从迷惘到信靠
神的沉默
经文
耶利米书十四1-9
1耶和华论到干旱之灾的话临到耶利米：
2犹大悲哀，城门衰败。众人披上黑衣坐在地上；耶路撒冷的哀声上达。
3他们的贵胄打发家僮打水；他们来到水池，见没有水，就拿着空器皿，蒙羞惭愧，抱头而回。
4耕地的也蒙羞抱头；因为无雨降在地上，地都干裂。
5田野的母鹿生下小鹿，就撇弃，因为无草。
6野驴站在净光的高处，喘气好像野狗；因为无草，眼目失明。
7耶和华啊，我们的罪孽虽然作见证告我们，还求你为你名的缘故行事。我们本是多次背道，得罪了你。
8以色列所盼望、在患难时作他救主的啊，你为何在这地像寄居的，又像行路的只住一宵呢？
9你为何像受惊的人，像不能救人的勇士呢？耶和华啊，你仍在我们中间；我们也称为你名下的人，求你不要离开我们。
信息分享
接着，我们会探讨「从迷惘走到信靠」所必须采取的第三个步骤，在这之前，我们得先花一点时间来研讨一个问题：哈巴谷极度迷惘的原因是甚么？原因是有几个，但最主要是神似乎没有兴趣回应他的祷告：「耶和华啊，我呼求你，你不应允，要到几时呢？我因强暴哀求你，你还不拯救」（哈一2）。
没有甚么迷惘比我们称为「得不到回应的祷告」所带来的迷惘更大，特别是当我们知道我们祈求的事是符合神的旨意的时候。此刻正在阅读这篇讯息的一些读者可能正身处这样的境况。你为了神应许会赐下的事情祈求，可是得不到神的回应。
大家最常向我提出的问题是：「我知道自己根据神的旨意祈求时，为甚么神不应允我的祷告？」有时神好像出奇的沉默和安静。如果你的生命此刻正在经历「神的沉默」，你就会同情哈巴谷的感受了。我们要是说其他人也有你同样的感受，这样的话可能帮不了你甚么，但那是真确存在的一种情况。
「其他人也有与你相同的感受」
进深研究
约十一1-44；诗五十五1-2，七十七9
1. 耶稣接到那两姊妹的请求时，发生甚么事？
2. 马大怎样看这事？
祈祷
天父，求您帮助我，在属灵生命经历静默时找到安慰，知道其他人也经历过同样的处境，而且我也能够跟他们一样有所领悟。感谢您，亲爱的天父。阿们。
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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