The Freedom God Provides 神赐予的自由
Dexu Xia
Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper. Deuteronomy 5:33
Today's Scripture Deuteronomy 5:28-29, 32-33
Today's Insights Deuteronomy records Moses’ words to the fledgling nation of Israel as they’re about to enter the promised land. Here in chapter 5, Moses reminds them of the Ten Commandments (vv. 6-21) given forty years earlier on Mount Sinai. At that time, God had spoken to them “face to face out of the fire on the mountain” (v. 4). The people feared this awesome God and told Moses, “This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer” (v. 25). God was pleased with their reverential fear and said, “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always” (v. 29). He knew their inclination to violate His boundaries, which were given because He loved them. That’s why Moses urged them, “Be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you” (v. 32)
Today's Devotional A team of landscape architects studied the effects of providing a fence around a preschool playground. On playgrounds without fences, children tended to gather close to the school building and their teacher and didn’t stray away. But on fenced-in playgrounds, they enjoyed the entire area. The researchers concluded that boundaries can create a greater sense of freedom. This seems counterintuitive to so many of us who think boundaries restrict enjoyment. Yet fences can provide freedom!
God underlines the freedom His boundaries provide for us. In offering the Ten Commandments to Israel, He promised that a “prosperous” life would result from living within His divine boundaries. “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33). Here the concept of prosperity includes a life lived with good results—a life of quality.
Jesus, who fulfilled the law with His death on the cross, proclaimed, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Indeed, God’s boundaries are for our good. “Fences” can free us to enjoy the life God created us to experience with Him.
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do God’s commands free you? How can you better embrace the freedom such boundaries offer?
Dear God, thank You for the wise parameters You put in place for my good.
By Elisa Morgan
“耶和华你神所吩咐你们行的，你都要去行，使你们可以存活得福，在所要承受的地上长久居住。”（申命记 5:33）
今日经文: 申命记 5章28-29, 32-33 节
今日洞见 申命记记载了摩西在即将进入应许之地的以色列国初创时期对他们所说的话。在第五章中，摩西提醒他们四十年前在西奈山颁布的十诫（6-21节）。当时，神“从山上的火中，面对面地”与他们说话（4节）。百姓敬畏这位可畏的神，告诉摩西：“这大火必烧灭我们；我们若再听见耶和华我们神的声音，就必死亡”（25节）。上帝喜悦他们敬畏的心，便说：“但愿他们的心敬畏我，常遵守我的一切诫命”（29节）。他知道他们容易逾越他的界限，而这些界限是因为他爱他们而设立的。因此，摩西劝诫他们：“你们要谨慎遵行耶和华你们上帝所吩咐你们的。”（32节）
今日灵修 一组景观设计师研究了在幼儿园操场周围设置围栏的效果。在没有围栏的操场上，孩子们倾向于聚集在教学楼和老师附近，不会走散。但在有围栏的操场上，孩子们可以尽情享受整个区域。研究人员得出结论，界限可以创造更大的自由感。对于我们许多认为界限限制享受的人来说，这似乎违反直觉。然而，围栏可以带来自由！
上帝强调了他的界限为我们提供的自由。在向以色列人颁布十诫时，他应许，生活在他神圣的界限内，就能获得“丰盛”的生活。“耶和华你神所吩咐你们行的，你都要去行，使你们可以存活得福，在所要承受的地上长久居住。”（申命记 5:33）这里所说的“福乐”包括活出高质量、有果效的生活。
耶稣在十字架上受死，成全了律法，他宣告说：“你们若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的门徒。你们必晓得真理，真理必叫你们得以自由。”（约翰福音 8:31-32）的确，上帝设立的界限是为了我们的益处。“篱笆”能让我们自由地享受上帝创造我们，让我们与他一同经历的生活。
反思与祷告 上帝的诫命在哪些方面使你得自由？你如何才能更好地拥抱这些界限所提供的自由？
亲爱的上帝，感谢您为我的益处设立了这些明智的界限。
作者：伊莉莎·摩根