Running the Race with Christ 与基督同行

[Dexu Xia]

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction. Proverbs 1:8

Today's Scripture    Proverbs 1:1-9

Today's Insights  In the prelude to the book of Proverbs (1:1-7), the theme of this book and other biblical wisdom literature is introduced: “the fear of the Lord” (v. 7). This grand theme not only bookends the first major section of Proverbs (1:7–9:10), it frames the entire book (see 31:30). From the beginning to the end, the goal is that readers—young and old—would major on honoring God with the whole of their lives. To “fear the Lord” (Psalm 33:8) is to stand in wonder, respect, reverence, and adoration of Him. The fear of God is essential for running the race of faith with Christ. It’s good for mentors and mentees. It’s good for parents to possess and pass on to their children (Proverbs 1:8-9). According to Psalm 34:11, this guiding life-principle can be taught: “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

Today's Devotional  Tom, age seven, admired his dad’s shiny trophies from school track events sitting on a shelf. He thought, I want one of those for my bedroom. So he asked, “Dad, can I have one of your trophies?” The man surprisingly answered, “No, Tom, those are mine. I earned them, and you can earn your own.” Then they made a plan that if he ran around the block in a certain amount of time (he knew his son could do it), he would give him a trophy of his own. Tom practiced with his dad’s guidance, and a week later his dad cheered him on as he ran the race in time. Tom learned lessons in self-discipline and hard work, and his dad congratulated him with an award.

Proverbs 1:8 encourages children to “listen . . . to your father’s instruction.” Tom’s dad also taught him about running the race of life with Jesus and listening to His leading. He instructed him about choosing “what is right and just and fair,” as the father in Proverbs did (v. 3). A father’s teachings are valuable: “a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (v. 9).  You may not have an earthly father to instruct you in your race with Christ. But God can lead you to a mentor who can pass along their wisdom. Or perhaps God is calling you to mentor someone. He’ll give you guidance as you’re active with others in running the race heavenward.

Reflect & Pray

Who in your circle might be one you can learn from about life in Christ? Who might you help?

Father, thank You for the Scriptures that instruct me. Please give me a mentor who knows You well and can share Your wisdom.  By Anne Cetas

“儿啊，要听从你父亲的教诲。”(箴言 1:8)

 今日经文：箴言 1:1-9

 今日心得：箴言书的序言（1:1-7）引出了本书以及其他圣经智慧文学的主题：“敬畏耶和华”（7节）。这个宏大的主题不仅贯穿了箴言书的第一大部分（1:7-9:10），也贯穿了整本书（见31:30）。从始至终，本书的目标是让读者，无论老少，都专注于用他们的一生来荣耀上帝。“敬畏耶和华”（诗篇 33:8）就是敬畏、敬重、崇敬和爱慕祂。敬畏上帝对于与基督同行跑信心的赛程至关重要。这对导师和受训者都有益处。父母拥有并传授给孩子是件好事（箴言 1:8-9）。根据诗篇 34:11，这条指导人生的原则是可以传授的：“我的孩子们，来吧，听我的话；我要教导你们敬畏耶和华。”

今日灵修 七岁的汤姆羡慕着爸爸在学校田径比赛中赢得的闪亮奖杯，这些奖杯摆放在架子上。他心想，我也想要一个放在我的卧室里。于是他问：“爸爸，我可以拿一个你的奖杯吗？”爸爸出乎意料地回答说：“不，汤姆，那些是我的。是我努力争取来的，你也可以自己争取。”然后他们商定了一个计划，如果汤姆在规定的时间内跑完一圈（他知道儿子可以做到），就送给他一个属于自己的奖杯。汤姆在爸爸的指导下练习，一周后，他准时跑完了比赛，爸爸为他加油。汤姆在自律和勤奋方面学到了教训，他的父亲也为他颁发了奖项以示祝贺。

  箴言1章8节鼓励孩子们“要听从……父亲的训诲”。汤姆的父亲也教导他如何与耶稣一起奔跑人生的赛程，并听从祂的引领。他教导他要像箴言中的父亲一样，选择“公义、公正、公平的事”（3节）。父亲的教诲弥足珍贵：“如同华冠戴在你头上，如同项链佩戴在你颈上”（9节）。或许，你地上的父亲无法教导你跑好基督为你定的赛程。但上帝可以引领你找到一位能够传授智慧的导师。或许，上帝正在呼召你去指导某个人。当你积极地与他人一起奔跑通往天家的赛程时，上帝会亲自给你指引。

反思与祷告 在你的亲朋好友中，你可以向谁学习在基督里的生命？你会去帮助谁？ 天父，感谢你赐给我教导我的圣经。请赐给我一位深知您，并能分享您智慧的导师。作者：安妮·塞塔斯