5月10日
標 題：沒有神的成功
經 節：摩西說：「你若不親自和我同去，就不要把我們從這裡領上去。」（出埃及記卅三章15節）
人可能經歷成功，卻沒有神的同在。如果成功對你很重要，你可能會選擇成功高過於你與神的關係。神要提供一位天使與以色列百姓同行，保證他們在進入迦南地後的每個戰役都成功。沒有一支軍隊可以抵抗他們的攻擊，沒有一道城牆可以阻止他們。應許之地的富饒唾手可得。每一件他們夢寐以求的東西，似乎緊緊在握。他們惟一的缺乏，是神的同在。神說他們是硬著頸項的百姓，祂不要與他們同行，因為他們的心遠離祂。
以色列百姓的經驗說明，勝利與偉大的成就不見得是神同在的記號。不要以為自己的健康、興隆的生意或事工的成長，是因為神同在的緣故。你有可能在不知不覺之中，把神的同在視為次要，而選擇了成功。
摩西很有智慧地判斷，無論多大的成功都不能代替與神之間的關係。摩西知道世界的成就很快會消失，他的安全感是來自他與神的關係。世人眼中的成功不表示有神的祝福。事實上，它可能是你選擇其他東西代替神的指針。你是否以成功、權力和財富為滿足，而輕看你與神之間的關係？你是否重視神的同在，高過你在世界所能經歷的最偉大成就？
Success without God
Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does
not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15)
It is possible to experience success and yet be
void of God’s presence. If success is what is important to you, you may be
tempted to choose accomplishments over your relationship with God. God offered
to send an angel with the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land to
ensure their success in every venture. No army could withstand them. No city
wall could stop them. The wealth of the land lay before them. Everything they
had ever dreamed of appeared to be theirs for the taking. The only thing
missing would be the presence of God. God said they were an obstinate people,
and He would not go with them when their hearts were far from Him.
The Israelites’ experience reveals that victory and
great accomplishments are not necessarily a sign of God’s presence. Do not
assume that your good health, your profitable business, or the growth of your
ministry is due to the presence of God. It may be that you have inadvertently
chosen success over your walk with the Lord.
Moses wisely concluded that success, no matter how
great, is not a substitute for fellowship with God. Moses knew how quickly
worldly achievements could disappear. His security came from his relationship
with God. Success in the world’s eyes is not a sign of God’s blessing. It may,
in fact, indicate that you have chosen a substitute for intimate fellowship
with God. Would you be satisfied to have success, power, and wealth, but not a
relationship with God? Do you value God’s presence in your life more than the
greatest achievements you could experience in the world?
