Day 18 March 17

Day 18 March 17

Passage :Isaiah 44:9-23

It is incredible that God’s people had forgotten about him. And even with such Israelites, God spoke intently to them, “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?” And in verses 9-17, God let them reflect on what they had seen over the years. There was no lack of craftsmen in their midst, people who would use a piece of wood to craft idols, another piece to burn and keep warm, and another piece to roast meat. These same people would turn to the idol made out of their own hands and say, “Save me; you are my god”. Verses 18-20 analysed that they did these out of total ignorance. Their God who had been observing them closely for a long period could see that they had come to a dead end, and there was no salvation ahead.

The turning point in their lives came when God called these ignorant and fallen people “Jacob”, ”Israel”, which was their ancestor’s name. God had always remembered Jacob, who later was named Israel. Through the generations, and up to this current generation of the descendants of Jacob, God once again called them lovingly, “Israel, you are my servant”. No doubt they were far from perfect, but God who could see the future, would bring about a huge turn around. God saw that they had fallen prey to the temptations of false gods, but nothing was impossible for God. He could sweep away their offenses as easily as dust. What could possibly be difficult for God who created the heavens and the earth? The most crucial part is, “Return to me” – this was a call of love. God had seen them running after false gods and this caused him heartache and rage, but now God remembered his promise to Jacob. He was willing to redeem them, and willing to disregard their offenses.

Without such a God who calls out to us, who can we turn to in life? If God was even willing to call out to Israel at their worst, and address them as “my servant”, what more will He also speak to us who have been baptized in Christ. If our brothers have gone down the wrong path, should we not continue to pray, seek the opportunity to counsel, and wait patiently for their return? For God is our redeemer.

Prayer: God we have heard your voice, and this has moved our hearts!

第十八天 Mar 17

经文：以赛亚书 44：9-23

他的子民竟然忘记了上帝。即使对着这样的以色列人，上帝一心一意告诉他们“你们是我的见证，除我以外，岂有真神？”。接着在9-17节，神让百姓重新回溯自己人生里见到的种种。他们当中不乏制作偶像的人，一块木头用来造偶像，一块用来烧柴取暖，再一块用来烤肉。然后人竟然向着自己手所造的偶像说“你是我的神，求你拯救我”。18-20节分析了他们的无知。这位从旁观察他们的上帝，看见他们到最后来到一个地步，无法自救。

峰回路转的是，对于这样无知与陷堕的子民，上帝亲切地呼叫他们“雅各”“以色列”。这是他们先祖的名字，从雅各到以色列，上帝记得他。如今来到雅各的后代，上帝带着极大的爱再次呼唤“以色列啊，你是我的仆人”。

诚然此时还不成器，但是上帝看见未来，他可以带来莫大的改变。上帝看见这一切因为无知而带来的拜假神，也难不倒他。他可以涂抹过犯，他可以处理这样的厚云，让它消散。这对于造天地的耶和华，有何难处？最重要的是，“你当归向我”：这是一个爱的呼唤。上帝曾经因为看见他们的拜假神而心痛与愤怒。但是到如今，上帝记得他对雅各的承诺，他愿意救赎，他愿意涂抹过犯。

如果没有这样愿意呼叫我们的上帝，我们的人生能够走到哪里去？如果连以色列，上帝都愿意找回他们，叫他们为“我的仆人”，那么今天对于我们这些受洗归入基督的人，如果我们的兄弟行差走错，我们是不是要继续地祷告，劝解，等候他们回头，让上帝来救赎他们？ 

祷告：上帝你的呼叫，叫我们感动!