7月11日

標　　題：有信心的盼望

經　　節：也要堅守我們所承認的指望，不至搖動，因為那應許我們的是信實的。（希伯來書十章23節）

「守望」在基督徒的生命中，絕不是希望的想法罷了。這是有信心的期待。那些生命中沒有基督的人，可能希望事情有所改觀，藉某人來改變他們的處境。基督徒與宇宙的主宰有個人的關係。這位宇宙主宰不僅管理所有受造物，也管理我們所處的環境。我們可以滿懷信心而活，因為我們的盼望是在於那位信實的主。

當神發言時，祂的話決不徒然返回，必成就祂所說的話（以賽亞書五十五：11）。當神向你說話，要完全相信祂，祂決不欺騙祂的兒女。如果祂向你指示祂的心意，你可以放心，祂絕對成就那事。

你是否不明白，為何不義的人興旺發達，而義人忍受痛苦？耶穌應許每個人最終都要接受公平的報應（路加福音十六：19∼31）。你是否懷疑，以神的標準與方式教養兒女，等他們成年後，這些心血能否收到果效？神應許你，教養兒童使他走當行的道，就是到老他也不偏離（箴言廿二：6）。你是否懷疑，自己在成為基督徒時所放棄的一切，是否會被神的祝福所代替？耶穌應許我們在今生可以得到百倍（馬可福音十：29∼30）。你是否懷疑耶穌會回來，那些在基督裡死了的人會添加我們？聖經上指明，這是肯定會發生的（帖撒羅尼迦前書四：13∼18）。

我們的盼望不是創建在對神作為的臆測。在生命許多方面，神已賜下祂的話語，叫我們知道祂的作為。我們可以滿懷信心地盼望祂所應許的每一件事。

Confident Hope

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

Hope in the Christian’s life is not wishful thinking. It is confident expectation. Those without Christ may wish things were different and wish they knew someone who could change their situations. The Christian is personally related to the Lord of the universe, who is sovereign not only over all creation but also over every circumstance we experience. We can live with confidence because our hope is in One who is faithful.

When God speaks, He stands by His word to see that it comes to pass (Isa. 55:11). When God speaks a word to you, trust Him completely, for God never deceives His children. If God has indicated to you that He is going to do something, you can be absolutely confident that He will do it.

Do you wonder why unrighteous people seem to prosper while righteous people suffer? Jesus promised that each would eventually receive a just reward (Luke 16:19–31). Do you wonder if all the effort you have put into training your children in God’s ways will bear fruit when they become adults? God promised it would (Prov. 22:6). Do you wonder if the things you renounced when you became a Christian will be replaced by God’s blessings? Jesus assured us we would receive a hundred times as much (Mark 10:29–30). Do you doubt that Jesus will return and join us with those who have already died? Scripture indicates this certainty (1 Thess. 4:13–18).

Our hope is not mere speculation in what God might do. God has given His word on many areas of life regarding things He will do. We can have confident hope in everything that He has promised.