【双语灵修】荣美可能带来的危险THE DANGER OF BEAUTY

出埃及记 40:34-38

当时，云彩遮盖会幕，耶和华的荣光就充满了帐幕。 摩西不能进会幕，因为云彩停在其上，并且耶和华的荣光充满了帐幕。 每逢云彩从帐幕收上去，以色列人就起程前往； 云彩若不收上去，他们就不起程，直等到云彩收上去。 日间，耶和华的云彩是在帐幕以上；夜间，云中有火，在以色列全家的眼前。在他们所行的路上，都是这样。

星期日

十一月二日

荣美可能带来的危险

“摩西不能进会幕，因为云彩停在其上…。” - 出 40:35

第一次走进大峡谷时，我正牵着我两岁的儿子Derek的手。他充满活力、喜爱探索他周边的世界，但却不会顾虑到可能会发生的危险。当南峡谷边缘在望时，我心里同时生出两种感受。我因面前荣美的景象感到震撼，美丽的创造反映出造物主的荣耀！但我同时也实在感到害怕：踏错一步，或儿子脚步偶一不慎，后果便不堪设想了！从某个角度来看，大峡谷本身的雄伟，也同时使它成为一个危险的地方。

会幕和大峡谷在某些方面也有相似之处。在神降临的威严中，会幕使百姓的心充满喜乐和惊叹。然而，当神同在的云彩降临时，危机便出现了。神荣美的同在是如此圣洁，以致任何不洁或不完全的事物，都不能在祂面前出现。就是摩西也要小心，因为神曾经说过：“你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活”（出埃及记 33:20）。

我们也要面对同样的问题。我们虽然渴望神的同在，可是因着我们的罪性，我们都是不完全的。然而，感恩的是，神已为世人提供了一条可以在祂面前活着的途径，感恩的是神已为世人提供了一条可以在祂面前活着的途径。神的儿子耶稣到来做我们的替身，祂甚至舍弃自己的生命，为我们偿还罪债，好让我们能够在神面前得称为义（罗马书 3-4章）！因着耶稣作成的工，现今我们便可以得到新的生命，并享受永远与神同活了。

祷告

主耶稣，祢背负了我们的罪疚和罪行，好让我们能够在神面前活着。哈利路亚！求祢加深我们天天为祢而活的渴望。阿们。

Exodus 40:34-38

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2

THE DANGER OF BEAUTY

Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it. . . . —Exodus 40:35

I first approached the Grand Canyon while holding the hand of my two-year-old son, Derek. He was energetic and loved exploring the world around him with little concern for potential harm. As the south rim came into view, I experienced two emotions at the same time. I was stunned by the beauty before me. Creation reflects the glory of the Creator! At the same time, I felt genuine fear: one misstep, or one reckless move from my son, and the worst might happen! In a way, the very grandeur of the Grand Canyon made it dangerous.

The tabernacle was like that in some ways too. It filled the people with joy and awe in the majesty of God’s presence. But as the cloud of God’s presence descended, a danger emerged. God’s glorious presence is so holy that nothing impure or imperfect can be there with him. Even Moses had to be careful, for God had said, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).

We face a similar problem. We may long for God’s presence, but because of our sinful nature we are imperfect. But, thankfully for us, God has provided a way for people to live in his presence. His Son, Jesus, came to stand in for us, even giving up his own life to pay the debt for our sin, so that we can be declared right with God (Romans 3-4)! And now, because of Jesus’ finished work, we can be made new and enjoy life with God forever.

Lord Jesus, you took on our guilt and sin so that we can live in God’s presence. Hallelujah! Deepen in us a longing to live for you each day. Amen.