【双语灵修】有标记的羊TAGGED SHEEP

诗篇 23:3

他使我的灵魂苏醒，为自己的名引导我走义路。

7月10日

有标记的羊

“〔他〕为自己的名引导我走义路。” -诗 23:3

尽管羊的标记方式与牛不同，然而它们确实带有主人的标记，以及其他有助于识别牠们的资讯。

主的羊也带着其牧者的名字。我们是神所钟爱的羊，祂”为自己的名”，给予我们最好的照顾。祂的名声反映在祂看顾我们的所有方式上。

主我们的牧者在何等事情上具有名声呢？神透过祂的话语显明自己时，我们便知道祂是强大而有智慧的、仁慈而全知的、忠实而善良的、宽容而公正的、慈爱而可靠的。神为祂所爱的人的好处作工，这一切以及更多的属性，都在主如何看顾祂的羊表明出来。

我们的牧者不想有任何人怀疑祂是否反复无常或难以捉摸，祂持续和始终如一的看顾这个好名声是重要的，因为祂希望其他的羊也加入祂的羊群。在祂的羊圈里受到的照顾是无可比拟的。尽管迷途的羊受诱惑，想要自力更生，或相信金钱、地位或权力等世俗的东西可成为自己的支柱，然而，牧养的主想他们知道，祂的看顾是最好的，因为祂最了解他们的所需，并且必定会满足他们的需要。

诗人在这里的陈述是一个信心的宣言，因为牧者所作的事，没有一件是违背这些真理的。

甚么是你的信心宣言呢？

祷告

主啊，为祢的名的缘故，求祢帮助我们在所作的一切事上，都能反映出祢的性情和旨意。阿们。

Psalm 23:3

THURSDAY, JULY 10

TAGGED SHEEP

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. —Psalm 23:3

While sheep are not marked in the same way as cattle, they do bear the mark of their owner along with other helpful information that identifies them.

The Lord’s sheep also carry the name of their shepherd. We are God’s beloved sheep, and he gives us the best care “for his name’s sake.” His reputation is reflected in all the ways he cares for us.

What is the Lord our shepherd known for? As God reveals himself throughout his Word, we learn that he is powerful and wise, merciful and all-knowing, faithful and good, gracious and just, loving and trustworthy. God works for the good of his beloved. All of these attributes and more are on display in the way the Lord cares for his sheep.

Our shepherd doesn’t want anyone to wonder if he is a fickle or capricious caregiver. His reputation of constant and consistent care is important because he wants other sheep to join his flock. The care received in his fold is incomparable. Though wandering sheep are tempted by singular self-reliance or by trusting in more earthly things like money, status, or power to see them through, the shepherding Lord wants them to know that his care is best because he knows their needs best and meets them without fail.

The psalmist’s statement here is a declaration of faith because nothing in the shepherd's behavior runs contrary to these truths.

What is your declaration of faith?

Lord, help us to reflect your character and will in all that we do. For your name’s sake, Amen.