Tuesday, 27th April 2021
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Section One V1-5: David’s Blindness
V 1-2 “Then the Philistines gathered together all their armies at Aphek, and the Israelites encamped by a fountain which is in Jezreel. And the lords of the Philistines passed in review by hundreds and by thousands, but David and his men passed in review at the rear with Achish.” David did not want to face Saul, so he followed Archish, the Philistine leader.
V4 “But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men?” David tried to fit in and become like a Philistine, but the Philistines knew they were Israel. David and his men could not hide themselves in the Philistines army.
When God chose us, we can’t hide anymore, because we are no longer ourselves. We are God’s chosen army, to be equipped, planted and prepared by God. So do we choose to continue hide in our old self? We thought we hid ourselves well in the world, but God knows where we are and enemy knows who we are! The enemy will try to trick us and keep us hidden in the world.
Section Two V6-11: God’s Salvation
V8 “So David said to Achish, “But what have I done? And to this day what have you found in your servant as long as I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”” David did not see God was protecting him, he even wanted to prove himself in front of Archish. If David really went with the Philistines and fight the Israelites, then how can David and his 600 men led the Israel army in the future? God is protecting David through the environment.
V11 “So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines.” In order to please the other Philistines, Archish told David and his men to leave in the dark.
When God chose us, He will take responsibly until the end. He will raise up the environment to stop us, but are we willing to turn back and see God’s hands with us? May God help us, to turn back while we still can, do not lose the destiny God has given to us, do not have one foot in the world and one foot in God’s Kingdom.
Prayer and Pursuit
God has already chosen us, are we willing to let go of the world and receive life? Are we willing to set ourselves apart, put down the lives of this world and follow God? We can’t live a double life anymore, we can’t hide behind our enemy, but come out boldly from the darkness, into the wonderful light. The Holy Spirit is reminding us and calling us today, to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of facing danger and poverty, but believe we will receive the victory of God and walk out! Lord, thank You for You are real, we can rely on You. Thank You for bringing the light into our lives, bless each one of us, Lord, strengthen us, give us faith and a heart that never gives up. Amen!
2021年4月27日 星期二
-潘锡安牧师-
撒母耳记上 29
神出手了
大卫以为靠着自己的小聪明在亚吉这里能得到平安。我们有时也是如此，一只脚在世界上得好处，另一只脚在神的国度也想得到好处。大卫在亚吉那里满足于神给他的六百人，但神兴起环境，让大卫不会一错再错，不再沉迷在自己觉得安全的地方。
一、大卫的蒙蔽（v.1-5)
V1-2 非利士人要来攻打以色列人，两军对垒，剑拔弩张。大卫本来躲到非利士人的地方，结果要面对攻打自己国家的局面。一个作为被先知撒母耳亲自膏立的以色列未来的王、曾经奋勇杀敌的大卫，聪明反被聪明误，如今沦落到跟在自己的敌人非利士人亚吉的后面。
V3a 大卫想成为非利士人，结果反被非利士的首领发现。大卫被神拣选的身份是隐藏不得的。当我们被神拣选的时候，我们不再是以前的我们，而是战士，是耶和华的军队。我们是否还是选择过世界的生活或者脚踏两只船吗？
V3b 大卫在亚吉那里过着非利士人的、属世的生活，连亚吉也看不出他有什么不一样，说他“直到今日”未曾见大卫有过错，意思就是大卫没做过跟非利士人敌对的事。然而非利士人是拜偶像的，大卫又如何能洁身自好呢？
V4-5 我们可能不知道自己，但我们的敌人知道我们是谁，他们不会希望看见我们提升，只想让我们走回老路。我们不要被这些自己想掌控的东西蒙蔽，反要警醒过来。
二、神的拯救（v.6-11)
V6-7 亚吉叫大卫来，不是让他回以色列去，而是用耶和华的名字起誓，跟大卫讲很多好话，让大卫觉得自己被认同，继续留下来，继续沉醉在自己的蒙蔽中。这个世界的计谋也是这样，让我们想要安逸，不能分别为圣，不能成为世上的光，只是得过且过。
V8-9 大卫没有看见神在保守他 – 如果大卫跟那六百人真的上了战场 攻打自己的兄弟以色列人，他将来如何活出神给他的命定，带领以色列人呢？神看到大卫没有看到的局面，兴起环境来阻止大卫。
V10 亚吉建议大卫离开的时间是清晨的时候，大卫不能够光明正大地走，只能偷偷摸摸地离开。当神拣选我们的时候，他会负责到底，我们不能尽情犯罪，因为神会兴起环境阻挡我们继续犯罪。我们是否愿意趁着还有机会的时候，认罪悔改归向神呢？
当我们在被蒙蔽的时候，神兴起环境，我们是否看到神的动工呢？让我们不要耍小聪明，不要一只脚踏在世界里，另一只脚踏在神的国度，而是愿意放下世界，回转向神。
*追求与回应：
我们现在是不是真的还在蒙蔽当中？神确实拣选了我们，我们有君尊王族的身份，但我们是否愿意放下世界、分别为圣？神借着撒母耳记上第29章对我们说，我们再不能这样。要放下我们紧紧抓住的世界，不要躲在亚吉王的后面，要出黑暗，入神的奇妙光明。神呼召我们刚强壮胆，不要害怕自己的安全，不怕面对贫穷，要相信靠主得胜。求神给我们加添力量，勇敢地走出去，不走回头路，不再一只脚踏在在世界里，另一只脚又踏在神的国度。
主耶稣，谢谢你，你是真实的、可信靠的神。谢谢你借着你的话语带领我们走出安逸的生活，让真光照进我们里面，带我们出黑暗入奇妙光明。求主你给我们力量和不离不弃的心，单单跟从你，过着属神的生活。