Year: 2023

12/12/2023

引言：到底是好人有好报，还是傻人有傻福？

一、神以敬畏他的人为荣（V1-5）

神形容约伯是完全正直、敬畏祂、远离恶事的人。神非常看重约伯，因为他敬畏神。虽然他已经有了所有人都羡慕的丰盛生活，但是他仍然担当了就如祭司的职责，向神献祭，为他和全家所犯的罪求赦免。所以约伯并不是自认无罪，祂这样做是出于对神的爱与信任，是出于一颗爱神的心。

神很看重我们是否敬畏祂，因为在我们身上彰显出神的荣耀，彰显出我们是属神的或是属魔鬼的。约伯是一个完全正直、诚实无伪的人，他敬畏神、看重神、怕神、不敢得罪神，在一切的决定上都以神为中心，以神为他决策的动机。

二、撒旦会向神发出挑战（V6-12）

神以约伯为傲，但是撒旦却不以为然。牠不断在在地上走来走去，其实就是不满神，想要用地上人的软弱来控诉神。我们要留心仇敌的攻击和预备好自己，像约伯一般去受苦，要以喜乐的心去面对一切。因为在天上有争战，我们要时刻防备。

仇敌常常试探攻击我们，要利用我们去埋怨神。但是我们要相信神仍然有主权，若没有神的允许，什么都不会发生，因为魔鬼什么都不能做，只可以走来走去。我们的生命及一切都是在神的手中，魔鬼的只是虚招，我们要持守信心。

三、敬畏神的人也有挑战 （V13-22）

1. 撒旦无情的攻击 （V13-19）

魔鬼一夜之间让约伯的财产化为乌有，儿女全部罹难。这些事情是发生得非常快速的，而且是同一个时刻，更是一种不容对方喘息。魔鬼撒旦的目的，就是让人乱了阵脚，打击人对神的专注与信心。

2. 敬畏神的人回应 （V20-22）

“天有不测之风云，人有旦夕之祸福”。一个人在毫无心理准备下，突然遭受凌厉的攻击，他的本能反应最能表露一个人的灵性实况了。但是约伯是一个强者，他知道一切都是从神而来，他称颂神，并且不犯罪，也不以神为愚妄，就是口不出恶言，他信任神。

总结：因为缺乏认识神，所以少了对神的爱与信任。
约伯记帮助我们更认识神，也不断让我们去思考与默想我们的生命。在遇到很艰难的事情的时候，我们对神的第一反应会是怎么样呢？

Job Chapter 1: Knowing Him Better
GK611 Morning Devotion
12/12/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Co-worker Asher Chang

Introduction: Do good people get good rewards, or simple person gets simple blessings?

1. God is proud of those who fear Him (V1-5)

God described Job as a perfectly upright man who feared Him and shunned evil. God valued Job very much because he feared God. Although he already had a prosperous life that was envied by everyone, he still took on the duties of a priest, offering sacrifices to God and seeking forgiveness for the sins he and his family had committed. Therefore, it is not that Job is guiltless. He did this out of love and trust in God, and out of a heart that loved God.

God attaches great importance to whether we fear Him, because God’s glory is revealed in us and whether we belong to God or the devil. Job was a completely upright and honest man. He feared God, valued God, feared God, and did not dare to offend God. He put God at the centre of all his decisions and used God as the motive for his decisions.

2. Satan will challenge God (V6-12)

God was proud of Job, but Satan was not. It keeps walking around on the earth. It is dissatisfied with God and wants to use the weaknesses of people on the earth to accuse God. We must pay attention to the enemy’s attacks, prepare ourselves to suffer like Job, and face everything joyfully. We must always be on guard because there is a war in heaven.

The enemy often tempts and attacks us, trying to use us to complain about God. But we must believe that God is still sovereign. Without God’s permission, nothing will happen, because the devil can’t do anything but walk around. Our lives and everything are in God’s hands, the devil’s tricks are just empty tricks, and we must keep our faith.

3. People who fear God also have challenges (V13-22)

(1) Satan’s relentless attack (V13-19)
The devil caused Job’s property to disappear overnight, and all his children were killed. These things happened very quickly, and at the same time, leaving no room for the other party to breathe. The purpose of the devil is to confuse people and undermine their focus and confidence in God.

(2) God-fearing people respond (V20-22)
“The sky has unexpected events, and people have misfortunes and blessings.” When a person is suddenly attacked violently without any mental preparation, his instinctive reaction can best reveal a person’s spiritual reality. But Job was a strong man. He knew that everything came from God. He praised God and did not sin. He did not think God was foolish. He did not speak evil words. He trusted God.

Conclusion: Because of the lack of knowledge of God, there is a lack of love and trust in God.
The book of Job helps us know God better and constantly makes us think and meditate on our lives. When we encounter very difficult things, what is our first reaction to God?

引言：最美的话

“我有的就是你的。” 这一句话或许是丈夫和太太们最喜欢听的话，因为爱所以愿意全然摆上。今天，如果我们说我们属于神的，我们是神的新妇，我们的生命可以为神全然摆上吗？

一、全地都是神所造的 (V1-2)

地和其中所有的一切及海和其中所有的一切都是属于耶和华的，全世界和住在其中的活物都属于耶和华！包括其中所充满的人也是属于祂的。

大卫一开始就宣告了全地都是属于耶和华，帮助每一位敬拜者都能在敬拜之前，重新聚焦于神伟大的爱。所以我们都是属于耶和华的，不管人是否认识祂，我们都是祂所创造的。

二、属神子民登神的山 (V3-6)

1. 心与灵属于神（V3-4）

“谁能登耶和华的山？谁能站在祂的圣所？”（V3） 山和圣所是指锡安山和会幕，象征与神亲近的地方。“就是手洁心清，不向虚妄，起誓不怀诡诈的人。”（V4），心和灵单单属于耶和华的人就能登祂的山和祂的圣所。

2. 寻求耶和华的族类 （V5-6）

手洁心清的人，也就是单单属于神的人，一方面蒙神赐福，同时也要有信心的表现，成为寻求耶和华的一代，要见神的面并单单敬拜祂。拥有这样的心的人，神就使他得福、使他为义，就可以登耶和华的山。

三、我们的神有能有力（V7-10）

当年大卫迎接约柜进耶路撒冷的时候，约柜代表那荣耀的王耶和华。即便是永久的门户，就是那久闭的心门，今天要大大敞开，迎接那荣耀的王！

当我们敬拜神，迎接神，活出属神的生命的时候，我们周围的人都可以看见我们的神是有能有力的神。他们的心门，也要为耶稣而打开！

总结：我们单单属于神

我们并不是指没有罪，而是我们有罪可以来到神面前承认，神就赦免我们的罪，用救恩为我们披上光明洁白的细麻衣。这就如我们成为顺服的新妇，我们的心就不再属于世界，而是单单属于神！

Psalm 24 We belong to the Lord
GK611 Morning Devotion
08/12/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Co-worker Asher Chang

Introduction: The most beautiful words

“What I have is yours.” This phrase is perhaps the most favourite words for husbands and wives to hear, willing to lay it all on the line because of love. Today, if we say that we belong to God and that we are His bride, can we lay down our lives wholly for God?

1. All the earth is God’s creation (V1-2)

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein! Including the people filled therein also belong to Him.

David begins by declaring that all the earth belongs to the Lord, helping every worshipper to refocus on God’s great love before they worship. So we all belong to the Lord, and we are His creation whether man knows Him or not.

2. God’s People climb the mountain of God (V3-6)

(1) Heart and Spirit Belong to God (V3-4)

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?” (V3) He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. (V4), Those whose hearts and spirits belong to the Lord alone can ascend His mountain and His sanctuary.

(2) The generation who seeks after God (V5-6)

Those with clean hands and a pure heart, that is, those who belong to God alone, are blessed by God on the one hand, but at the same time, they must also have a manifestation of faith and become a generation that seeks the Lord, that will see His face and worship Him alone. He who has such a heart, God will bless and justify him, and he will be able to ascend the mountain of the Lord.

(3) Our God is able and powerful (V7-10)

When David welcomed the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the Ark represented Jehovah, the King of Glory. Even the everlasting doors, the door of the heart that has been closed for a long time, will be greatly opened today to receive that King of Glory!

As we worship God, welcome Him, and live Godly lives, those around us can see that our God is a powerful and mighty God. The doors of their hearts, too, will be opened for Jesus!

Conclusion: We belong to God alone

We do not mean that we are without sin, but that we have sin and can come to God and confess it, and He forgives us our sins and clothes us with the fine linen, clean and bright, with salvation. It is as if we have become an obedient bride, and our hearts no longer belong to the world, but to God alone!

引言：

大卫少年时放过羊。他根据自己的经历，把主描写成一位牧羊人，见证耶和华神对他自始至终的眷顾、引领、保护、供应赐福。

一、供应我的需要（v1-2）

因着我们与神的关系，他必会引导、保护我们，与我们同在，供给我们一切的需要。而且，神的供应是及时的，是丰盛的，是超过人所想所求的。因此，我们必不致缺乏。

另外，祂使我们躺卧在青草地上，代表祂要让我们得到心灵的安息。祂也要领我们到可安歇的水边，使我们不干渴，可以得生命的活水。

二、引导我走义路（v3-4）

大卫一生也多经患难，行过死荫的幽谷，被扫罗追杀、被自己的儿子追杀、被手下人反叛，但都蒙神特别的保守。因此他经历是神「使我躺卧在青草地上，领我在可安歇的水边」，而且「你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我」，「因为你与我同在」。 这是他很深刻的经历。

我们要如何在艰难中，还是可以得胜呢？我们在艰难中要相信「耶和华是我的牧者」。在信靠当中，也许现实环境没有变，但我们的灵里却有平安、有力量。

三、保护我不受害（v5-6）

每一次，当我们经过「死荫的幽谷」，都让我们经历神的信实和大能，生命得着了一次更新和建造。大卫一生征战，他也经过无数次的死荫的幽谷，因为有许多敌人要寻索他的命。但神却为他摆设筵席，亲自保护他，抬举他，尊荣他，并膏立他为以色列之君。

当我们可以看见每一次我们所经历的不好的际遇都有神的恩惠和慈爱随着我们，我们就要住在神的殿中，赞美祂、敬拜祂，永远与祂一起。

总结：认定我们的大牧者

弟兄姐妹，我们认识我们的大牧者吗？主是好牧人，祂会在我们前面为我们引导正路并保护我们免受敌人的攻击，使我们不需要害怕面对灾害。因此，我们要认定祂是我们的大牧者，在患难中信靠祂，并相信必有神美好的心意在其中，使我们一生一世都有祂的恩惠慈爱随着我们！

Psalm 23 Our Great Shepherd
GK611 Morning Devotion
07/12/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Stella Ling

Introduction:

As a teenager, David tended his sheep. Based on his own experience, he depicted the Lord as a shepherd, testifying to the Lord God’s favour, guidance, protection, and provision of blessings to him from the beginning to the end.

1. Provide for my needs (v1-2)

Because of our relationship with God, He will guide and protect us, be with us, and provide for all our needs. Moreover, God’s provision is timely and abundant, exceeding all that man can think or ask. Therefore, we shall not lack.

Furthermore, He causes us to lie down in green pastures, representing that He will give us rest for our souls. He will also lead us to waters where we can rest, so that we will not thirst, but may have the living water of life.

2. Lead me in the way of righteousness (v3-4)

David’s life was full of troubles, he walked through the valley of the shadow of death, he was pursued by Saul, he was pursued by his own son, he was pursued by his own men, and he was rebelled against by his own men, but all of these times he was preserved by God in a special way. Therefore, he experienced that God “made me lie down in green pastures, and led me beside the still waters”, and “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”, “for You are with me;”. This was a very profound experience for him.

How do we overcome in the midst of hardship? In the midst of hardship, we have to trust that “the Lord is my shepherd”. In the midst of trust, the reality may not change, but we have peace and strength in our spirit.

3. Protect me from harm (v5-6)

Each time we pass through the “valley of the shadow of death”, we experience the faithfulness and power of God, and our lives are renewed and built up. Throughout David’s life of warfare, he passed through the valley of the shadow of death countless times, for many of his enemies sought his life. But God made a feast for him, protected him, lifted him up, honoured him, and anointed him king of Israel.

When we can see that every bad encounter we go through has God’s goodness and love with us, we will dwell in the house of God, praising Him, worshiping Him, and being with Him forever.

Conclusion: Acknowledging our Great Shepherd

Brothers and sisters, do we know our Great Shepherd? The Lord is the Good Shepherd who will go before us to guide us on the right path and protect us from the attacks of our enemies, so that we do not need to be afraid to face disasters. Therefore, we need to acknowledge Him as our Great Shepherd, trust Him in times of trouble, and believe that God’s goodness will be in it, so that His goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives!

引言：

伯利恒的牧羊人大卫······，很明白什么是代罪羔羊。因为伯利恒是专门出产完美无瑕疵的羔羊，作为代罪献祭之用。不料，圣灵就用大卫的经历写下这首弥赛亚之歌。

一、遭神离弃之痛苦（22:1-2）

马太福音 27:46 约在申初，耶稣大声喊着说：“以利，以利！拉马撒巴各大尼？”就是说：“我的　神，我的神！为什么离弃我？”

大卫受苦中写下这诗篇，原来是在预表基督受苦成为代罪的羔羊。

当神要人经历不住的祷告，昼夜的祷告时会怎么做呢？其中一个方法是让人感觉神已经离开了自己。原来只有信心的坚持才是神迹的媒介。这就难怪神没有立刻成就神儿女们的祷告。

二、苦中赞美神宝座（22:3-5）

自古以来神的子民不断在面对仇敌的侵略，因此他们学会依靠神，呼求神，甚至是不断赞美神；因为他们已经发现赞美是带下神的宝座，或者把人带到神的宝座前。意思说一切都由神掌管，神作主，结果是必然得胜。我们要得着的信仰经历不正是如此吗？以赞美来祷神的宝座前，有神就必得胜。

三、代罪羔羊被藐视（22:6-8）

马太福音 27:40 “你这拆毁圣殿，三日又建造起来的，可以救自己吧！你如果是神的儿子，就从十字架上下来吧！”

受苦的仆人耶稣基督，存心降卑，取了人的样式。被无知的人轻看、藐视、羞辱。然而他知道自己是谁？因此他不在乎眼前的羞辱，一心只想完全父神的旨意，成为代罪的羔羊。我们如果明白神的心意，只要按照神的心意做事，结果如何都已经不成为影响。

四、羔羊受屈遭凌辱（22:9-18）

路加福音 23:34 当下耶稣说：“父啊，赦免他们！因为他们所作的，他们不晓得。”兵丁就拈阄分他的衣服。

大卫的人生际遇有一段刻骨铭心的经历，义人受苦遭恶人凌辱。恰恰好大卫把这种体会和经历写下俩的时候，原来这正是成为预言耶稣基督受辱的际遇。十字架是最大的苦难和凌辱，也是最大的喜乐与荣耀，这是人生的突破与得胜的奥秘！

五、羔羊成为拯救主（22:19-31）

1.救我脱离伤害（V19-21）

认定神是拯救者，神要救我脱离一切仇敌的伤害！人就是要经历求告主。

2.成为我所传扬（V22-23）

当人经历神的真实后，必然主动积极的传扬主的名。人要敬畏神而荣耀神，即是不断述说祂的作为。神的救恩于你有多好？就把它见证出来吧！

3.受苦人得饱足（V24-26）

没有【失去】就不知道什么是【得回】！只有愿意谦卑的人才知道什么是饱足？凡事都从神而来，有的就要知足，要懂得凡事都感恩。

4.万族要归顺神（V27-31）

神是万有之主，地上万族都要来敬拜祂。祂要作王管理万国万民，你也是有份在其中吗？

总结：受苦羔羊成为荣耀救主

人生的际遇常是如此：苦尽甘来，最黑暗的经历往往成为将来最荣耀的见证！

Psalm 22 Messiah’s Song: The Suffering Sacrificial Lamb!
GK611 Morning Devotion
6/12/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction:

David ——, the shepherd of Bethlehem, understood well what a scapegoat was. This is because Bethlehem specialises in producing perfect, spotless lambs for use as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin. Unexpectedly, the Holy Spirit used David’s experience to write this Messianic song.

1. The Agony of God’s Abandonment (22:1-2)

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
The fact that David wrote this psalm in the midst of his sufferings was a foreshadowing of Christ’s suffering as the atoning Lamb.
What does God do when He wants people to experience unceasing prayer, day and night? One of the ways is to make people feel that God has left them. It turns out that only the perseverance of faith is the medium of miracles. It is no wonder that God does not immediately fulfill the prayers of God’s children.

2. Praising God’s Throne in Bitterness (22:3-5)

Since the beginning of time God’s people have continually faced the aggression of the enemy, and so they have learned to rely on God, to call upon Him, and even to praise Him continually; for they have discovered that praise is what brings down the throne of God, or brings people to the throne of God. It means that everything is in God’s hands, God reigns, and the result is inevitable victory. Isn’t this exactly the kind of faith experience we are to have? Pray before the throne of God with praise, and with God there will be victory.

3. The Sacrificial Lamb was despised (22:6-8)

Matthew 27:40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
The Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, humbled himself and took on the likeness of men. Despised, scorned and humiliated by the ignorant. Yet he knew who he was? Therefore, he did not care about the immediate humiliation, but only wanted to fulfill the will of God the Father and become the sacrificial lamb. If we understand God’s will, as long as we do things according to God’s will, it will not matter what the outcome is.

4. The Sacrificial Lamb was humiliated (22:9-18)

Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

David’s life was marked by a poignant experience of the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked. It so happened that when David wrote down this experience, it turned out to be the very encounter that became the prophecy of the humiliation of Jesus Christ. The cross is the greatest suffering and humiliation, but also the greatest joy and glory, which is the breakthrough of life and the mystery of victory!

5. The Sacrificial Lamb becomes the Saviour (22:19-31)

(1) Delivering me from harm (V19-21)

Acknowledging God as the Deliverer, God will deliver me from all the harm of the enemy! Man is to experience seeking the Lord.

(2) Becoming what I preach (V22-23)

When man experiences the reality of God, he is bound to proactively and positively proclaim the name of the Lord. Man is to honour God by fearing Him, that is, by continually recounting His works. How good is God’s salvation for you? Witness it!

(3) The Sufferer is Satisfied (V24-26)

One does not know what it is to [gain back] without [losing]! Only those who are willing to humble themselves know what the fullness is? All things come from God, so be content with what you have, and know how to be thankful for all things.

(4) All nations must submit to God (V27-31)

God is the Lord of all, and all the tribes of the earth will come to worship Him. He will reign over all nations and peoples. Are you a part of this?

Conclusion: The suffering Sacrificial Lamb becomes the glorious Saviour

Life is often like this: the darkest experiences often become the most glorious testimonies of the future!

引言：谋事在人，成事在神。

诗篇21篇是大卫王从战争凯旋归来，与百姓一同向神献上感恩的凯歌。

一、感谢神的厚恩美福（V1-7）

1.因神救恩王喜乐（V1）

2.神应允王的祷告（V2）

3.神以美福迎接王（V3）

4.神赐王日子长久（V4）

5.神使王永有洪福（V5-6）

从大卫的感恩，提醒我们要常常数算神的恩典，感谢神在我们生命当中的奇妙作为！大卫的感恩和喜乐，是因为他拥有神，而且他坚定信靠神–因至高者的慈爱必不摇动！大卫明白，王能够不摇动，是因着至高者的慈爱！

这也是我们要明白的，今天我们能够蒙福站立，也是因着至高者的慈爱！那明天我们跌倒的时候，就不会绝望！因为我们或躺卧、或起来，都是因着至高者；我纵然今天跌倒，让我站立的慈爱神仍然会牵扶我起来！并要以美福在前面迎接我！

二、相信神必搜灭仇敌（V8-12）

神的话语一直重申，神的慈爱恩典与公义的审判，都是永不改变的！所以大卫相信神必要‘搜出’和‘灭绝’一切与祂为敌的，包括他们的后裔。所以我们要恨恶罪，因为所有罪都是与神为敌的，它会拉着我们远离神！我们更要学会亲近神、倚靠神、敬畏神，就可以一直面对慈爱与恩典的神！

这里大卫不是说‘我的仇敌’，而是说‘你的手要搜出你的一切仇敌。’大卫是以神的仇敌为仇敌，而不是以自己肉体和血气的仇敌为仇敌，所以他才会如此的祷告！大卫的祷告值得我们学习，我们看见的仇敌，应当是那些抵挡神、亵渎神的人与事，而不是得罪我们的某人或某事。

总结：王和百姓同颂赞神（V13）

战争的胜利，使大卫的信心越发加增，众百姓也越发感恩和信靠主。大卫身为王他知道，是神要因自己的能力显为至高，不是因王的能力，王的能力都是从神出来的；所以王要负责带领众民唱诗赞美神。所以一个王，是带领众民信靠神的，才是真正的王！

这也告诉我们，我们每个人都会有一个可能的带领的位置：做母亲的要带领孩子，做父亲的要带领家，在职场的也可能在事业中要带领一些人，在教会服事的可能要带领自己需要服侍的对象……怎么做呢？把人带到主那里，让人经历神！颂赞神！

Psalm 21 King David’s Song of Victory
GK611 Morning Devotion
05/12/2023
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Daniel Kew

Introduction: Men plan things, but God accomplish them.

Psalm 21 is a song of thanksgiving to God by King David after his triumphant return from war.

1. Thank God for His blessings (V1-7)

(1) Rejoice because of God’s salvation (V1)

(2) God answered the king’s prayer (V2)

(3) God welcomes the king with good blessings (V3)
(4) God gives the king long days (V4)

(5) God makes the king eternally blessed (V5-6)

David’s thanksgiving reminds us to always count God’s grace and thank God for His wonderful deeds in our lives! David’s gratitude and joy were because he had God and his firm trust in God – because the love of the Most High will not waver! David understood that the reason why the king could not be shaken was because of the love of the Most High!

This is what we need to understand. We can stand blessed today because of the love of the Most High! Then when we fall tomorrow, we won’t despair! Because whether we lie down or rise, it is because of the Most High; even if we fall today, the loving God who makes us stand will still hold us up! And greet us with good blessings ahead!

2. Believe that God will search out and destroy enemies (V8-12)

God’s words have always reiterated that God’s loving grace and righteous judgment will never change! Therefore, David believed that God would “find” and “destroy” all those who were enemies of Him, including their descendants. Therefore, we must hate sin because all sin is enmity to God and will pull us away from God! We must also learn to get close to God, rely on God, and fear God so that we can always face the God of love and grace!

David here does not say ‘my enemies’, but ‘your hands shall search out all your enemies.’ David regarded the enemies of God as his enemies, not the enemies of his flesh and blood, so he prayed like this! David’s prayer is worth learning from. The enemies we see should be those people and things that resist and blaspheme God, not someone or something that offends us.

Conclusion: The king and the people praised God together (V13)

The victory in the war increased David’s faith, and the people became more grateful and trusting in the Lord. As a king, David knew that it was God who would be supreme because of His power, not the king’s power. The king’s power came from God. Therefore, the king was responsible for leading the people to sing worship songs to praise God, a king who leads the people to trust in God is the real king!

This also tells us that each of us will have a possible leadership position: a mother will lead her children, a father will lead his family, someone in the workplace may lead some people in his career, those who serve in the church may have to lead those they need to serve….how to do it? Bring people to the Lord and let them experience God! Praise God!