Sustainer of Blessings 恩福的源头
Dexu Xia
Remember the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:18
On January 15, 1919, a huge molasses tank burst in Boston. A fifteen-foot wave of more than two million gallons of molasses careened through the street at over 30 mph, sweeping away railcars, buildings, people, and animals. Molasses might seem harmless enough, but that day it was deadly: 21 people lost their lives with more than 150 injured.
Sometimes even good things—like molasses—can overwhelm us unexpectedly. Before the Israelites entered the land God promised them, Moses warned the people to be careful not to take credit for the good things they’d receive: “When you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase . . . , then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God.” They weren’t to attribute this wealth to their own strength or capabilities. Instead, Moses said, “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:12–14, 17–18).
All good things—including physical health and the skills needed to earn a living—are blessings from the hand of our loving God. Even when we’ve worked hard, it’s He who sustains us. Oh, to hold our blessings with open hands, that we may gratefully praise God for His kindness to us!
By: James Banks
What kindnesses from God are you thankful for today? Who can you help with a blessing you’ve received?
Thank You, Father, for sustaining me every moment. Please help me to recognize Your kindness, so I may share it with others.
你要记念耶和华你的上帝。—申命记8章18节
在1919年1月15日，美国波士顿某间公司的一座巨型糖蜜储存槽发生大爆炸，超过870万公升的糖蜜倾泄而出，形成约4公尺高的糖蜜浪潮，以超过56公里的时速冲向街道，摧毁了铁路和多栋建筑物，并造成多人死伤，以及大量马匹和动物死亡。这原本看似毫无杀伤力的糖蜜，在那天却成为致命的灾难，导致21人丧生，超过150人受伤。
有时候，即使是像糖蜜这样的美好事物，也会带给我们意想不到的危害。在以色列百姓即将进入上帝赐给他们的应许之地时，摩西警告他们，不要以为得到这一切美好的事物，都是自己的功劳，并劝勉百姓应小心谨慎：“恐怕你吃得饱足，建造美好的房屋居住，你的牛羊加多，你的金银增添，⋯⋯你就心高气傲，忘记耶和华你的上帝”（申命记8章12-14节）。摩西警诫他们，不要将发家致富归功于自己的力量或才能，而是“要记念耶和华你的上帝，因为得货财的力量是祂给你的”（17-18节）。
一切美好的事物，包括身体的健康和谋生的技能，都是上帝恩手赐下的恩福，即使我们能够努力工作，也是因为祂扶持我们。让我们谨记上帝是一切恩福的源头，坦然领受祂所赐的福分，并感谢赞美祂对我们的恩慈！
作者： 庞雅各
今天你会为上帝赐下的哪些恩典而感恩？
你能用上帝所赐的恩福去帮助谁呢？
天父，感谢祢每时刻都扶持我。
请帮助我认识祢的慈爱，好让我可以与其他人分享。