11月7日

標　　題： 被捷徑引誘

經　　節： 亞比篩對大衛說︰「現在神將你的仇敵交在你手裡，求你容我拿槍將他刺透在地，一刺就成，不用再刺。」（撒母耳記上廿六章8節）

你有時候會面對試探，想走快捷方式達到生活的既定目標。在大衛登上王位寶座時，他好幾次面對這個試探。神的先知撒母耳早就用油膏了大衛，預言他是以色列下一個國王（撒母耳記上十六：12∼13）。然而，在大衛等候神的時刻來臨期間，他困惑地看見掃羅瘋狂的作為，他讓整個國家陷入危險的境地。掃羅追逐著大衛，亟欲殺他，逼迫大衛亡命天涯。

後來，突然有個千載難逢的大好時機落在大衛手中。大衛發現掃羅與軍隊安營在一個易受攻擊、毫無招架餘地的地方。亞比篩是屬大衛的勇士之一，他自告奮勇，要為大衛除掉掃羅。這麼做似乎是合情合理的，因為掃羅多次想殺大衛，況且神也說要大衛作國王。既然掃羅落在他的手中，大衛大可退出自己亡命天涯的日子，得到王位，作神所膏立的僕人。但就算他很想得到王位，而且這王位原本就屬他，他仍然拒絕妥協自己的正直，來取得王權。對大衛來說，以不是神的方式來完成神的旨意，是不可行的。

你也會遇見類似的試探。有時候，朋友好意地建議你儘快完成神的旨意，不要你繼續等候。你可能一心一意想控制自己的環境，以為只要有好結局，不擇手段也沒關係。你要相信，神的時機永遠是最恰當的。神可能計畫要你得到某一個職位，或轉變一個新方向，然而，時機可能不像你所想像的。要保守你的心，不要讓其他人說服你，而妥協你自己的正直，來達成神的旨意。

Tempted by Shortcuts

Then Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!" (1 Samuel 26:8)

You will sometimes be tempted to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. David faced this temptation numerous times before he finally assumed the throne. Samuel, God’s prophet, had anointed David and prophesied that he would be the next king of Israel (1 Sam. 16:12–13). Yet, while David waited on God’s timing, he watched in frustration as a crazed King Saul brought the kingdom into jeopardy. Saul pursued David to murder him, forcing David to flee for his life.

Then an incredible opportunity presented itself to David. David found Saul in a vulnerable position, sleeping with his army. Abishai, one of David’s warriors, offered to kill Saul. It seemed to make perfect sense. Saul had tried to kill David on numerous occasions. God had said He intended for David to be the king. By taking matters into his own hands, David could bring an end to his exile and assume the throne as God’s anointed servant. Yet he refused to compromise his integrity in order to become king, even though he wanted the position and it was rightfully his. Accomplishing God’s will in any manner other than the way God prescribed was unthinkable.

At times you may face similar temptations. Well-meaning friends advise you to hasten God’s will for you rather than waiting upon Him. You may be sorely tempted to take control of your situation, assuming the end will justify the means. These are the times when you must trust God’s perfect timing. God may plan for you to attain a certain position or take a new direction, but the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don’t allow others to persuade you to compromise your integrity as you follow God’s will.