耶利米书［第二十一章］
Book of Jeremiah 21
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耶利米书 第二十一章 |Book of Jeremiah 21【生死岔路口的选择】
西底家王在耶路撒冷被巴比伦围困时，派人去找耶利米求问神，期望神通过耶利米再行神迹，像以前那样帮助他们打败敌人。神的回应却是极其严厉：神不会再像过去那样拯救他们，反而是要将他们交给巴比伦人的手，耶路撒冷必被攻陷；因为，西底家和百姓没有真正的悔改，他们忽视神对他们的警告和要求，忘记了神并不是任人使唤的偶像。
我们在生活中，是否也像以色列人一样，只有在遇到麻烦时才想起神？我们是否也曾对神说：神啊，帮我度过这次难关，我以后一定好好跟随你。一旦问题过去，又继续自己的生活，忘记神？真正的信仰不是临时的求助站，而是日常的与神同行！
二、走向生命或奔向死亡（V8-10）
神通过耶利米向百姓清楚地说明：现在摆在他们面前有两条路，一条是通往生命的路，一条是通向死亡的路。选择投降巴比伦人的将存活，而选择留在城里抵抗的，必然遭遇死亡。这不是因为神不爱他们，而是因为他们长久的悖逆带来的后果。神依然在审判中展现祂的怜悯，给了他们生存的机会。
我们常常认为自己的选择比神的安排更好，但神的智慧远超过我们。祂知道哪条路是通向生命的，即便看似不合常理。我们是否愿意相信神的智慧，顺服祂的引导，选择那条虽然艰难，但最终带来生命的路呢？
三、神才是真正的避难所（V11-14）
神呼吁犹大王家施行公义，保护那些被压迫的人，否则祂的烈火将焚烧他们。即使在耶路撒冷城墙之内，也无法逃脱神的审判。神的审判不仅是针对外敌的威胁，更是针对他们内部的败坏和不公正。
我们是否也常把安全感放在错误的地方？工作、金钱、名誉、甚至是人际关系，可能会让我们暂时感到稳固，但唯有神才是我们真正的避难所。我们必须把生命的根基建在祂身上，才能面对风暴。
总结：生死之择，在乎顺服神！
今天，我们每个人都站在‘生死之择’的岔路口；你是否愿意选择顺服神，认罪悔改？无论我们现在面对多大的困难，只要我们走在神的道路上，祂总会为我们预备一条‘生路’！
Jeremiah 21 The choice between life and death
GK611 Morning Devotion
24/09/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Daniel
1. God is not an idol that can be manipulated by others (V1-7)
When King Zedekiah was besieged by Babylon in Jerusalem, he sent people to Jeremiah to consult God, hoping that God would perform another miracle through Jeremiah and help them defeat the enemy as before. God’s response was extremely severe: God would no longer save them as He had done in the past but would hand them over to the hands of the Babylonians, and Jerusalem would be captured; because Zedekiah and the people did not truly repent, and they ignored God. Their warnings and demands forget that God is not an idol to be manipulated by others.
In our lives, are we like the Israelites, who only think of God when we encounter trouble? Have we ever said to God: God, help me get through this difficulty, and I will follow you well in the future. Once the problem is over, go on with your life and forget about God? True faith is not a temporary help station, but a daily walk with God!
2. Heading towards life or towards death (V8-10)
God made it clear to the people through Jeremiah: Now there were two roads before them, one was the way to life, and the other was the way to death. Those who choose to surrender to the Babylonians will survive, while those who choose to stay in the city and resist will surely meet death. This is not because God does not love them, but because of the consequences of their continuing disobedience. God still showed His mercy in judgment and gave them a chance to survive.
We often think our choices are better than God’s arrangements, but God is far wiser than we are. He knows which way leads to life, even if it seems counterintuitive. Are we willing to trust God’s wisdom, obey His guidance, and choose the path that, although difficult, ultimately brings life?
3. God is the real refuge (V11-14)
God calls upon the royal house of Judah to exercise justice and protect those who are oppressed, otherwise His consuming fire will consume them. Even within the walls of Jerusalem, there was no escape from God’s judgment. God’s judgment is not only against the threats of external enemies, but also against their internal corruption and injustice.
Do we too often place our sense of security in the wrong place? Jobs, money, fame, and even relationships may make us feel secure temporarily, but God alone is our true refuge. We must build the foundation of our lives on Him before we can face the storm.
Conclusion: The choice between life and death depends on obeying God!
Today, each of us stands at a cross-junction in the road of ‘choice between life and death’; are you willing to choose to obey God, confess your sins and repent? No matter what difficulties we face now, as long as we walk on God’s path, He will always prepare a ‘way of life’ for us!