Putting On God’s Armor 穿戴神所赐的全副军装
Dexu Xia
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war. . . . David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1
Today's Scripture 2 Samuel 11:1-5
Today's Insights In Eastern cultures—both in ancient times and today—a high value was placed upon honor versus shame. The events following David’s sin with Bathsheba are described in 2 Samuel 11 as an honor/shame contest between David and Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband and one of David’s mighty men. This would explain why Uriah so publicly refused the king’s command to go home when recalled from the battlefield (v. 8). Instead, he slept on the king’s porch in full view of David’s servants (v. 9). This would also explain why after Bathsheba is named in verse 3, she’s then referred to as the wife of Uriah (12:9, 10, 15) until after the death of the child she bore (v. 24). Ultimately, Nathan’s public accusation of David (vv. 1-15) exposed David’s sin and shame, and he repented (v. 13; see Psalm 51). Today, we’re still fighting a war against sin. Believers in Jesus have been given the “armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) to help us fight our spiritual battles.
Today's Devotion Nafi and Kamran joined a military coup. They fought for years and, when their side won, were given desk jobs in the capital. It’s not going well. There’s little to do, so they go online. Nafi says that many of his comrades, “including me, are addicted to the internet, especially Twitter.” Kamran adds, “The real test and challenge was not during the [war]. Rather, it’s now. At that time, it was simple, but now things are much more complicated.” Citing the various temptations he found on the Web, he added, “Many . . . have fallen into these seemingly sweet, but actually bitter traps.”
Kamran’s right that we’re most vulnerable to let down our guard when we’re at ease, just as he was after a war. In Scripture, we find a similar caution in the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba. It all began when he sent others off to war but remained behind in the capital. Like an undisciplined man scrolling the internet, David “got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace” (2 Samuel 11:2). He put himself in harm’s way. And when “he saw a woman bathing,” he didn’t turn away (vv. 2-3).
We avoid the postwar letdown by remembering we’re still at war. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but . . . against the spiritual forces of evil.” So, as He helps us, we “put on the full armor of God” and prepare to “stand [our] ground” (Ephesians 6:12-13).
Reflect & Pray
What is your present battle? How can you win? (See Ephesians 6:10-20.)
Dear Jesus, I fight today in Your power and by Your Spirit.
By Mike Wittmor
“春天到了，正是君王出战的时候……大卫却留在了耶路撒冷。”撒母耳记下11章1 节
今日经文：撒母耳记下11章1-5 节
今日洞见：在东方文化中，无论是古代还是现代，人们都极度看重“荣誉”与“羞耻”的观念。在撒母耳记下11章中，大卫与拔示巴通奸之后所发生的一系列事件，被描绘为一场发生在大卫与乌利亚（拔示巴的丈夫，也是大卫手下的勇士之一）之间的“荣誉与羞耻”之争。这解释了为何乌利亚在被从战场召回后，会如此公开地拒绝遵从王的命令回家（8节）。相反，他睡在王的宫门廊下，而大卫的众仆人对此都一览无余（9节）。这也解释了为何在第3节提到拔示巴的名字之后，接下来的经文中（12:9、10、15）她一直被称为“乌利亚的妻子”，直到她所生的孩子夭折之后（24节）才不再如此称呼。最终，先知拿单公开指责大卫（1-15节）揭露了大卫的罪行与羞耻，而大卫也为自己的罪行悔改了（13节；参阅诗篇51篇）。如今，我们依然在打一场对抗罪恶的战争。信奉耶稣的人已获得 “上帝所赐的全副军装”（以弗所书6章11节），以此帮助我们打赢这场属灵的争战。
今日灵修：纳菲和卡姆兰曾参与了一场军事政变，他们浴血奋战多年。当他们所在的阵营获胜后，两人被安排在首都从事文职工作。然而，他们的日子过得并不顺心。由于工作清闲、无所事事，他们便把时间消磨在网络上。纳菲坦言，他的许多战友，“包括我自己，都沉迷于互联网，尤其是推特。”卡姆兰补充道：“真正的考验与挑战并非发生在[战争]期间，而是就在当下。那时，一切都显得单纯而简单；但如今，周遭的一切却变得错综复杂。”在列举了他在网络上遭遇的种种诱惑之后，他感慨道：“许多人……都已经跌入了那些看似甜蜜、实则苦涩的陷阱之中。” 卡姆兰说得对：当我们感到安逸自在时，正如他在战后所经历的那样，恰恰是我们最容易放松警惕、卸下防备的时候。在圣经中，大卫与拔示巴通奸的故事也包含了类似的警示。这一切始于大卫派遣他人出征作战，自己却留守在京城。就像一个缺乏自律的人漫无目的地浏览网络一样，大卫“从床上起来，在王宫的平顶上游行”（撒母耳记下11:2）。他将自己置于险境之中。当他“看见一个妇人沐浴”时，他并没有转过脸去（2-3节）。 若要避免战后的松懈与属灵低谷，我们必须时刻铭记：我们依然身处战场之中。“因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是……与天空属灵气的恶魔争战。”所以，我们要在上帝的帮助下，“穿戴神所赐的全副军装”，并预备好“站立得住”（以弗所书6:12-13）。
反思与祷告 你目前正面临怎样的争战？你当如何才能得胜？（参阅以弗所书6:10-20。） 亲爱的主耶稣，今日我凭着祢的大能，靠着祢的圣灵，投身于争战之中。 作者：麦克 维特莫