Divine Interruptions 神的介入
Dexu Xia
A well-to-do woman . . . urged [Elisha] to stay for a meal. 2 Kings 4:8
Today's Scripture 2 Kings 4:8-17
Today's Insights Elisha usually takes a back seat to the more celebrated Elijah, yet Elisha’s ministry was both powerful and profound. He experienced a divine interruption when Elijah abruptly cast his cloak upon him—signifying he was being called to follow and be trained for service (1 Kings 19:19-21). In the midst of plowing his family’s fields, the trajectory of Elisha’s life was changed as he not only followed Elijah, but he used the yoke and oxen to make a sacrificial offering, apparently as a statement of his commitment to follow the prophet. He enjoyed a much longer ministry than Elijah, and by the power of God performed more miracles than that of his mentor. Today, we can ask God to help us be open to His plans for us as we look for ways to serve others.
Today's Devotional Up early, Sara wrote her to-do list for the day. But she was interrupted with a request from a young, struggling family. They desperately needed a gas card from church to be delivered to them. Sara was busy but knew God wanted her to do this. So she agreed to drop it off at the hotel where the church was having them stay for a few weeks. She got the card and checked the address—the drive was farther than she’d anticipated, so she complained to God, It’s going to take too much gas to get this to them! Sara sensed these words in her spirit: Haven’t I provided for you? She replied, Yes, God, You have. Forgive my attitude. When she arrived, she found the couple, gave them the card, and held their baby. Sara thanked God on her drive home for blessing her with this simple, yet joyful opportunity.
In Elisha’s travels to Shunem in Israel, he found a woman who had a servant’s heart toward him. She urged Elisha “to stay for a meal,” so he often “stopped there to eat” (2 Kings 4:8). She and her husband even built him a room so whenever he came to their town, he’d have a place to stay (vv. 9-10). God graciously chose to bless them through Elisha’s prophecy of a child (v. 16). Whether serving a prophet of God or a homeless family, when we’re open to God’s plan and defer to His to-do list, God delights to bless our hearts with joy.
Reflect & Pray
What interruption might be God’s plan for you? How can you serve in ways that are best for others? Dear God, please open my heart to hear Your voice and serve as You lead. by Anne Getas
“一位富有的妇人……恳请[以利沙]留下来吃饭。（列王纪下 4:8）
今日经文：列王纪下 4:8-17
今日洞见：以利沙通常不如更著名的以利亚那样引人注目，但以利沙的事奉却既有力又深刻。当以利亚突然把外袍披在以利沙身上时，他经历了一次上帝的介入，这象征着他被呼召跟随以利亚，接受事奉的训练（列王纪上 19:19-21）。在耕种自家田地的时候，以利沙的人生轨迹发生了改变，他不仅跟随了以利亚，还用轭和牛献上了祭物，显然，他是以此来表明他跟随先知的决心。他的事奉比以利亚长得多，并且靠着神的大能行了比他导师以利亚更多的神迹。今天，我们可以祈求神帮助我们敞开心扉，接受祂为我们设定的计划，并且寻找服侍他人的机会。
今日灵修：萨拉一大早就起床，列出了当天要做的事情的清单。但她被一个年轻的贫困家庭的请求打断了。他们急需教会提供的加油卡。萨拉很忙，但她知道神希望她去做这件事。于是她同意把卡送到教会安排他们住的酒店。她拿到卡后查看了地址，路程比她预想的要远，于是她向上帝抱怨说：“把加油卡送到他们那里，要耗费太多汽油了！”这时，萨拉在心里感觉到这样的回应：“难道我没有供应你吗？”她回答说：“是的，神，你已经供应了我。请原谅我的态度。”她到达后，找到了那对夫妇，把卡给了他们，并且拥抱了他们的孩子。萨拉在回家的路上感谢神赐予她这个简单却充满喜乐的机会服事他人。
以利沙在前往以色列书念的旅途中，遇到了一位对他充满服侍之心的妇人。她恳请以利沙“留下来吃饭”，所以他经常“在那里停留吃饭”（列王纪下 4:8）。她和丈夫甚至为以利沙建了一间房间，这样他每次来到他们的城镇时，都有地方可以住（第9-10节）。上帝仁慈地选择通过以利沙预言这对夫妇将要得到一个孩子，以此来祝福他们（第16节）。无论是服侍上帝的先知，还是帮助无家可归的家庭，当我们敞开心扉接受上帝的计划，并顺服祂的旨意时，上帝就会乐意用喜乐充满我们的心。
反思与祷告：上帝可能为你安排了怎样的计划？你如何才能以最有利于他人的方式服侍他们？ 亲爱的上帝，求你打开我的心，让我聆听你的声音，并且按照你的引导去服侍。作者：安妮·盖塔斯