双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：8 月 27 日 末了仇敌

8 月 27 日

末了仇敌

尽末了所毁灭的仇敌，就是死。

哥林多前书 15:26

圣经说死是一种离别。当保罗走近死荫幽谷时，他没有恐惧战兢；相反的，他带着胜利的喜悦宣告：“我离世的时候到了”（提摩太后书 4:6）。

“离世”一词字面的意思是拔锚起航。死之前发生的一切都是为旅程做准备。死标志着开始，而不是结束。在我们通往上帝的旅程中，死是庄严而激动人心的一步。

我曾多次向我的妻子和孩子们道别，这带来了一丝伤感，但我盼望着我们再相见。与此同时，爱的火焰在我们心中熊熊燃烧着。

当信徒站在已与主同在的亲人的坟墓前时，他的盼望也是如此。和保罗一样，他知道，“祂能保全我所交付祂的，直到那日”（提摩太后书 1:12）。他说“再见”，只等到黑夜消散， 破晓来临。

今日祷告：

天父，在耶稣里，你已经得胜了死亡。因此，你给了我们盼望，我们为此而欢欣鼓舞；奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。

August 27

THE LAST ENEMY

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

The Bible speaks of death as a departure. When Paul approached the valley of the shadow of death he did not shudder with fear; rather he announced with a note of triumph, “The time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6).

The word “departure” literally means to pull up anchor and to set sail. Everything which happens prior to death is a preparation for the journey. Death marks the beginning, not the end. It is a solemn, dramatic step in our journey to God.

Many times I have said farewell to my wife and children as it brings a tinge of sadness, but there is the high hope that we shall meet again. In the meantime the flame of love burns brightly in her heart and in mine.

So is the hope of the believing Christian as he stands at the grave of a loved one who is with the Lord. He knows, as did Paul, that “He is able to keep that which [he has] committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). He says “Goodbye,” but only until the day breaks and the shadows flee away.

Pray for the Day:

Father, in Jesus, You have conquered death. So You have given us hope, and in this we rejoice; in Jesus’ Name, Amen.