Serving God, Not Self 事奉神，而非自己

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Dexu Xia

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During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it . . . as a monument to himself. 2 Samuel 18:12-18

Today's Scripture2 Samuel 18:18

Today's Insights In 2 Samuel 13, we learn that Absalom’s sister Tamar is assaulted by their half-brother Amnon. Their father, King David, is furious about the news but does nothing (v. 21). Two years later, Absalom takes matters into his own hands and has Amnon killed (vv. 23, 28-29). Again, David does nothing—for years (see ch. 14). So Absalom’s anger and insurrection against his father was largely due to David’s inaction, poor choices, and lack of guidance. Absalom’s “monument to himself” (18:18) is just one sign of his alienation from David and from God. Today, as believers in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit inside us to guide us. Empowered by Him, we’re called to trust in God’s sense of justice. He helps us to humbly serve Him and to value others above ourselves.

Today's Devotion The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II thought so much of himself that he had numerous structures built in his honor, including many monuments that captured his physical features. One, the colossal statue of Ramesses II, stands thirty-six feet tall and weighs eighty-three tons in all its red-granite glory. Age wasn’t kind to the proud ruler, however. In fact, when he died, he was suffering from bad teeth, arthritis, and chronic heart problems. Some of his monuments might last for a while, but—like all mortals—he himself passed.

Absalom, one of King David’s sons, also built “a monument to himself” (2 Samuel 18:18). Fueled by rage from past tragedy (see ch. 13) and selfish ambition, this younger man worked to steal “the hearts of the people of Israel” from his father (15:6). When Absalom attempted to pilfer the throne, however, God didn’t allow him to overpower David, His anointed king (1 Samuel 16:12-13), and David’s fighting men (2 Samuel 18:6). In the end, Absalom was killed for his treachery. Although his monument still stood (v. 18), he died humbled and defeated.

Building monuments to ourselves and serving our own pride and desires won’t end well. But as we humbly serve God and love Him well (Philippians 2:3-8), we’ll find true meaning and fulfillment in His presence.

Reflect & Pray

Why is living for and serving yourself an empty pursuit? What does it look like for you to humbly serve God?

All-powerful God, please help me to serve You in love and humility. You’re the only one who’s worthy of my worship. By Tom Felten

押沙龙在世的时候，曾立了一根柱子……作为自己的纪念碑。（参阅撒母耳记下 18:12-18）

今日经文：撒母耳记下 18:18

今日洞见：在撒母耳记下13章中，我们得知押沙龙的妹妹她玛遭到了同父异母的哥哥暗嫩的侵犯。他们的父亲大卫王听闻此事后虽怒不可遏，却未采取任何行动（21节）。两年后，押沙龙决定自行处理，他杀死了暗嫩（23、28-29节）。大卫对此依然无所作为，这一拖就是好几年（参阅14章）。因此，押沙龙对父亲的愤怒与反叛，很大程度上是因为大卫对暗嫩恶行的不作为这错误的抉择以及对儿子缺乏引导造成的。押沙龙为自己所立的“纪念碑”（18:18），正是他与大卫及神关系疏离的一个写照。如今，作为耶稣的信徒，我们有圣灵内住在心中指引我们。靠着圣灵的大能，我们蒙召去信靠神的公义。祂帮助我们谦卑地事奉神，并看别人比自己强。

今日灵修：古埃及法老拉美西斯二世极度自负，为彰显自己的威名建造了无数建筑，其中包括许多刻画他容貌的纪念碑。其中一座拉美西斯二世巨像，由红花岗岩雕凿而成，高达36英尺（约11米），重达83吨，尽显宏伟气派。然而，岁月并未善待这位傲慢的统治者。事实上，他去世时饱受牙病、关节炎和慢性心脏病的折磨。尽管他的一些纪念碑或许能留存许久，但他本人，正如所有凡人一样，终究难逃一死。

大卫王的儿子押沙龙也曾为自己立了一座“纪念碑”（撒母耳记下 18:18）。这位年轻人因妹妹她玛的悲剧（参阅13章）而心怀愤恨，又受自私的野心驱使，企图从父亲手中夺取“以色列人的心”（15:6）。然而，当押沙龙企图篡夺王位时，神并未容许他战胜大卫，就是神所膏立的君王（撒母耳记上 16:12-13），他也未能打败大卫王手下的勇士（撒母耳记下 18:6）。最终，押沙龙因自己背叛的行径而丧命。尽管他所立的纪念碑依然矗立（18节），但他本人却惨败蒙羞而死。

为自己树立纪念碑、满足个人的骄傲与私欲，终究难有善果。然而，当我们谦卑地事奉神并全心爱祂时（腓立比书 2:3-8），便能在祂的同在中寻得真正的意义与满足。

反思与祷告为何为自己而活、为自己效力终究是一场虚空的追求？对你而言，谦卑事奉神是怎样的光景？全能的神啊，求祢帮助我怀着爱心与谦卑来事奉祢。唯有祢配得我的敬拜。