以赛亚书［第五十七章］
Book of Isaiah 57
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以赛亚书［第五十七章］|Book of Isaiah 57【得享平安】
18/08/2022
前言：末日堡垒
在位于美国中部的堪萨斯州有一个"末日堡垒"。据说入住这个堡垒的人们可以确保在核战争或其它重大的自然灾害中活下来。虽然售价昂贵，但是人们还是争着抢购，一推出很快就售卖完。其实，从这件事就可以知道，人们对末日的恐惧以及对平安的渴望。但是，这个造价不菲的堡垒真的能带给人们平安吗？真正的平安又是从哪里来？要怎样才能得到呢？
一、义人死亡是神恩（v1-2）
当人们看到义人蒙受各种逼迫，而恶人却没遭到报应时，我们都会觉得很不公平，也可能会抱怨‘老天不长眼睛’。但经文透露，义人的死亡不但能够避过这邪恶的时代，更是得免将要来临的审判和刑罚，是变相的祝福。
• 塞翁失马焉知非福。神允许发生的事，都是与我们有益，要造就我们的属灵生命。
• 不管末日审判的日子是否快到，更重要的是我们要成为神眼中的义人。
二、恶人灭亡是自取（v3-13）
1.离弃真神（v3-8）
神形容以色列百姓为巫婆的儿子、奸夫和妓女生的种子，因为他们除了效法外邦人占卜行邪术，更是淫乱、悖逆、虚谎的一代。他们离弃神去拜巴力和许多偶像。与庙妓在橡树中间公开行淫，在山谷间、在石穴下宰杀儿女，献婴儿给摩洛为祭等。
2.依靠世属（v9-13a）
虽然被掳过，归回后的百姓，依然没有学到教训，继续行恶。他们不但不惧怕神，不肯诚实投靠祂，一有问题，就打发使者往远方去求援，用外交手段，寻求盟国、签订盟约、寻求保障。但神说必自卑自贱直到阴间。也就是当他们与外邦人签约时，就等于是签下自己的死亡证书。他们走远路，把油带到王（偶像摩洛）那里，已经疲倦、难负重担，却坚持认为是值得的、觉得这些偶像会赐给他们复兴的能力。神说他们是自欺欺人，自取灭亡。
三、义人得享神平安（v13b-19）
像父母责备儿女时一样，拥有丰盛怜悯的神虽斥责人，也一样担心百姓承受不了而灵性发昏。所以，每次责备后，神都会亲自给祂所爱的子民带来盼望和曙光。只要这些悖逆的百姓愿意回转投靠祂，出于恩典，神必要叫他们在这乱世中，得享从祂而来的平安。因为神要为他们：
1.除去绊脚石（v13b-14）
当我们的生命活生活一直卡住、问题就就不能突破时，你的心中会有平安吗？不会的！
神说愿意投靠祂的人必要得地为业，更要承受圣山为业，就是天上的属灵福气。神还要为这些人预备道路，除掉绊脚石，也就是神要亲自为百姓预备悔改和得胜的道路。
2.心灵得苏醒（v15-18）
在至高至上、永远长存的圣洁神面前，人看到自己真实的本相，就知道自己是多么不配。但爱我们的父神却不计较。愿意降卑，与我们同居，住在我们心里。只要我们心灵痛悔，谦卑的常对主说： “主我需要祢！求祢帮助我！”祂就要使我们生命有活力，心灵得苏醒，并且带领他们进入到祂的平安里。
3.嘴唇结果子（v19）
造就嘴唇的果子：使受击打的子民转悲为喜，发出赞美、感恩的话，美好的见证。 远处的人：可指分散各地的犹太人，也可指外邦人。 近处的人：住在耶城的犹太人。
受击打的子民怎么会转悲为喜，发出赞美、感恩的话？岂不是因为经历了神的恩典和基督的救恩。而且这嘴唇的果子，要使散居海外的犹太人，回应神阿利亚的呼召，回归耶路撒冷。也让住在耶城的犹太人能得救恩，与外邦教会合而为一，成为一个新人，一同进入新天新地，与主同作王，得着永恒的平安。
四、恶人必不得平安（v20-21）
恶人被罪恶缠累，在常发出污秽的念头和言语去害人的同时，也会惧怕别人报仇，因此内心永远没有安宁。神警告，恶人若不悔改，最终必不得进入安息，必不得平安，永远在地狱里受苦！
总结：你心中有平安吗 ？
神是唯一平安的源头。在这动荡不安的世代，尤其是经历了冠病的冲击后要面对许多未知的未来，经济萧条、通货膨胀、裁员失业。还有天灾频频的发生，你心中平安的指数是多少呢？在不安的时刻，紧紧抓住赐我们平安的神。
Isaiah 57: Receive and Enjoy Peace
GK611 Morning Devotion
18/8/2022
Speaker: Ps Deborah + Rev David Tan
Introduction: Fortress of Doom
There is a " Fortress of Endtime (aka Survivor Condominium) in Kansas City in the central United States. It is said that the people who live in this fort are guaranteed to survive a nuclear war or other major natural disasters. Although it is expensive, people are still rushing to buy it, and it sold out quickly as soon as it is launched. In fact, from this incident, we know that people's fear of the end times and their desire for peace. But can this expensive fortress really bring people peace? Where does true peace come from? How to get it?
I. The death of the righteous is divine grace (v1-2)
When people see that the righteous suffer all kinds of persecution, but the wicked are not punished, we all feel very unfair, and we may complain that "God doesn't have eyes". But the scriptures reveal that the death of the righteous not only avoids this evil time but also avoids the coming judgment and punishment, which is a blessing in disguise.
There is a Chinese saying that although you suffer a loss for a moment, you gain benefits from it instead. Whatever God allows to happen is for our benefit and for the edification of our spiritual life.
Whether or not the day of judgment is approaching, it is more important that we become righteous in God's eyes.
II. The perishing of the wicked is self-inflicted (v3-13)
1. Abandoning the true God (v3-8)
God described the Israelites as the sons of witches, adulterers, and the seeds of prostitutes because in addition to imitating the Gentiles in divination and sorcery, they were also a generation of adultery, disobedience, and liars. They abandoned God to worship Baal and many idols. Public fornication with temple prostitutes among oak trees, slaughtering children in valleys and under rock caves, offering babies as sacrifices to Molech, etc.
2. Dependence on the world (v9-13a)
Even though they were exiled and returned, the people still did not learn the lesson and continued to do evil. Not only did they not fear God, but they refused to trust Him exactly. Whenever there was a problem, they sent messengers to seek help from afar, and they used diplomatic means to seek allies, sign covenants, and seek security. But God said he would shame himself to hell. That is, when they signed a contract with a Gentile, they signed their own death certificate. They travelled long distances to bring oil to the king (the idol Molech), tired and overburdened but insisted it was worthwhile, feeling that these idols would give them the power to revive. God said they were deceiving themselves and destroying themselves.
III. The righteous shall enjoy the peace of God (v13b-19) Just as parents reproach their children, even though God of abundant mercy rebukes His people, He is also worried that the people will not be able to bear it and will become spiritually fainted. So, after every rebuke, God Himself brings hope and light to His beloved people. As long as these rebellious people are willing to turn and take refuge in Him, out of grace, God will give them the peace that comes from Him in this troubled time. For them, God will:
1. Remove stumbling blocks (v13b-14)
When our life has been stuck and the problem cannot be broken through, will there be peace in your heart? Will not!
God said that those who are willing to take refuge in Him must acquire the land as an inheritance, and more importantly, receive the holy mountain as an inheritance, which is a spiritual blessing in heaven. God also wants to prepare the way for these people and remove the stumbling blocks, that is, God himself will prepare the way for the people to repent and overcome.
2. The mind is awakened (v15-18)
In the presence of the sovereign, eternal and holy God, when people see their true selves, they know how unworthy they are. But God the Father who loves us doesn't mind. Willing to humble Himself, to dwell with us, to live in our hearts. As long as our hearts repented and humble, we often say to the Lord, "Lord, I need You! Please help me!" He will energise our lives, refresh our hearts, and lead us into His peace.
3. The lips bear fruit (v19)
Edifying the fruit of the lips: Turning the stricken people from mourning to joy, uttering words of praise, thanksgiving, and a good testimony. People from afar: Can refer to scattered Jews or Gentiles. People who are near: Jews living in Jerusalem.
How can the stricken people turn their sorrow into joy and send out words of praise and gratitude? Is it not because of experiencing the grace of God and the salvation of Christ. And the fruit of these lips will make the Jews from the diaspora return to Jerusalem in response to the call of God of Aliyah. It also allows the Jews living in the city of Jerusalem to be saved, to become one with the Gentile church, to become a new man, to enter the new heaven and new earth together, to reign with the Lord, and to gain eternal peace.
IV. The wicked will have no peace (v20-21)
Wicked people are entangled in sin, and while they often send out filthy thoughts and words to harm others, they also fear revenge from others, so they will never have peace in their hearts. God warns that if the wicked do not repent, they will ultimately not enter rest, they will have no peace, and they will suffer forever in hell!
Conclusion: Do you have peace in your heart?
God is the only source of peace. In this turbulent generation, especially after the distress of Covid-19, there are many unknown futures, economic depression, inflation, layoffs and unemployment. There are also frequent occurrences of natural disasters. What is the index of peace in your heart? In times of anxiety, hold fast to the God who gives us peace.
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