7月17日

標　　題：分別虔誠人歸祂

經　　節：你們要知道，耶和華已經分別虔誠人歸祂自己；我求告耶和華，祂必聽我。（詩篇四篇3節）

沒有一個人比虔誠人在主的眼中更珍貴的。神喜悅每個努力活出聖潔生活、且歸榮耀給祂的人。在神的心中有一個特別的地方，是給這些虔誠的人。神總是護佑他們，祂早準備好要回應他們最微弱的哀求。

罪使我們與神隔絕，使得神對我們的禱告閉耳不聽。明知自己有罪卻不對付，禱告是不蒙垂聽的。然而，事情反過來即為真理。當我們過敬虔的生活，神就看重我們，垂聽我們每個哀求。歷久不渝的安全是由無過的生活而來。正直的人永遠不需要懷疑神是否垂聽禱告（約翰一書五：14∼15）。敬虔的人有信心，神的確會聽自己的禱告，並且神會馬上以祂自己的權能回應。

被神分別出來，知道神看到且喜悅你成聖的生活，是多麼快活的一件事！知道你的生活在神的心中，有一個特別的地方，是多麼榮幸的事！世人不見得認同你特別的地位，但你清楚知道自己被神所珍重。世界一直找尋新的方式來榮耀人，但即使是世界最高的榮譽，比起能在神心中佔一席之地的祝福，不過是可鄙的！

A Godly Person Set Apart

But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him. (Psalm 4:3)

No one is more precious in the Lord’s sight than a godly person. God is pleased whenever He finds someone who strives to live a righteous life and bring glory to Him. God sets such people apart in a special place in His heart. They are always kept before Him, and He stands ready to respond to their faintest cries for help. Sin separates us from God, causing Him to close His ears to our praying. It is futile for us to pray when we are knowingly practicing sin. But the opposite is also true. God chooses to honor us by listening to our every cry when we are living a godly life. An abiding security comes with living a blameless life. The righteous person never has to wonder whether God has listened to his prayer (1 John 5:14–15). The godly person has confidence that God has indeed heard her prayer and will immediately respond in all of His power.

It is exhilarating to be set apart by God, knowing that God observes your consecrated life and is pleased with what He sees. What a tremendous privilege to know that your life holds a special place in God’s heart! The world may not accord any special status to you, but you will know that you are cherished by God. The world continues to find new ways to honor people, but even the world’s most extravagant accolades are pitiful compared to the unfathomable blessing of holding a special place in the heart of God!