2016年1月9日
救恩的泉源 Wells of Salvation
读经: 以賽亞書12章
Reading: Isaiah 12
你們必從救恩的泉源歡然取水。-以賽亞書12章3節
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.- Isaiah 12:3
全年读经: 創世記23-24章;馬太福音7章
Bible in a Year: Genesis 23–24; Matthew 7
人們在地面上鑽井，一般都是為了採集岩石樣本、探取石油，或是尋找可以賴以生存的水源。
在以賽亞書12章提到，當時的以色列百姓居住在缺少水源的曠野，而他們的屬靈生命也有如荒涼的沙漠，所以上帝希望祂的子民知道祂就是「救恩的泉源」。先知以賽亞將上帝的救恩，比喻為最沁涼甘甜的泉源，可以不斷從中取水。因為猶大國的百姓長年忤逆上帝，所以上帝容許外邦人征服猶大，並將人民擄去，散居異邦。然而，先知以賽亞說，上帝必使各地剩餘的以色列百姓歸回本土，以此作為祂同在的記號 （以賽亞書11章11-12節） 。
以賽亞書12章是一首讚美上帝的詩歌，稱謝上帝信實地成就祂一切的應許，尤其是祂所應許的救恩。以賽亞告訴以色列百姓，他們將在上帝「救恩的泉源」那裡，經歷上帝恩典的活水、力量與喜樂 （1-3節） 。這活水將使他們的心甦醒、加添心力，並將讚美與感謝歸給上帝 （4-6節） 。
上帝期望我們每一個人都能藉著認罪和悔改，好從祂永恆的救恩泉源中，汲取喜樂的活水。
上帝是喜樂、更新和力量的泉源，
你要如何從中汲取呢？
上帝救恩的泉源永不枯竭。
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When people drill holes deep into the earth, it is normally for pulling up core samples of rock, accessing oil, or finding water.
In Isaiah 12, we learn that God wanted His people, who were living in a spiritual desert as well as a geographical desert, to discover His "wells of salvation." The prophet Isaiah compared God's salvation to a well from which the most refreshing of all waters can be drawn. After many years of turning their back on God, the nation of Judah was destined for exile as God allowed foreign invaders to conquer the nation, scattering the people. Yet, said the prophet Isaiah, a remnant would eventually return to their homeland as a sign that God was with them (Isa. 11:11-12).
Isaiah 12 is a hymn, praising God for His faithfulness in keeping His promises, especially the promise of salvation. Isaiah encouraged the people that deep in God's "wells of salvation" they would experience the cool water of God's grace, strength, and joy (vv. 1-3). This would refresh and strengthen their hearts and cause praise and gratitude to God (vv. 4-6).
God wants each of us to discover through confession and repentance the deep, cool waters of joy found in the everlasting well of His salvation.
What will you do to draw deeply from God's well to find His joy, refreshment, and strength?
The wells of God's salvation never run dry.