9月21日         

標　　題：工具

經　　節：斧豈可向用斧砍木的自誇呢？鋸豈可向用鋸的自大呢？好比棍掄起那舉棍的，好比杖舉起那非木的人。（以賽亞書十章15節）

基督徒生活的其中一個危機，是竊取神的榮耀。這是亞述人的問題。他們本來是非常軟弱的國家，直到神選擇去祝福他們，使用他們成為管教以色列人的工具。然而，神愈加祝福他們，他們愈加自恃自己的能力。當農夫有好收成時，他們認為是自己耕種技巧的功勞，與神無關。當他們的軍隊得到一場大勝利時，他們歸功於領軍的將領。當整個國家繁榮興盛時，亞述人歸功於自己的軍事與政治力量。最後，神指出他們怪誕的結論（以賽亞書十：5∼19）。

有時候，管理貧窮與軟弱的問題，比起管理財富與剛強要容易得多。貧窮使我們看到自己對神的需要，繁榮昌盛則容易讓我們自以為不需要神。聖經中包含許多例子，有些人自以為靠自己就夠了，卻不瞭解自己遠離神乃是極度貧窮。參孫是最強壯的人，然而，他忘記自己的力量是從神而來。一旦神除去了他的力量，參孫淪落成一個可憐的奴隸。掃羅是以色列第一個國王，當神從這驕傲的統治者身上，除去自己聖靈的同在，他就變成一個心胸狹窄的偏執狂，甚至去求教交鬼的婦人。

當你經歷神所賜予的勝利時，要小心自處！當你在家庭、工作或事工上享受祂的祝福時，要銘記在心，自己只不過是主手中的工具。

Instruments

Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood! (Isaiah 10:15)

One of the dangers in the Christian life is to take credit for what God does. This was the Assyrians’ problem. They were a weak nation until God chose to bless them in order to use them as an instrument to punish the Israelites. However, the more God blessed them, the more confident they became in their own strength. When the farmers had good crops, they credited their farming skills rather than God. When their army won a victory, their generals took the credit. When the nation experienced prosperity, the Assyrians attributed it to their military and political might. Finally, God pointed out the absurdity of their conclusions (Isa. 10:5–19).

It is sometimes easier to handle poverty or weakness than wealth or strength. Poverty causes us to recognize our need for God. Prosperity persuades us that we no longer require Him. Scripture holds several examples of those who assumed they were self-sufficient, only to realize their dire poverty apart from God. Samson was the strongest person alive, but he forgot that his strength came from God. Once God removed his strength, Samson was reduced to a pitiful slave. Saul was the first king of Israel, yet when God removed His Spirit from this proud monarch, he became a paranoid, petty man, seeking counsel from the occult.

Be careful how you handle the success God gives you! As you enjoy His blessings in your family, your business, or your ministry, keep in mind that you are an instrument in the hands of the Master.