【双语灵修】神掌权

罗马书8:28-39

我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。 因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法他儿子的模样，使他儿子在许多弟兄中做长子； 预先所定下的人又召他们来，所召来的人又称他们为义，所称为义的人又叫他们得荣耀。

既是这样，还有什么说的呢？神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？ 神既不爱惜自己的儿子，为我们众人舍了，岂不也把万物和他一同白白地赐给我们吗？ 谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？有神称他们为义了。[a] 谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。[b] 谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？难道是

患难吗？是困苦吗？是逼迫吗？是饥饿吗？是赤身露体吗？是危险吗？是刀剑吗？ 如经上所记：“我们为你的缘故终日被杀，人看我们如将宰的羊。” 然而，靠着爱我们的主，在这一切的事上已经得胜有余了。 因为我深信：无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的，是现在的事，是将来的事， 是高处的，是低处的，是别的受造之物，都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。

10月9日

神掌权

我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。 (罗马书8:28)

生活有时艰难，甚至残酷。战火肆虐；疾病夺命；灾祸突袭；意外致残或致命；至亲背叛。苦难接二连三，疑问随之浮现：神在哪里？祂知晓吗？祂在乎吗？

苦难与挣扎常被描述为我们所谓的恶之难题。人会问：“如果神既全能又全善，为何苦难与邪恶依然存在？全能全善的神，理应能阻止苦难与邪恶发生，不是吗？”

我们需要认识到，罪孽、邪恶与苦难是通过人类悖逆进入人世间的。而苦难与邪恶往往与人的选择息息相关。但那位全能又慈爱的神，已藉着耶稣为我们开辟道路，使我们能与祂共享永生——到那时，将不再有苦难、悲伤与邪恶。不过在此之前，世间仍存有患难，这使得生活充满艰辛。

为何神允许这一切发生？因为祂对我们充满耐心，“不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。”（彼得后书 3:9）生命中各样美善的恩赐都从神而来（参雅各书1:17）。值得感恩的是，神限制了邪恶伤害我们的程度。若非如此，情况将会更加糟糕。此外，神能利用苦难和邪恶—这些并非祂的过错——来成就美善。这能引导人们在祂慈爱的怀抱中找到安慰与救赎。

祷告

天父上帝，在这破碎而充满苦难的世界里，感谢你的慈爱与怜悯。阿们。

Romans 8:28-39

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

GOD IS IN CONTROL

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28

Life can be hard, even brutal. Wars rage; diseases kill; disasters strike; accidents maim and take lives; loved ones betray. The list goes on, and questions arise. Where is God? Does he know? Does he care?

Sufferings and struggles are often described in terms of what we call the problem of evil. “And if God is all powerful and all loving,” people ask, “why do suffering and evil exist? An all-powerful and all-loving God should be able to prevent suffering and evil, right?”

Well, we need to recognize that sin, evil, and suffering entered the human experience through human disobedience. And suffering and evil are often connected to the choices people make. But God, who is all powerful and loving, has provided a way for us through Jesus to have eternal life with him—where suffering, sorrow, and evil will be no more. In the meantime, though, there is still trouble in the world, and that can make life hard.

Why does God allow this? Because he is patient with us, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). All good things in life come to us from God (James 1:17). And, thankfully, God limits the extent to which evil can harm us. If he didn’t, things would be far worse. In addition, God can use suffering and evil—for which he is not to blame—to bring about good. And this can lead people to find comfort and salvation in his loving arms.

Father God, in this broken, suffering world, we thank you for your love and mercy. Amen.