9月10日
標 題:神記得
經 節:你去向耶路撒冷人的耳中喊叫說,耶和華如此說:你幼年的恩愛,婚姻的愛情,你怎樣在曠野,在未曾耕種之地跟隨我,我都記得。(耶利米書二章2節)
當你的心對神愈來愈冷淡,對祂的熱愛愈來愈薄弱的時候,祂對你的愛仍是穩定不動搖。我們可能會忘記祂,祂卻記得我們。
神當時很擔心,因為猶太民族已經漸漸遠離神。神向以色列百姓表達自己的愛意,並且回憶他們過去剛剛愛上神的情感。祂記得當初百姓們是如何愛自己,就像一個新娘熱愛她的丈夫一樣,對未來充滿興奮與期待。祂回想當初他們表達,無論神到何處都願跟隨的愛意。神提醒他們過去對祂的愛意,他們的記憶也許可以重燃奉獻的愛火,他們的心可能因而回轉向祂。
如果不守護自己的心,你對基督的愛會愈來愈冷淡。這時候祂可能會親近你,提醒你和祂過去的關係。你是否還記得自己剛變成基督徒的時候,生活洋溢著喜樂?你是否還記得年輕時向神承諾,立定心志要做任何神要你做的事?你是否記得,每回你經歷到祂本性的某個新特質時,心中湧出的激情?屬靈的記憶是非常重要的。除非比較當前與早期愛心的差異,你可能不會瞭解自己已離神多遠。
神是永不改變的。祂與你當初獻上你的心,成為一個基督徒的時候,是一樣的(瑪拉基書三:6~7)。如果你對神的愛不像從前那麼熱切,回轉向祂。祂會重建你過去與祂親密的關係。
God Remembers
Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying,
“Thus says the LORD: I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love
of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not
sown.” (Jeremiah 2:2)
Even when our hearts grow cold toward God and our
devotion to Him weakens, His love remains steadfast. We may forget God, but He
remembers us.
God was concerned because the people of Judah had
allowed their hearts to drift far from Him. In a powerful moment, God shared
His heart with His people, recalling what it was like when they first began
loving Him. He remembered how they had loved Him, as a new bride loves her
husband, with excitement and enthusiasm for the future. He recalled the
kindness they had expressed as they willingly followed Him wherever He led
them. God reminded them of the love they had once had for Him, so that the
memory might rekindle feelings of devotion and their hearts might return to
Him.
If you do not guard our heart, you will grow cold
in your love for Christ. A time may come when He approaches you and reminds you
what your relationship was once like. Do you recollect the joy that permeated
your life when you first became a Christian? Do you recall the youthful
commitments you made to Him, pledging to do anything He told you to do? Do you
remember the thrill you experienced each time you came to understand a new
dimension of His nature? Spiritual memory is important. You may not realize how
far you have drifted from God until you contrast the love you are expressing to
Him now with that of earlier days.
God has not changed. He is the same Person you gave
your heart to when you became a Christian (Mal. 3:6–7). If your love for God is
not as intense as it once was, return to Him. He will restore the intimate
fellowship you once shared with Him.