God’s Goodness 神的恩典
Dexu Xia
Be careful that you do not forget the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:12
Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:10-19
Today's Insights
Our reading from Deuteronomy 6 takes us to a major moment in Israel’s story. The Israelites had left Egypt and had depended on God’s miraculous daily provision in the desert just to be alive (8:16). They were now on the threshold of entering a settled land with cities, homes, wells, and farms they had no part in building (6:11). In moving from slavery to satisfaction, they’d be tempted to forget the source of all this goodness. Jesus would identify Himself as this source one day when feeding multitudes, providing enough for everyone to eat and be satisfied and even to have leftovers (Matthew 14:18-21). As we reflect on God today—the source of all good things—we can respond with gratitude.
Today's Devotion
“Oh no!” That was my response upon opening a beehive and discovering the colony had suddenly died. It had been a thriving hive with lots of honey. I’d carefully maintained it throughout a mild winter and anticipated an early harvest. But a cold snap in the warm weather had led to collapse.
I checked with local experts. “Many beekeepers lost hives this time,” they reassured me. Mild winters present challenges for bees, even healthy hives. Bees fan their wings to maintain warmth in the hive in winter, but when the weather warms briefly, they exhaust themselves seeking even more food. If temperatures drop quickly, they don’t have strength to keep warm. Their “distraction” leads to destruction.
Even good things can become dangers when they turn us from what matters most. Moses cautioned God’s people about this after they left Egypt and before they entered the land God was about to give them—a land with “houses filled with all kinds of good things” that they “did not provide” (Deuteronomy 6:11). “When you eat and are satisfied,” Moses warned, “be careful that you do not forget the Lord” (vv. 11-12).
Remembering God in our blessings helps us because He is the source of “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17). When we humbly respond to His goodness by loving Him with heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5), we find in Him the best blessing of all.
Reflect & Pray
What are you grateful for? How do all good things ultimately come from God?
Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your goodness to me. Please help me to remember You today for all good things!
By James Banks
“耶和华你的神领你进他向你列祖亚伯拉罕，以撒，雅各起誓应许给你的地。那里有城邑，又大又美，非你所建造的。有房屋，装满各样美物，非你所装满的。有凿成的水井，非你所凿成的。还有葡萄园，橄榄园，非你所栽种的。你吃了而且饱足。那时你要谨慎，免得你忘记将你从埃及地，为奴之家领出来的耶和华。”（申命记 6:12）
今日经文：申命记 6章10-19 节
今日灵修 我们今天阅读的申命记第六章，将我们带到以色列历史的一个重要时刻。以色列人离开了埃及，在旷野中，他们依靠神每日的奇妙供应才能生存（8:16）。如今，他们即将进入一片安居之地，那里有城市、房屋、水井和农田，都不是他们亲手建造的（6:11）。在从奴役走向安逸的过程中，他们很容易忘记这一切恩典的源头。有一天耶稣会表明自己就是这恩典的源头，祂用五饼二鱼喂饱了众人，不仅让每个人都吃饱喝足，甚至还有剩余（马太福音 14:18-21）。今天，当我们默想神，这一切美好事物的源头时, 愿我们能心怀感恩。
今日灵修 打开蜂箱后，我发现整个蜂群都突然死亡了，当时我的反应就是：“不，怎么会这样！”。那原本是一个生机勃勃的蜂群，产的蜂蜜也很多。我精心照料它们度过了一个暖冬，原本期待着早点收获蜂蜜。然而，暖冬中突然出现的寒流却导致蜂群的崩溃。我咨询了当地的专家。“这次很多养蜂人都损失了蜂群，”他们安慰我说。暖冬对蜜蜂来说也是个挑战，即使是健康的蜂群也不例外。蜜蜂在冬天会扇动翅膀来保持蜂巢内的温度，但是，当天气短暂回暖时，它们会因为外出寻找更多的食物而精疲力竭。如果气温骤降，它们就没有力气来保暖了。它们的“分心”最终会导致毁灭。
即使是美好的事物，如果它们让我们偏离最重要的事，那么它们也会变成危险。摩西在以色列人离开埃及、进入上帝即将赐予他们的土地之前，就曾告诫他们这一点,那片土地上“房屋里充满了各种美物”，而这些美物不是他们预备的（申命记 6:11）。 摩西警告说：“你们吃饱时要谨慎，免得忘记耶和华”（11-12节）。
在蒙福之时记念上帝，对我们大有裨益，因为祂是“一切美善和全备的恩赐”的源头（雅各书1:17）。当我们谦卑地回应上帝的恩典，尽心、尽意、尽力地爱祂时（申命记6:5），我们就能在祂里面找到最美好的祝福。
反思与祷告 你在为什么感恩？一切美好事物的终极源头都是上帝吗？ 天父，感谢您对我的恩典。求您帮助我今天就为一切美好事物记念您！——詹姆斯·班克斯