10月14日
標 題：勝利與失敗
經 節：仇敵起來攻擊你，耶和華必使他們在你面前被你殺敗；他們從一條路來攻擊你，必從七條路逃跑。……耶和華必使你敗在仇敵面前，你從一條路去攻擊他們，必從七條路逃跑。你必在天下萬國中拋來拋去。（申命記廿八章7、25節）
當以色列人預備進入應許之地時，神給他們一個選擇：留心注意祂的聲音、遵行祂的命令，並且經歷連續的勝利；或是背離神、不遵行祂的話，並且一再經歷嚴重的失敗。這是個容易的選擇。而他們在戰場上勝負的結局，明確地表明出他們的選擇是甚麼。
勝利的保證並不代表以色列人不需要束上盔甲、上戰場，也不是指他們可以不付任何代價，就得到勝利。有時候，他們的敵人猛烈地攻擊，戰爭反反覆覆、一再激烈地進行。然而，當以色列人親密地與神同行，他們知道自己的努力將得到最後的勝利。
神給我們的選擇，與當時以色列人相同。若與祂同行及遵行祂的命令，祂會與我們站在同一邊，保證我們必可戰勝所面對的挑戰。我們一定得面對戰爭，只要一直行在祂的旨意中，神應許我們會得勝利。然而，如果我們行事的抉擇與神不相干，當然會被困難給壓垮。誠如以色列人一樣，事情的結局將明確地表明我們的選擇是甚麼。如果你所經驗的每個挑戰都失敗，你的心可能已經遠離神了。要聆聽神，遵行祂向你顯明的旨意。不論遭遇何事，你會得到勝利的。
Victory Versus Defeat
The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways….The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. (Deuteronomy 28:7, 25)
As the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, God set before them a choice: Heed His voice, obey His commandments, and experience continued victory. Or turn from God, disobey His word, and experience repeated and resounding defeat. It was a simple choice. The choice they made would be evident by the results on the battlefield.
The assurance of victory did not mean that the Israelites would not have to strap on their armor and go to battle. It did not assure them of effortless victory. At times their enemies fought fiercely, and the battles raged back and forth. Nevertheless, as the Israelites walked closely with God, they knew that their efforts would always result in victory.
God gives us the same choice He gave the Israelites. If we walk with Him, obedient to His word, He will stand with us and ensure victory over our challenges. We must face the battle, but God promises us victory if we remain in His will. However, if we choose to disassociate from God, we surely will be overtaken by difficulties. As with the Israelites, our decision will be evident by the outcome. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, your heart has departed from God. If you have been experiencing defeat in the challenges you face, examine your heart. When you are buffeted by the crises of life, your heart may have shifted away from God. Choose to listen to God. Then obey what He tells you, no matter what you face, and you will experience victory.
