10月4日
标 题：属灵的乐观
经 节：大卫对非利士人说：“你来攻击我，是靠着刀枪和铜戟；我来攻击你，是靠着万军之耶和华的名，就是你所怒駡带领以色列军队的神。今日耶和华必将你交在我手里。”（撒母耳记上十七章45～46节上）
大卫肯定是个乐观主义者！不管自己的环境如何，他总是看到神的作为！悲观主义者则是专注于问题，陷入苦思事情不得成功的原因。当乐观者看到那些相同的问题时，他们以神同在的角度来看这些问题。
当大卫遇见歌利亚时，他只是个年轻的孩子，而歌利亚是作战经验丰富的战士，甚至连最勇敢的以色列军人都惧怕他。当大卫预备这场战役，他看到歌利亚是个巨人。他听到歌利亚狂妄自夸及奚落的骂阵，他不能不注意到敌人的武器：一把刀、一个盾牌和一把标枪。大卫并非毫无准备地闯进战场，他准备了五颗光滑的石子作武器，预备以发射五颗石子的机会，让神赐给他胜利。大卫准备好迎接神的胜利，不管这是一场轻松的仗，或是难缠的战役。
乐观的人不会忽略事情的困难，他们敏锐地察觉这些困难。然而，确知神同在阻止他们灰心丧胆。我们不可能拥有神的同在，又同时作个悲观主义者！
大卫与歌利亚的事件，生动地描述出基督徒信心的源头──不是靠我们的才干、力量或智谋，乃是靠大能神的能力。如果专注在自己的对手和眼前苦恼的问题，它们看起来似乎会很庞大。但当我们专注在神的身上，将会以合宜的角度来看自己的处境，并且肯定在神凡事都能（腓立比书四：13）。
Spiritual
Optimism
Then
David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear,
and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God
of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver
you into my hand.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46a)
David
was certainly an optimist! Regardless of his circumstances, David could always
see God’s activity! A pessimist focuses on the problems, concentrating on the
reasons why something cannot be done. The optimist sees those same problems,
but he sees them from the perspective of God’s presence.
David
was just a young boy when he faced Goliath, an intimidating veteran warrior who
frightened even the bravest Israelite soldier. As he prepared for battle, David
saw that Goliath was a giant. He heard his boastful taunts. He could not fail
to notice his enemy’s weapons: a sword, a shield, and a javelin. David did not
barge into the battle unprepared for a fight. He armed himself with five smooth
stones. David was prepared for God to grant him victory with the first stone he
hurled at the giant or the fifth. David was ready to accept God’s victory,
whether it came easily or with much effort.
Optimists
do not ignore the difficulties, they are keenly aware of them. But the
knowledge of God’s presence prevents them from becoming discouraged or giving
up. It is impossible to stand in the presence of God and be a pessimist!
The
account of David and Goliath vividly pictures the source of the Christian’s
faith—not our own size, strength, or resources, but the power of almighty God.
If we focus on our opposition and problems, they will seem gigantic. But as we
focus on God, we will see our situation in the proper perspective and be
assured that all things are possible with God (Phil. 4:13).
