9月7日          

標　　題：住在山上的日子夠了

經　　節：耶和華─我們的神在何烈山曉諭我們說︰你們在這山上住的日子夠了。（申命記一章6節）

如果神讓我們住在「山頂」，我們永遠不能經歷考驗，更不能經歷任何勝利。當神對以色列百姓說話，頒發十誡給他們的時候，以色列人聚集在西乃山腳下。這是個驚人的經驗！火與煙覆蓋了整個山頂，天空閃電，角聲漸漸地高昂！遍山大大震動，百姓們恐懼戰兢（出埃及記十九：16∼25）。

神的百姓不只是要經歷與神相遇的激動，他們的主由埃及解救他們的目的，並不是要他們待在荒野的山地中。神解救他們，好叫他們能夠征服應許之地。神要向以色列人展示自己的權能，好讓他們信任祂能夠帶領他們進入迦南地。最後，神宣佈他們在山上待得夠久了，是起行爭戰的時刻。

山頂上實在是一個吸引人的安營處。彼得、雅各和約翰預備要在變像山頂搭棚與耶穌同住，然而，他們的主知道山腳下有一個鬼附的孩子需要幫助（馬太福音十七：4、14∼18）。神有時會慈愛地讓你享受山頂經驗，這些經驗可能發生在許多不同的時候：在你與祂獨處時、在基督徒聚會時、讀一本好書時、或是在禱告聚會時。你可能希望自己一輩子舒適地享受迎見主的激情，但要記得，這些山頂的際遇是神要裝備你，好面對前頭的爭戰。

Long Enough on the Mountain

The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: "'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain." (Deuteronomy 1:6)

If God allowed us to live on the “mountaintop,” we would not experience trials, but neither would we achieve any victories. The Israelites had gathered at the foot of Mount Horeb while God spoke to them and gave them His law. It was a breathtaking experience! Fire and smoke covered that awesome mountain; lightning flashed, and loud trumpet sounds pierced the air in a deafening crescendo! The ground at the foot of the mountain shook, and the people trembled in fear (Exod. 19:16–25).

As important as it was for God’s people to have this inspiring encounter with Him, their Lord had not rescued them from Egypt in order for them to settle around a mountain in the wilderness. God delivered them so that they could conquer the Promised Land. God wanted to demonstrate His power to the Israelites so that they would trust Him in their conquest of Canaan. Finally, God announced that they had been long enough at the mountain; it was time to go to battle.

The mountain is an enticing place to set up camp. Peter, James, and John were prepared to reside on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, but their Lord knew that a demon-possessed boy needed their assistance down below (Matt. 17:4, 14–18). At times God will graciously provide you a mountaintop experience. These times come in many settings: during your time alone with Him, at a Christian conference, by reading a Christian book, or at a prayer meeting. You may wish you could spend the rest of your life basking in the glow of your encounter with God. But remember, these mountaintop encounters are God’s way of preparing you for the battles that await you.