从迷惘到信靠
只是凡人
经文
哈巴谷书三16
16我听见耶和华的声音,身体战兢,嘴唇发颤,骨中朽烂;我在所立之处战兢。我只可安静等候灾难之日临到,犯境之民上来。
信息分享
我们在这几天的讨论中看到,哈巴谷先知曾回想和诵读出许多关于神的力量和能力的事情,但今天我们看到他竟然落入经文所描述的状况中,这似乎有点奇怪。《当代圣经》(The Living Bible)把这一节经文翻译为:「我听见你这些威荣的事迹就全身发抖,嘴唇打颤,筋骨痲痹;但我要静候灾难的日子临到进犯的敌人身上。」
如果我们的思想真的会大大影响我们的感受,那为甚么在思念那么多美好的事情后,哈巴谷还会有那样的感受?我相信答案是:虽然思念神的良善是一个可靠的方法来应付恐惧,并且能给我们带来正面的感受,但不会完全除去负面的情绪。
明白这一点是十分重要的。有些人说,我们一旦成了基督徒,就永远不会经历任何负面或不安的感受。这样的说法是不正确的。基督教信仰从来没有应许我们说,作为基督徒,就永远不需要面对负面的情绪,但却有应许我们说,那些负面的情绪是能够应付也可以控制的。神让哈巴谷来到一个能十分清楚地看见一切处境的位置,但当他想到犹大即将有的麻烦时,便好像叶子一样颤抖。不过我们也要留意,哈巴谷的情绪尽管激动,他却没有被情绪淹没。因此,当你遇到这种情况的时候,不要认为自己欠缺信心。就像哈巴谷一样,你毕竟只是凡人。
「他的情绪尽管激动,他却没有被情绪淹没」
进深研究
腓二1-13;林前二3;林后七15
1. 我们当如何追求得救?
2. 保罗承认自己有甚么感受?
祈祷
主啊,感谢您提醒我恐惧和颤抖并不能消灭我的信心,它们只是在提醒我,我不过是人。求您帮助我明白这一点,不要被情绪淹没。奉耶稣的名祈求,阿们。
From Confusion to Confidence
On being human
Bible reading:
Habakkuk 3:16
16 I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
Message
It seems strange that after recalling and reciting so many of the facts relating to God's strength and power, Habakkuk should be in the state we see him in at the moment. The Living Bible puts it thus: "I tremble when I hear all this, my lips quiver with fear. My legs give way beneath me and I shake in terror. I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon the people who invade us."
If it is true that what we think about greatly influences the way we feel, then why, after focusing on such a catalogue of good things, does Habakkuk feel the way he does? The answer, I believe, is this: although calling to mind God's goodness is a proven and reliable method of dealing with fear and producing positive feelings within us, it does not completely eliminate all negative emotions.
It is terribly important that we understand this. Some preach that once we become Christians, we need never experience any negative or uncomfortable feelings. That simply is not so. The Christian faith does not promise us that once we become Christians we will never again experience negative emotions, but it does promise that the negative emotions will be manageable and brought under control. Habakkuk has been brought to the place where he sees everything perfectly clearly, but as he contemplates the trouble that is coming upon Judah, he trembles like a leaf. We should note, however, that though he feels strong emotions, he is not overcome by them. If this ever happens to you, don't see it as a lack of faith. Like Habakkuk, you are simply being human.
"Though he feels strong emotions he is not overcome by them"
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that fear and trembling do not cancel out my faith, but serve as a reminder of my humanity. Help me to understand this and not be overwhelmed by it. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Further study
Philippians 2:1-13
1 Corinthians 2:3
2 Corinthians 7:15
1. How are we to work out our salvation?
2. What feelings did Paul admit to?
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