9月7日
标 题：住在山上的日子够了
经 节：耶和华─我们的神在何烈山晓谕我们说︰你们在这山上住的日子够了。（申命记一章6节）
如果神让我们住在“山顶”，我们永远不能经历考验，更不能经历任何胜利。当神对以色列百姓说话，颁发十诫给他们的时候，以色列人聚集在西乃山脚下。这是个惊人的经验！火与烟覆蓋了整个山顶，天空闪电，角声渐渐地高昂！遍山大大震动，百姓们恐惧战兢（出埃及记十九：16～25）。
神的百姓不只是要经历与神相遇的激动，他们的主由埃及解救他们的目的，并不是要他们待在荒野的山地中。神解救他们，好叫他们能够征服应许之地。神要向以色列人展示自己的权能，好让他们信任祂能够带领他们进入迦南地。最后，神宣布他们在山上待得够久了，是起行争战的时刻。
山顶上实在是一个吸引人的安营处。彼得、雅各和约翰预备要在变像山顶搭棚与耶稣同住，然而，他们的主知道山脚下有一个鬼附的孩子需要帮助（马太福音十七：4、14～18）。神有时会慈爱地让你享受山顶经验，这些经验可能发生在许多不同的时候：在你与祂独处时、在基督徒聚会时、读一本好书时、或是在祷告聚会时。你可能希望自己一辈子舒适地享受迎见主的激情，但要记得，这些山顶的际遇是神要装备你，好面对前头的争战。
Long Enough on the Mountain
The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying:
“‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.” (Deuteronomy 1:6)
If God allowed us to live on the “mountaintop,” we
would not experience trials, but neither would we achieve any victories. The
Israelites had gathered at the foot of Mount Horeb while God spoke to them and
gave them His law. It was a breathtaking experience! Fire and smoke covered
that awesome mountain; lightning flashed, and loud trumpet sounds pierced the
air in a deafening crescendo! The ground at the foot of the mountain shook, and
the people trembled in fear (Exod. 19:16–25).
As important as it was for God’s people to have
this inspiring encounter with Him, their Lord had not rescued them from Egypt
in order for them to settle around a mountain in the wilderness. God delivered
them so that they could conquer the Promised Land. God wanted to demonstrate
His power to the Israelites so that they would trust Him in their conquest of
Canaan. Finally, God announced that they had been long enough at the mountain;
it was time to go to battle.
The mountain is an enticing place to set up camp.
Peter, James, and John were prepared to reside on the Mount of Transfiguration
with Jesus, but their Lord knew that a demon-possessed boy needed their
assistance down below (Matt. 17:4, 14–18). At times God will graciously provide
you a mountaintop experience. These times come in many settings: during your
time alone with Him, at a Christian conference, by reading a Christian book, or
at a prayer meeting. You may wish you could spend the rest of your life basking
in the glow of your encounter with God. But remember, these mountaintop
encounters are God’s way of preparing you for the battles that await you.
