Month: January 2024

31/01/2024

引言：

见义勇为，打抱不平都是江湖侠客的英勇表现。但是，对于血气冲动的反应又是如何呢？

一、义人约伯真自义吗？（约伯 31）

1.发誓表明自己心无欲念（31:1-12）

男人难免有对异性的眼目情欲，但是约伯曾严肃的为自己的眼目立志，绝不以情欲的眼睛看女子。因为全能者在看，作孽的岂能逃罪呢？但是我敢起誓保证，我绝不是作恶事的人。第6节的意思是‘愿神把我放在公平的天平上，祂会显明我无罪。’义人约伯甚至发誓表明自己的为人，若有对妇人的淫乱意念、若有私心或偏差，他愿意承担一切都亏损；甚至妻子被别人占有、自己承受所有亏损，以至于死都是应该的。

约伯这样形容自己只有两个可能：他是彻彻底底的无知说谎者？否则就是完全正直的义人？
我们能够像约伯那样形容自己吗？求主赦罪我们的过犯，如果我们不敢像约伯这样坦然面对神，就是说我们确实有当悔改之处不是吗？

2.凛然表白待人一视同仁（31:13-22）

面对我们的佣人下属对自己有不满时，我们如果轻视他们、不理会他们，神会怎么看我们？我们怎么向神交账呢？彼此都是神所造的人。我若不怜悯寡妇、孤儿或贫寒的，不与他们分享食物、不和有需要的人分享我有的资源，愿我的手臂折断，肩膀脱落。那是生不如死的痛苦不是吗？

如果约伯的为人真是如此，他就真是一位具备荣神益人的大慈善家。约伯真是这样的人吗？神确实是以这样的形容来描述他（伯2:8）。我们是这样的人吗？求圣灵光照我们···。

3.知神法则自认清白敬虔（31:23-28）

有谁不怕神降灾祸呢？作恶的难免受罚。通常人会仗着自己有钱就骄傲自大，约伯表明他并不是这样的人。有人敬拜日月，崇拜天象而不是对准真神，这都是背弃神的罪，都是该受审判的。这话足以表明约伯的敬虔与为人的清白。

富裕的弟兄姐妹们啊！我们要加倍的留心自己的处事待人，特别是内里的心态。要持守谦卑，常常感恩，因为知道一切都是出自神的恩典与怜悯。

4.坦然对主何罪之有（31:29-40）

约伯不曾对恶人遭报就幸灾乐祸，也不让自己的口说咒诅的话。和他工作过的人都会知道他如何接待客旅，善待他人。如果有人可以列出他的罪状，他愿意把这些罪状穿在身上让神来秉公审判。我若占过他人的便宜，愿自己的一切都遭咒诅。试想想约伯如果不是义人，他怎么敢如此咒诅自己呢？

你是完全人吗？如果不是，我们就在自己所不足之处悔改吧！

二、血气青年更有义吗？（约伯 32）

1.晚辈不服约伯是义人（32:1-5）

很显然约伯的三位朋友不信约伯所说的，而且断定约伯真是非常的自义，就干脆闭口不言了。可是这时另一个年轻的晚辈以利户，已经按耐不住内心的怒火。他不止恼怒约伯，也气三个朋友的词穷，怎么没话可以应对约伯了呢？但是，以利户心中断定约伯是犯罪的。

以利户表面上看是通情达理的人，但是年轻气盛的他就是不服于说不过约伯，这其实已经显示了他的生命的问题。

2.意气用事只因不服输（32:6-15）

年轻的以利户似乎很有礼貌，懂得敬老尊贤。但是灵里面却是另有一种截然不同的观点，若是单从下面几章经文所记载的言语，说来头头是道，确实有理。然而人的毛病常常就是以自己所知道的，去判断自己所不知道的。人不明白神有更高的智慧是人所不知道的。然而以利户的意气用事却显示他年轻气盛的不服输！

3.灵被激动则不吐不快（32:16-22）

以利户表示他已经忍耐了很久，内心已经快要爆炸，因为他完全否定眼前四位老人的长篇大论，因此预备要高谈阔论一番。并且说了很多好听的前言，心里所预备要开炮反攻，按自己的理解，要用言语制服众人。这是能言善道的年轻人可能会范的毛病喔！年轻人可要留心，谦卑才是神的法则。

总结：要心存谦卑聆听

有见识的人、会说话的人、属血气的人总喜欢参与发言。甚至为对抗而对抗，要留心，到底神更喜悦我们什么？如何待人？尤其是面对受苦难的人！

Job 31-32 Showing Loyalty or out of flesh
GK611 Morning Devotion
31 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction:

Seeing justice and fighting for it are all signs of valor for a jungle warrior. But what is the response to the impulse out of flesh?

1. Was the righteous man Job truly self-righteous? (Job 31)

(1) Swear to show that his heart is free from lust (31:1-12)

It is inevitable for a man to have lustful eyes for the opposite sex, but Job had made a solemn vow for his eyes that he would never look at a woman with lustful eyes. For the Almighty is watching; shall he who sins escape his sin? But I swear and promise that I will never be a doer of evil. Verse 6 means ‘Let me be weighed on honest scales,That God may know my integrity.’ Righteous Job even swore that he would be willing to bear all the loss if he had any lustful thoughts about a woman, if he had any selfishness or deviation; even if his wife was possessed by someone else and he himself suffered all the loss to the point of death as he deserved.

There are only two possibilities for Job to describe himself in this way: Was he a complete ignorant liar? Or else a perfectly righteous man?
Can we describe ourselves as Job did? Forgive us for our trespasses. If we are afraid to face God as Job did, then we do have something to repent of, don’t we?

(2) Sternly confess that you treat everyone equally (31:13-22)

When we face our servants and subordinates who have grievances against us, if we despise them and ignore them, what will God think of us? How are we going to settle our accounts with God? We are all God’s creations. May my arm be broken and my shoulder fall off if I do not have compassion on the widow, the orphan or the poor and share my food with them and the resources I have with the needy. That’s pain worse than death isn’t it?

If this was true of Job’s character, he was truly a great philanthropist with the ability to glorify God and benefit others. Was Job really such a person? God did describe him in this way (Psalm 2:8). Are we such people? Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us—.

(3) Know God’s law and recognise yourself as innocent and godly (31:23-28)

Who is not afraid of God’s plagues? Those who do evil are inevitably punished. Often people are proud and arrogant because they are rich, but Job showed that he was not one of those people. Anyone who worships the sun and the moon, and worships the heavens instead of the true God, is guilty of apostasy and deserves judgment. These words were enough to show Job’s godliness and innocence as a man.

O rich brothers and sisters! Let us be doubly careful how we conduct ourselves, especially in our hearts. Be humble, and always thankful, knowing that everything comes from God’s grace and mercy.

(4) What is the issue of being open to the Lord (31:29-40)

Job did not gloat over the retribution of the wicked, nor did he allow his mouth to speak curses. Anyone who worked with him would know how he received travellers and treated others well. If anyone could list his sins, he was willing to wear them on his body for God’s impartial judgment. If I have taken advantage of another, may I be cursed in all my ways. Imagine how Job would have dared to curse himself so much if he had not been righteous.

Are you a perfect man? If not, let us repent of our shortcomings!

2. Are the fleshly young men more righteous? (Job 32)

(1) The junior was not convinced that Job was righteous (32:1-5)

Apparently Job’s three friends did not believe what Job said, and concluded that Job was really very self-righteous, so they simply kept their mouths shut. But by this time Elihu, another young man, could no longer hold back his inner rage. He was not only angry with Job, but he was also angry with his three friends for their lack of words, so he had nothing to say to Job. However, Elihu concluded in his heart that Job had sinned.

Elihu appeared to be a reasonable man, but his youthful exuberance just wasn’t convinced that he couldn’t beat Job, which actually showed the problem in his life.

(2) Impulsiveness just because reluctant to admit defeat (32:6-15)

The young Elihu seems to have been very polite, and knew how to honour the old and the wise. But his spirit had a different viewpoint, and the words recorded in the following chapters, if taken alone, make perfect sense and are indeed reasonable. However, it is often the fault of man to judge what he does not know by what he does know. Man does not realise that God has a higher wisdom that man does not know. Yet Elihu’s spiritedness showed his youthful vigor and reluctant to admit defeat!

(3) If the spirit is agitated then he will pour out his mind (32:16-22)

Elihu showed that he had been patient for a long time, and that his heart was about to explode, for he had completely rejected the long speeches of the four old men before him, and was therefore ready to speak at length. And he spoke many good preliminaries, and prepared in his heart to fire a counterattack, and to subdue the multitude with words, according to his own understanding. This is a problem that young people who are eloquent in their speech may have! Young people should take note that humility is God’s law.

Conclusion: Listen with humility!

The insightful, the talkative, and the natural man always like to get involved in the conversation. Even attacking for the sake of attacking. Be careful, what is God more pleased with us? How to treat others? Especially to those who are suffering!

30/01/2024

一、从前蒙福 因有神保守（伯29）

1.神做我良朋密友（V1-4）

约伯首先想到的是神与他之间的亲密关系。因为约伯知道过去的蒙福，都是因为有神的保守。

2.家庭幸福又兴旺（V5-6）

约伯儿女围绕绕膝，经济富裕，因为有神的同在。

3.德高望重受尊敬（V7-11）

那时所有的人都静默地听约伯说话，并非因为害怕约伯，而是尊敬有智慧的约伯。

4.成为他人的祝福（V12-25）

约伯乐善好施，关爱孤儿寡妇，主持公道，他的话语鼓励安慰人，成为他人的祝福。

小结:

约伯的回顾是一篇感恩清单，他知道一切蒙福的原因，就是有神同在！蒙神保守！所以，我们要记得一生中所有的蒙福都是来自神，如此我们才能够警醒并感恩神时刻的同在与保守！

二、今非昔比 因神有美意（伯30）

1.成为公众的羞辱（V1-15）

约伯感叹自己曾经备受众人的尊敬，如今却变成为了被公众羞辱和拒绝的人。

2.遭受神变心追逼（V16-23）

约伯继续向神抱怨，觉得神向他变心追逼他，要使他死亡，认为他的苦难是从神而来的。但这是约伯基于理性的错误论断。

3. 琴箫声变悲哭声（V24-31）

约伯感歎以往顾念痛苦者，如今神和人都不理会他，使他的生命因苦难而变调，欢乐的琴音箫声变成悲哀的哭声。

小结：

神考验约伯是有祂的美意：为了让约伯对神有更深的认识和信靠！其实很常变心的是人而不是神！神借着各样的环境，就是要操练我们的心，因为人最不容易战胜的就是自己的心；别人对我们的评价虽然对身体不痛不痒，但是它却进到我们的心里影响我们，所以真理说：你要保守你的心，胜过保守一切。

总结：神永远与我们同在！

受苦难绝非神唾弃我们。神是要我们在考验中，将焦点从人的身上转向神，数算神的恩典，打破我们的自我自怜，建立对神的信心，经历信实的神是昔在、今在、永远与我们同在的神！

Job 29-30 God of the past, present and future is with us
GK611 Morning Devotion
30 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel Kew

1. Blessing in the past due to God’s protection (Job 29)

(1) God is my good friend (V1-4)

Job’s first thought was about God’s intimate relationship with him. Because Job knew that his past blessings were all due to God’s protection.

(2) The family is happy and prosperous (V5-6)

Job’s children surrounded him and he was financially prosperous because God is with him.

(3) Honourable character and being respected (V7-11)

At that time, everyone listened to Job in silence, not because they were afraid of Job, but because they respected the wise Job.

(4) Be a blessing to others (V12-25)

Job was philanthropic, caring for orphans and widows, and upholding justice. His words encouraged and comforted people and became a blessing to others.

Summary:

The review of Job is a list of thanksgiving. He knew that the reason for all the blessings was the presence of God! Protected by God!

Therefore, we must remember that all blessings in life come from God so that we can be alert and grateful for God’s presence and protection at all times!

2. The present is not what it used to be because God has a good intention (Job 30)

(1) Becoming a public humiliation (V1-15)

Job lamented that he was once respected by everyone, but now he has become a person who is humiliated and rejected by the public.

(2) Being chased by God’s changing heart (V16-23)

Job continued to complain to God, feeling that God had changed his mind and was pursuing him to kill him, thinking that his sufferings came from God. But this is Job’s wrong judgment based on reasoning.

(3) The sound of the piano and flute turned into the sound of weeping (V24-31)

Job lamented that in the past he cared about those who suffered, but now God and man ignored him, causing his life to change its tone due to suffering, and the joyful music of harps and flutes turned into sad cries.

Summary：

God tested Job for His good purpose: for Job to have a deeper understanding and trust in God! It is people, not God, who often change their minds! God uses various environments to train our hearts because the hardest thing for people to conquer is their hearts. Although other people’s evaluations of us may not hurt our bodies, they enter our hearts and affect us. So, the truth says: You must guard your heart more than anything else.

Conclusion: God is always with us!

Suffering does not mean that God spurns us. God wants us to turn our focus from humans to God during trials, count God’s grace, break our self-pity, build faith in God, and experience that the faithful God is with us in the past, today, and forever. God is with us!

26/01/2024

引言：智慧宝典

一、以矿石野兽来比喻（V1-11）

约伯在他的智慧之诗里表达不管是在地上里的银子、金、铁或是铜，一切走兽不管鸟、鹰、野兽、狮子，都不知道怎样取得，唯有人才有聪明智慧去想办法取得一切宝物。

这显明人的聪明和勇气胜过其他的受造之物，但即便是这样人仍然没办法寻见智慧。

二、智慧是无价之宝

1. 智慧价值极其宝贵（V12-14）

约伯诗歌里提到智慧有何处可寻？聪明之处在哪里呢？这里就好像带出一个一个结论，因为人虽然在地上取得的宝物就好像是世上最宝贵的东西，但是却不能靠自己的能力找到智慧。

2. 智慧价值无物相比 （V15-19）

约伯记继续说到智慧的价值，无论是白银、俄斐金、红玛瑙、蓝宝石、黄金、玻璃、珊瑚、水晶、珍珠、红璧玺都不能与智慧相比。这些宝石再宝贵，也无法用宝石换取智慧。智慧比世上的一切都要宝贵。

三、神就是智慧（V20-28）

约伯形容即使是灭没和死亡，都说只是对智慧风闻其名。这表示人没办法用任何通灵邪术在阴间找到智慧。他用了智慧是想一切有生命的眼目隐藏来做比喻，因为人也不能透过宗教哲学或文化艺术中找到智慧。即便看透了世上的生老病死，也没有办法参透智慧，最多也只是风闻其名而已。

神本身就是智慧，因为祂是全知全能的，除非我们认识神，得着神自己，我们得着神，就得着一切。敬畏神就是会恨恶神所恨恶的，敬畏神就得着智慧。神明白智慧的道路，晓得智慧的所在，敬畏神就是智慧。

总结：敬畏主就是智慧；远离恶便是聪明。

Job Chapter 28: The Fear of God is Wisdom
GK611 Morning Devotion
26/1/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Co- worker Asher Chang

Introduction: “Book of Wisdom”

1. Use the metaphor of an ore beast (V1-11)

In his poem of wisdom, Job expresses that no matter whether it is silver, gold, iron or copper on the earth, all animals, including birds, eagles, wild beasts and lions, do not know how to obtain it. Only humans have the knowledge and wisdom to think about it and find the treasures.

This shows that man’s intelligence and courage are superior to those of other creatures, but even so, man still cannot find wisdom.

2. Wisdom is a priceless treasure
(1) Wisdom is extremely valuable (V12-14)
Where is the wisdom found in the poems of Job? Where’s the intelligence? This seems to lead to one conclusion after another because although the treasures obtained by people on earth seem to be the most precious things in the world, they cannot find wisdom by their own abilities.

(2) The value of wisdom is incomparable (V15-19)
The Book of Job continues to speak of the value of wisdom. Neither silver, Ophir gold, onyx, sapphires, gold, glass, coral, crystal, pearls, or rubies can compare with wisdom. No matter how precious these gems are, we cannot exchange gems for wisdom. Wisdom is more precious than anything in the world.

3. God is wisdom (V20-28)
Job described even destruction and death as just hearing the name of wisdom, which means that people cannot use any spiritual sorcery to find wisdom in the underworld. He used the metaphor that wisdom is hidden from the eyes of all living things because people cannot find wisdom through religion, philosophy, culture and art. Even if we can see through life, old age, illness and death in the world, we still cannot understand wisdom. At most, we can only hear its name.

God himself is wisdom because He is omniscient and omnipotent. Unless we know God and gain Him, if we gain God, we will gain everything. To fear God is to hate what God hates and to fear God is to gain wisdom. God understands the way of wisdom and knows where wisdom is. The fear of God is wisdom.
Conclusion: Fearing the Lord is wisdom; shunning evil is wisdom.

25/01/2024

引言：自食其果

一、坚守公义永不松懈（V1-6）

约伯说，神纵使没有以公道公平对待他，使他心中愁苦， 他仍要指着神的名向神起誓：“只要我还活着，鼻孔内还有神赐给我的一口气，就算不能理解神为什么这样对我，我的嘴也绝不说得罪神的话，我的舌头不讲诡诈的言语。”意思就是他依然相信神，不放弃与神的关系

1.约伯不像撒旦所说的与神交换恩典，因为神赐他物质上的丰盛，所以才敬畏神。

2.他也不接纳朋友所建议，为了得回祝福而认罪，以虚假的悔改来欺哄神。

如果今天我们知道神不会改变我们的困境，我们还会坚守对神的正直公义，坚守与神的关系，不妥协于世界的标准？或为了想要得着好处而与神交换恩典？

此外，约伯纵使觉得神夺去我的理，全能者使我心中愁苦，却没有与神断绝关系。今天接着这经文，神也要我们不放弃去修复与人之间任何破损的关系。

二、不做恶人自断神恩（V7-23）

约伯提醒朋友们，如果自己是正义的，他们恶意攻击、冤枉和伤害他，正好证明他们才是恶人。因此就会自造咒诅，断绝了神的恩典。

1.神使恶人失去指望（V8-10）

不敬虔的恶人就算暂得好处，当神来要取命时，什么盼望都没了。不但不会求告神，就是祷告也不蒙垂听。

2.神为恶人所定的份（V11-23）

a）子孙虽多迅速灭绝（V14-15）

儿孙满堂是人福气的象征。但恶人就算儿女很多，还是被杀，有剩下遗留的，也得挨饿。他们要接二连三的被杀。速度极快到连寡妇也来不及举哀。

b）资财为义人所分取（V16-17）

恶人积蓄钱财多如尘沙，衣服多到成堆，但无论预备得再妥当，都要为义人所分取。

今生的富足不要成为我们首要追求的目标。我们要坚定持守神的道，先神后人再大地。并要忠心管理神所赐给我们的产业，作祂金钱的好管家。

c）遭难成众人的笑柄（V20-23）

无论一个人变得多么富有，多么有影响力，多么受人尊敬，如果他作恶藐视神或拒绝神，死亡会像洪水、暴风雨和东风那样来袭，把他卷走。对不敬虔的人来说，死亡只有恐惧。当恶人遭此审判时，人要拍手叫好，他也要成为众人的笑柄。

总结：神是我们的公义

灾难、被逼迫中，无论人如何毁谤，甚至神都不出声，我们依然要相信神是我们的公义。我们需要小心自己的评论。避免像约伯的3位朋友，所批评论断终成为牢笼，使自己失去被宽待的机会，掉入恶人的队伍，失去神的恩典。（太7:1-2）

Job 27 Hold fast to righteousness and keep on God’s grace
GK611 Morning Devotion
25 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Deborah Tan

Introduction: Reap the consequences

1. Holding fast to righteousness and never relenting (v1-6)

Job said that even though God had not dealt with him justly and fairly, and had caused him sorrow in his heart, he still had to swear by God’s name, “As long as my breath is in me, and the breath of God in my nostrils,Even if I can’t understand why God has dealt with me in this way, my mouth will never speak a word that offends God, and my tongue will not speak deceitful words.” It means that he still believed in God and did not give up his relationship with God.

(1) Job did not exchange grace with God as Satan claimed, and feared God because of the material abundance God gave him.

(2) He also did not accept the suggestion of his friends to confess his sins in order to gain back his blessings and deceive God with false repentance.

If we knew today that God would not change our difficulties, would we still hold fast to our integrity and righteousness toward God, to our relationship with Him, and not compromise with the world’s standards? Or would we exchange grace with God for the sake of wanting to gain favour?

Furthermore, Job did not sever his relationship with God even though he felt that God had taken away my reasoning and that the Almighty had grieved my heart. Continuing with this passage today, God also wants us to not give up on repairing any broken relationships with people.

2. Do not be wicked and cut yourself off from God’s favour (v7-23)

Job reminds his friends that if he is righteous, the fact that they malign, wrong and hurt him just proves that they are the wicked ones. Thus one would be creating his own curse and cutting off God’s grace.

(1) God deprives the wicked of hope (v8-10)

The ungodly, even if they are temporarily benefited, have no hope when God comes to take their lives. Not only will he not ask God, but his prayers will not be heard.

(2) God’s portion for the wicked (v11-23)

(a) Though they have many descendants, they will quickly perish (v14-15)

The abundance of children and grandchildren is a symbol of man’s blessing. But the wicked, even though they have many children, are still killed, and those who have any left over to remain will have to starve. They are to be killed one after another. So fast that even the widows will not have time to lift up their mourning.

b) Assets are divided among the righteous (v16-17)

The wicked accumulate money like dust and sand, and clothes like piles, but no matter how well prepared they are, they are to be partaken of by the righteous.

The riches of this life are not to be our primary pursuit. We are to hold firmly to the Word of God, putting God before man and the earth. We are to be faithful stewards of what God has given us, and good stewards of His money.

c) Being afflicted and becoming the laughing stock of all (v20-23)

No matter how rich, influential or respected a person becomes, if he does evil and defies God or rejects Him, death will come as a flood, storm and east wind and sweep him away. To the ungodly, death is nothing but fear. When the wicked is judged in this way, men will clap their hands and he will be the laughing stock of all.

Conclusion: God is our righteousness

In the midst of disaster and persecution, no matter how much man slanders, even if God is silent, we still need to believe that God is our righteousness. We need to be careful about our comments. Avoid being like Job’s 3 friends, who criticised assertions that eventually became a prison, causing themselves to lose the opportunity to be forgiven, to fall into the ranks of the wicked, and to lose God’s grace. (Matt. 7:1-2)

24/01/2024

引言：

无知的人，以为自己什么都知道。
蒙蔽的人，说来头头是道，却不知是与真理背道而驰。
智慧的人，知道自己有许多还不知道的事，但是一心寻求神、认识神。

一、谁是有智慧的呢？（V1-3）

无知又蒙蔽的朋友比勒达不断的在言语上刺激约伯，显然约伯在无奈的反驳中渐渐显露敬畏神的智慧。越是诉说神的权能作为，越是显出真正的智慧。

原本约伯面对身体、心灵、甚至是精神上的多方撞击，苦不堪言。如今许多刺激他的话语，让他不断把焦点转向诉说神的作为。这么一来，不但专注力自然的从自己的痛苦转向神，而且更深述说神的伟大作为，日子当然就更有力量不是吗？

总而言之，能够把焦点越是转向神，这就是越大的得胜。

二、神掌权过于阴间！(V4-6)

约伯要反驳比勒达达指控，于是指出对方所说的算什么呢？人的灵魂从他而来吗？在水源之下的灵魂都要战兢惧怕，因为只有神的权能超越这一切，人算什么呢？

认识神的人和不认识神的人有什么差别呢？如果不认识神，死亡是黑暗、可怕、恐怖、无助、绝望。对比有神的人，死亡是光明、安息、永生、永远的福乐、进入完美的国度。

三、神掌权高于天际！(V7-10)

约伯此时对宇宙奥秘的领受是大而可畏的！无边无际的宇宙被神铺张在不着地的太空中；人所居住的地球也是浮现在空气中。这是什么道理呢？还有力大无穷，足以冲走房屋的大水，怎么可以被包扎在云雾中？光明和黑暗有交界、水面的周围有界限？这一切的理解绝对是超理性的启示，不是人的头脑可以理解和想通的。

在科学家尚未发现地球是圆的、悬挂在没有绳索绑住的半空中，这是什么道理呢？这是《来1:3》所说的，神用祂权能的命令托住万有。这命令被后来的科学家发现时，称之为大气层中的万有引力。一颗重达10亿万亿公吨（10 billion trillion metric tons）重的地球悬挂在无边无际的黑暗中？这是什么道理呢？这是神的创造作品之一。

然而只有在神哪里有光，神顾念世人而赐人日光与月光。想想我们的神有多伟大呢？

四、神掌权涵盖万物！(V11-14)

天的柱子如同世界的高峰，都经不起神的愤怒！神一顿脚、或一个喷嚏！大地就震动，甚至山崩地裂，夷为平地。无论是水中的巨兽、海怪、魔鬼都好，都在神的权柄之下。即使我们看到这么奇妙伟大的作为，其实那都只不过是对神作为的一丁点认识而已。意思说我们从神哪里所听到而了解的都只不过是一个极小部分而已。神若打一个响雷，我们又怎能明白神的意思呢？

总结：神的伟大和人的渺小

当我们越认识神的伟大，就越发现人的渺小；然而这位伟大无比的创造主却是我们的神、爱我们的父！这是何等不可思议的事实啊！能够委身服事如此权能创造主，这是何等荣耀啊！

Job 26 When you know that God is in authority
GK611 Morning Devotion
24 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction：

Ignorant people think they know everything.
He who is blinded says what is right, but he does not know that it is contrary to the truth.
He who is wise knows that there are many things he does not yet know, but he seeks God and knows Him with all his heart.

1. Who is wise? (V1-3)

The ignorant and deluded friend Bildad continually irritated Job verbally, and it was obvious that Job was gradually revealing the wisdom of the fear of God in his helpless retorts. The more he appealed to God’s acts of power, the more true wisdom was revealed.

Originally Job was in agony in the face of multiple blows to his body, mind, and even spirit. Now the many words that stimulated him kept turning his focus to telling of God’s works. In this way, not only is the focus naturally shifted from his own pain to God, but he also speaks more deeply of God’s great works, so of course his days are more powerful, aren’t they?

In short, the more the ability to turn the focus to God, the greater the victory of God.

2. God reigns over Sheol! (V4-6)

Job wants to refute Bildad’s accusation and points out that what does the other person say? Do the souls of men come from him? All souls under the waters shall tremble and fear, for the power of God alone transcends all these things, but what is man?

What is the difference between those who know God and those who do not? Without the knowledge of God, death is darkness, horror, terror, helplessness, and despair. In contrast to those who have God, death is light, rest, eternal life, eternal bliss, and entry into the perfect kingdom.

3. God reigns above the heavens! (V7-10)

Job’s reception of the mysteries of the universe at this time was great and awesome! The boundless universe was spread out by God in unearthly space; and the earth in which man dwells was floating in the air. What truth is this? And how can the waters, which are so powerful that they are strong enough to wash away houses, be encased in clouds? That there is a border between light and darkness, a boundary around the waters? The understanding of all this is definitely a supra-rational revelation, not something the human mind can comprehend or figure out.

What is the reasoning behind the fact that scientists have not yet discovered that the earth is round and suspended in mid-air with no ropes to tie it down? This is what Heb. 1:3 says, that God holds all things together by the command of His power. This command was called gravity in the atmosphere when it was discovered by later scientists. An earth that weighs one billion trillion metric tons (10 billion trillion metric tons) hanging in infinite darkness? What is the rationale for this? This is one of God’s creative works.

Yet there is light only in God, who cares for the world and gives man sunlight and moonlight. Consider how great our God is.

4. God reigns over all things! (V11-14)

The pillars of heaven, like the peaks of the world, cannot withstand the wrath of God! One stroke of God’s foot, or one sneeze! The earth shakes, even mountains fall to the ground and are leveled to the ground. Whether it is the great beasts of the waters, or the sea monsters, or the devils, all are good, and all are under the authority of God. Even when we see such marvelous and great works, it is really just a tiny glimpse of what God does. It means that what we hear from God and understand is only a tiny portion. If God strikes a thunderbolt, how can we understand God’s meaning?

Conclusion: God’s Greatness and Man’s insignificance

The more we realise the greatness of God, the more we realise the insignificance of man; yet this great Creator is our God and loving Father! What an incredible truth this is! What an honour to be committed to serve such a powerful Creator!

23/01/2024

引言：

这是比勒达对约伯最后的发言：他说的每件事其实都是断章取义的真理，不但误称约伯没有希望，更是扭曲了神对人的心意！让我们从比勒达不完全的言论，来全面地认识完全的神！

一、片面高举神—误己误人（V1-3）

1. 神的主权非仅惩罚人（V1-2）

比勒达赞美神的主权，暗示神惩罚约伯是有原因的。比勒达片面地高举神的治理之权，不但自己看不见神慈爱的属性，使神变成可畏不可及，更不能给人任何盼望。

神的治理之权有威严可畏，也有慈爱可亲；祂不但在高处施行和平，也在人间彰显慈爱，使用祂的主权来拯救祂的子民！在祂的权能之下得享真平安！

2. 神的光照并非要定罪（V3）

比勒达接着讲述神的军力无限，大有能力；神的光亮一发，万物无所遁形，祂是全能全知的神！但比勒达说这番话是要告诉约伯，他没有希望了。因为约伯的罪逃不过神的光照，神要用祂的全知全能来审判约伯的罪孽。

其实神光照祂的子民，非要来定人罪，而是出于爱！成为迷失者的指路明灯！要引导和帮助祂的子民，离开罪恶，走在祂的保护之中！

二、过度贬低人—失了神恩（V4-6）

1.在神面前人怎能称义？（V4-5）

比勒达认为没有人能够在神面前称义、洁净，是想暗示约伯没有希望了。

其实，神圣洁并非说人就不可能在神面前称义，反而神的伟大正在于祂愿意亲近人、称人为义，甚至赐下独生子耶稣基督为人而死，使人得以与神和好！叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生！有了对主耶稣的信心，即使是不可能的事，在基督里也会变成可能！

2. 世人都只是如虫如蛆？（V6）

比勒达又说：世人如虫如蛆。但是，我们要分别清楚，说人是虫、是蛆的是比勒达，而不是神。
人的确如虫一样卑微，但人也是神的儿女，是神所创造的、所爱的，是尊贵的！

所以，别因此扭曲了神对我们的心意！神使我们透过耶稣基督的救恩，恢复了父子关系，因为祂非常非常爱我们！所以让我们好好跟随神，活出神孩子的美好价值！

总结：

圣经的主要信息不是在讲人的败坏，圣经教导的中心是‘神爱世人’！要通过主耶稣的救恩，给世人得到救赎！所以，我们要全面地认识完全的神！神是圣洁的，有罪的人不能亲近神；但慈爱的神，怜悯罪人，给人开一条又新又活的路，使信祂的人，得以称义，进到永恒的神国！

Job 25 Comprehensive understanding of the perfect God
GK611 Morning Devotion
23 Jan 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel Kew

Introduction：

This was Bildad’s last speech to Job: Everything he said was the truth taken out of circumstances. Not only did he wrongly say that Job had no hope, but he also distorted God’s intentions for people! Let us gain a comprehensive understanding of the perfect God from Bildad’s incomplete words!

1. One-sided exaltation of God—misleading oneself and others (V1-3)

(1) God’s sovereignty is not limited to punishing people (V1-2)

Bildad praises God’s sovereignty, implying that God punished Job for a reason. Bildad one-sidedly exalted God’s right to govern, not only did he lose sight of God’s loving attributes, but he also made God fearful and unreachable and gave no hope to anyone.

God’s governing authority is both majestic and loving; not only does He enforce peace on high, but He also demonstrates love on earth, using His sovereignty to save His people! Enjoy true peace under His power!

(2) God’s enlightening is not for condemnation (V3)

Bildad went on to talk about God’s infinite military power and great supremacy; when God’s light shines, everything cannot escape it. He is the omnipotent and omniscient God! But Bildad said this to tell Job that there was no hope for him. Because Job’s sins cannot escape God’s enlightenment, God will use His omniscience and omnipotence to judge Job’s sins.

In fact, God’s enlightening of His people does not come to condemn people, but out of love! Be a guiding light to the lost! To guide and help His people to turn away from sin and walk in His protection!

2. Excessively belittling people—losing divine grace (V4-6)

(1) How can man be righteous before God? (V4-5)

Bildad believed that no one is righteous or clean before God, and he wanted to imply that Job had no hope.

God’s holiness does not mean that people can’t be justified before God. Rather, God’s greatness lies in His willingness to get close to people, justify people, and even give His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for people so that people can be reconciled to God! That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life! With faith in the Lord Jesus, even the impossible becomes possible in Christ!

(2) Are all people in the world just like worms and maggots? (V6)

Bildad also said: The people of the world are like worms and maggots. However, we must make a clear distinction. It was Bildad, not God, who called humans worms and maggots.
Humans are indeed as humble as worms, but we are also children of God, created and loved by God, and we are noble!

So, don’t distort God’s intentions for us because of this! God restored our father-son relationship through the salvation of Jesus Christ because He loves us very, very much! So let us follow God closely and live out the beautiful values of God’s children!

Conclusion：

The main message of the Bible is not about the corruption of man. The core of the Bible’s teaching is that ‘God so loved the world’! Through the salvation of the Lord Jesus, the world can be saved! Therefore, we must fully understand the perfect God! God is holy, and sinful people cannot approach God; but the loving God has mercy on sinners and opens a new and living way for people so that those who believe in Him can be justified as righteous and enter the eternal Kingdom of God!