主啊,這到幾時為止呢?

【主題經文】yg

【主題經文】

5 耶和華如此說:倚靠人血肉的膀臂,心中離棄耶和華的,那人有禍了! 6 因他必像沙漠的杜松,不見福樂來到,卻要住曠野乾旱之處,無人居住的鹼地。 7 倚靠耶和華、以耶和華為可靠的,那人有福了! 8 他必像樹栽於水旁,在河邊扎根,炎熱來到,並不懼怕,葉子仍必青翠,在乾旱之年毫無掛慮,而且結果不止 (17:5-8)

【背誦經文】

7 倚靠耶和華、以耶和華為可靠的,那人有福了! 8 他必像樹栽於水旁,在河邊扎根,炎熱來到,並不懼怕,葉子仍必青翠,在乾旱之年毫無掛慮,而且結果不止 (17:7-8)

【信息大綱】

A.  「時間」增加了試煉的強度

-以賽亞的「至死忠心」

·         11 我就說:「主啊,這到幾時為止呢?」祂說:直到城邑荒涼,無人居住,房屋空閒無人,地土極其荒涼。 12 並且耶和華將人遷到遠方…(6:11-13)

·         …總要效法那些憑信心和忍耐承受應許的人(6:12b)

·         2 我的弟兄們,你們落在百般試煉中,都要以為大喜樂;3 因為知道你們的信心經過試驗,就生忍耐。4 但忍耐也當成功,使你們成全、完備,毫無缺欠。(1:2-4)

·         11 耶和華說:我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念,不是降災禍的意念,要叫你們末後有指望。 12 你們要呼求我,禱告我,我就應允你們。 13 你們尋求我,若專心尋求我,就必尋見。 (29:11-14)

B.   在試煉中,信靠 神所蒙的福

a)  短期的考驗:「炎熱來到,並不懼怕,葉子仍必青翠」(v8a) -充滿生命跡象

b)  長期的考驗:「在乾旱之年毫無掛慮,而且結果不止」(v8b) -仍舊結實纍纍

·       弟兄們哪,你們要忍耐,直到主來。看哪,農夫忍耐等候地裏寶貴的出產,直到得了秋雨春雨。 8 你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了 (5:7-8)

 

·       我們一生的年日是七十歲,若是強壯可到八十歲;但其中所矜誇的不過是勞苦愁煩,轉眼成空,我們便如飛而去12 求你指教我們怎樣數算自己的日子,好叫我們得著智慧的心。 13 耶和華啊,我們要等到幾時呢 (O Lord, how long) ?求你轉回,為你的僕人後悔 ( have compassion on Your servants!) 14 求你使我們早早飽得你的慈愛,好叫我們一生一世歡呼喜樂。 15 求你照著你使我們受苦的日子,和我們遭難的年歲,叫我們喜樂。(90:12-15)

 

Are We There Yet?

(O Lord, How Long?)

Key Verses

5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.  6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.  8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)

Memorization Verse

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.  8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:7-8)

Outline

A.   “Time” increases the severity of the trial

-        Isaiah’s faithfulness unto death

·      11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, the houses are without a man, the land is utterly desolate, 12 The Lord has removed men far away, … (Isa 6:11-13)

·      2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

 

B.   The blessings in trusting the Lord amid trials

a)    Short term trials: “will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green …” (8a) -- signs of abundant life

b)    Long term trials: “will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (8b) -- continue to bear much fruit

·      13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)

·      12 … imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Heb 6:12b)

·      7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:7-8)

·      10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away...12 So teach us to number our days,13 Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. That we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:10)