩姊妹的請求時，發生甚麼事？
2. 馬大怎樣看這事？
祈禱
天父，求您幫助我，在屬靈生命經歷靜默時找到安慰，知道其他人也經歷過同樣的處境，而且我也能夠跟他們一樣有所領悟。感謝您，親愛的天父。阿們。
From Confusion to Confidence
"The silences of God"
Bible reading:
Jeremiah 14:1-9
1 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
2 "Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
3 The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.
4 The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.
5 Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.
6 Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food."
7 Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.
8 You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?
9 Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
Message
Before moving on to examine the third step we must take if we are to move , we must spend a day on the question: What was the cause of Habakkuk's deep inner confusion? There were several reasons for it, but the major one was the fact that God did not appear to be interested in answering his prayer: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 'Violence!' but you do not save?" (Hab. 1:2).
No confusion can be greater than that which comes through what we call "unanswered prayer" - especially when we know that what we are praying for is according to the divine will. Some of you who are reading this may be in that very situation. You have prayed for things that God has promised to give - but still the answers do not come.
The question I am asked more than any other is this: "Why has God not answered my prayer when I know I am praying according to His will?" Teresa of Avila is reported to have told God on one occasion when she did not receive an answer to a prayer which she knew to be in line with the divine will: "Lord, it's no wonder You have so few friends if You treat them all this way." How strangely silent and inactive God appears to be at times. If you are experiencing the "silence of God" at this moment in your life, then you will have some sympathy for the way Habakkuk felt. It may not be much help to say that others have felt the way you feel - but it is true nevertheless.
"Others have felt the way you feel"
Prayer
Father, help me to find comfort in the time of spiritual silence in knowing that others have passed this way too. They have come through to insight and understanding - so will 1. Thank You, dear Father. Amen.
Further study
John 11:1-44
Psalm 55:1-2; 77:9
1. What happened when Jesus received the sisters' request?
2. How did Martha view this?
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