【双语灵修】大光A GREAT LIGHT

「在黑暗中行走的百姓看见了大光；住在死荫之地的人有光照耀他们。」-赛 9:2
昨天，我们讨论了选择生活在「完全的黑暗」中的问题。神为我们提供了一个直接的后续内容。因着神的怜悯，求问死者的阴郁和无望不，会成为他们生命的定论。而是「有光照耀他们。」

请注意这道「大光」所产生的影响。神的子民将欢喜快乐，经文用了许多比喻来形容这种快乐。那压迫他们的将失去权力，用来控制他们的战争工具将被摧毁，所有这些迹象都预示着自由和新生的到来，而这些都是人靠自己的力量无法实现的。神拯救的喜乐和盼望流淌在这预言性的话语中。

此外，神还应许将借着一个婴孩的降生来成就这一切，他的统治将带来永久的平安。死亡曾经玷污了他们所看到的一切，而那些被困在黑暗中的人将看到神复兴国度的来临。为了确保这一点，神宣告说：「万军之耶和华的热心必成就这事。」

在将临期，我们纪念神是如何借着耶稣基督的降生开启和平之治的。我们期待着有一天，神带领我们完全实现这一愿景。

祷告

神啊，感谢祢借着耶稣基督带来祢和平的国度。请以祢恒久的怜悯，将祢的大光照耀所有远离祢、生活在黑暗中的人。阿们。

以赛亚书 9:1-7
1 但那受过痛苦的，必不再见幽暗。从前神使西布伦地和拿弗他利地被藐视，末后却使这沿海的路，约旦河外，外邦人的加利利地，得着荣耀。 2在黑暗中行走的百姓看见了大光，住在死荫之地的人有光照耀他们。 3你使这国民繁多，加增他们的喜乐。他们在你面前欢喜，好像收割的欢喜，像人分掳物那样的快乐。 4 因为他们所负的重轭和肩头上的杖，并欺压他们人的棍，你都已经折断，好像在米甸的日子一样。 5 战士在乱杀之间所穿戴的盔甲，并那滚在血中的衣服，都必作为可烧的，当做火柴。 6 因有一婴孩为我们而生，有一子赐给我们，政权必担在他的肩头上。他名称为奇妙、策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君。 7 他的政权与平安必加增无穷，他必在大卫的宝座上治理他的国，以公平、公义使国坚定稳固，从今直到永远。万军之耶和华的热心必成就这事。

A GREAT LIGHT

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” - Isaiah 9:2

God provides an immediate follow-up to the passage we reflected on yesterday, about choosing to live in “utter darkness.” Because of God’s mercy, the gloom and hopelessness of consulting the dead will not be the final word on their lives. Instead “a light has dawned” on them.

Notice the unfolding impact of this “great light.” God’s people will rejoice in ways that need all kinds of metaphors to describe. Their oppressors will lose their power. The very instruments of war used to control them will be destroyed. All of these signs point to freedom and new life that the people could not achieve on their own. The joyful hope of God’s deliverance flows through this prophetic word.

Further, God promises to do all of this through the birth of a child, whose rule will bring never-ending peace. Where death once tainted everything they saw, the people who are trapped in darkness will see God’s flourishing kingdom coming into view. To make this certain, God declares, “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

During Advent we remember how God started this rule of peace through the birth of Jesus Christ. And we look forward to the day when God will bring us into the fullness of this vision.

Prayer
<p>God, thank you for bringing your kingdom of peace through Jesus Christ. In your continued mercy, please shine your great light on all who live in darkness, apart from you. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳