灵命日粮 - 2005年4月26日
读经: 士师记6章11-16节、33-40节

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金句: 「耶和华对他（基甸）说：『你放心，不要惧怕。』」（士师记6章23节）

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全年读经: 诗篇46-48篇  

十岁的克里欧第一次钓鱼，他往鱼饵罐里看了一眼，好像有点迟疑不决，最后他终于对我的丈夫说：「帮我！」我的丈夫问他有什么问题，克里欧回答：「我怕虫子！」由此可知，怕虫子使他失去行动能力。
恐惧所造成的行动瘫痪，也会发生在成年人身上。当耶和华的使者向基甸显现时，他一定充满惊恐，当时他正躲着敌对的米甸人，偷偷打着麦子（士师记6章11节）。天使对他说，上帝已经选召他，要他带领上帝的百姓出去争战（12-14节）。

基甸怎样回答呢？「主啊，我有何能拯救以色列人呢？我家在玛拿西支派中是至贫穷的，我在我父家是至微小的」（15节）。即使上帝保证必定与他同在，基甸似乎仍然感到不安，因此求上帝给他证据，以证明祂必定会照着应许使用他来拯救以色列人（36-40节）。上帝也答应了基甸的恳求，以色列人因此连战皆捷，安享了四十年的平安。

我们都有各式各样的恐惧，从虫子到战争，无所不有。基甸的故事告诉我们要有信心，若上帝要我们去做某件事，就必然赐下我们所需的勇气和能力。AMC


当你畏惧前面将发生之事，
要切切记得上帝在你身旁；
祂赐下勇气、喜乐与盼望，
驱散惊惶，赐你内心平安。Sper


想将恐惧赶出生命中，就该信靠永生上帝。
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From Worms To Wars



Read:Judges 6:11-16,33-40
The Lord said to [Gideon], "Peace be with you; do not fear." —Judges 6:23


Bible In One Year: Psalm 46-48

It was 10-year-old Cleotis' first time fishing, and as he looked into the container of bait he seemed hesitant to get started. Finally he said to my husband, "Help me, I-S-O-W!" When my husband asked him what the problem was, Cleotis responded, "I-S-O-W! I'm Scared Of Worms!" His fear had made him unable to act.

Fear can paralyze grown men too. Gideon must've been afraid when the angel of the Lord came to him as he was threshing wheat in secret, hiding from his Midianite enemies (Judges 6:11). The angel told him he had been chosen by God to lead His people in battle (vv.12-14).

Gideon's response? "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (v.15). After being assured of the Lord's presence, Gideon still seemed fearful and asked Him for signs that He would use him to save Israel as He promised (vv.36-40). And God responded to Gideon's requests. The Israelites were successful in battle and then enjoyed peace for 40 years.

We all have fears of various kinds—from worms to wars. Gideon's story teaches us that we can be confident of this: If God asks us to do something, He'll give us the strength and power to do it. —Anne Cetas


When you're afraid of what's ahead,
Remember, God is near;
He'll give you strength and joy and hope
And calm your inner fear. —Sper

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.