双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：11月14日 天使观看

11月14日

天使观看

你们要追念往日，蒙了光照以后，所忍受大争战的各样苦难；一面被毁谤，遭患难，成了戏景，叫众人观看；一面陪伴那些受这样苦难的人。

希伯来书10:32-33

当上帝的天使们注视着这个时代的戏剧开幕时，他们看到基督教会在世界各地建立和扩展。当他们随着时间的流逝观察时，不会漏掉什么，“为要藉着教会，使天上执政的，掌权的，现在得知神百般的智慧”（以弗所书3:10）。乔比博士提醒我们，“现在”这个词实际上涵盖了整个教会时代的广阔范围。天使们见证了基督教会的形成，并观察了每个信徒的行为，因为主将祂的恩典、爱和能力注入每个人的生命中。此时此刻，天使们在他掌管的各个地方，正亲眼观看真教会的建立。

但是，在我们生活的当今世界，他们怎样看我们呢？他们在观察我们是否信心坚固、行公义？他们或在怀疑我们缺乏委身？从以弗所书3:10中可以明显看出这两种可能性：【目的是】藉着教会，将神百般的、无穷无尽的智慧，现在可以被天上统治、掌权的天使得知。

我们确信天使正在见证我们如何过日子，这应该会对我们所做的决定产生重大影响。上帝正在注视着，祂的天使也是很感兴趣的观众。扩充版圣经哥林多前书4:9这样说：上帝把我们展示出来……在世界露天剧场上表演，人和天使都是【观众】。我们知道他们在观看，但在激烈的争战中，我想如果我们能听到他们的欢呼声，那该有多好啊！

你会怎样呈现自己呢？

今日祷告：

天父，求祢帮助我们度过苦难，帮助我们在天使和观看我们如何回应的人面前，呈现出一个良好的样式；奉耶稣的名，阿们。

November 14

WATCHING OUR WALK

But recall the former days when,after you were enlightened,you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction,and sometimes being partners with those so treated.Hebrews 10:32-33,RSV

As God’s angels have watched the drama of this age unfolding,they have seen the Christian Church established and expanded around the world.They miss nothing as they watch the movements of time,“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God”(Ephesians 3:10).Dr.Joppie reminds us that the word“now”actually covers the vast expanse of this Church age.Angel hosts have witnessed the formation of the Church of Christ Jesus,and have watched the walk of each believer as the Lord worked His grace,love,and power into each life.The angels were observing firsthand the building of the body of the true Church in all places of His dominion this very hour.

But what are they thinking as we live in the world today?Do they observe us as we stand fast in the faith and walk in righteousness?Or may they be wondering at our lack of commitment?These two possibilities seem evident from Ephesians 3:10:“[The purpose is]that through the church the complicated,many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities[principalities and powers]in the heavenly sphere”(AB).

Our certainty that angels right now witness how we are walking through life should mightily influence the decisions we make.God is watching,and His angels are interested spectators,too.The Amplified Bible expresses 1 Corinthians 4:9 this way:“God has made an exhibit of us…a show in the world’s amphitheater-with both men and angels[as spectators].”We know they are watching,but in the heat of the battle,I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering.

What kind of exhibit are you?

Pray for the Day:

Father,we pray that You will help us to work through our sufferings,and help us to be a good display before the angels and also before people who are looking on and seeing how we respond;in Jesus’Name,Amen.