Before You Even Ask 尚未求告

[Dexu Xia]

Before You Even Ask

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

My friends Robert and Colleen have experienced a healthy marriage for decades, and I love watching them interact. One will pass the butter to the other at dinner before being asked for it. The other will refill a glass at the perfect moment. When they tell stories, they finish each other’s sentences. Sometimes it seems they can read each other’s mind.

It’s comforting that God knows and cares for us even more than any person we know and love. When the prophet Isaiah describes the relationship between God and His people in the coming kingdom, he describes a tender, intimate relationship. God says about His people, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

But how can this be true? There are things I’ve prayed about for years without receiving a response. I believe that as we grow in intimacy with God, aligning our hearts with His, we can learn to trust in His timing and care. We can begin to desire what God desires. When we pray, we ask for—among other things—the things that are part of God’s kingdom as described in Isaiah 65: An end to sorrow (v. 19). Safe homes and full bellies and meaningful work for all people (vv. 21–23). Peace in the natural world (v. 25). When God’s kingdom comes in its fullness, God will answer these prayers completely.

How might you participate in bringing God’s kingdom to earth? What will you ask God for today?

God, thank You for always hearing my prayers. I trust that You love me and are working all things together for good for those whom You’ve called. Please transform my desires so that I want what You want.

尚未求告

他们尚未求告，我就应允；正说话的时候，我就垂听。—以赛亚书65章24节

我的朋友伯伟和妻子惠琳相濡以沫几十年，两人可说是心有灵犀，我很喜欢看他们的互动。在吃晚饭时，其中一人会在对方开口要求前将酱油递上；另一人亦会在最适当的时刻把对方的茶杯倒满。当他们述说往事时，能把对方想说但未说的话说完，仿佛可以解读彼此的心意。

令人安慰的是，上帝比任何我们所认识和所爱的人更了解和关心我们。当先知以赛亚描述将来上帝在祂国度中与祂子民之间的关系时，他将之描述为一种温柔亲密的关系。上帝在提及祂的子民时如此说﹕“他们尚未求告，我就应允；正说话的时候，我就垂听。”（以赛亚书65章24节）但怎么可能呢？多年来，我一直为某些事祷告，却仍未得到回应。我相信随着我们与上帝愈发亲密，便能愈加体会祂的心意，学习相信祂所定的时间和祂的看顾，然后我们就会开始能以上帝的心为心，渴望祂所渴望的。我们祷告时，除了祈求和代求外，还可以祈求与上帝国度有关的事，例如以赛亚书65章提到不再有哀伤（19节）；所有人都有安稳的家园，得到温饱和有意义的工作（21-23节）；自然界的和谐（25节）。当上帝的国度完全降临时，上帝就会彻底回应这些祷告。

上帝，感谢祢一直聆听我的祷告。我相信祢爱我，并使万事互相效力，叫祢所呼召的人得益处。求祢改变我的欲望，让我的渴望与祢的心意相通。

你如何参与服事，将上帝的国度带到这世上？
你今天会向上帝祈求些什么？