2016年2月4日
隱藏的珍寶 Hidden Treasure
读经: 箴言2章1-5節
Reading: Proverbs 2 :1-5
搜求它[明哲和聰明]，如搜求隱藏的珍寶。-箴言2章4節
Search for [insight and understanding] as for hidden treasure. Proverbs 2:4
全年读经: 出埃及記34-35章;馬太福音22章23-46節
Bible in a Year: Exodus 34–35; Matthew 22: 23-46
我的丈夫湯姆和我閱讀的方式不同。因為英文不是他的母語，他習慣慢慢地逐字讀，而我通常習慣速讀。但相比之下，湯姆總是對讀過的文章有較深的印象，可以很輕易地引用一個星期前所讀過的一些內容，而我卻是過目就忘。
速讀的習慣也成為我研讀聖經的阻礙。不僅是書卷中的族譜、熟悉的經節、小時候聽過的故事，或是譜為詩歌的詩篇，我都試著瀏覽略讀。
然而，箴言2章鼓勵我們，要有一顆尋求領悟的心，好更深地認識上帝。當我們認真讀經、花時間背誦經文，我們就能更深入明白真理 （1-2節） 。有時，大聲朗讀經文，也能夠幫助我們更清楚地聽見並了解上帝話語中的智慧。此外，學習用經文禱告，求上帝使我們得著「明哲和聰明」 （3節） ，就是在享受與上帝對話。
我們全心尋求上帝的話語和祂的智慧，就能更認識祂。若我們閱讀聖經像尋求銀子一樣熱心，或是像搜索寶藏一樣認真，我們便能領悟上帝話語中的意義。
親愛的主，幫助我放慢腳步，
聆聽祢話語的教導，讓我成為合祢心意的兒女。
以禱告的心認真研讀聖經。
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My husband and I read in different ways. Since English is a second language for Tom, he has a tendency to read slowly, word-for-word. I often speed-read by skimming. But Tom retains more than I do. He can easily quote something he read a week ago, while my retention can evaporate seconds after I turn away from the screen or book.
Skimming is also a problem when I'm reading the Bible—and not just the genealogies. I'm tempted to skim familiar passages, stories I've heard since I was a child, or a psalm that is part of a familiar chorus.
Proverbs 2 encourages us to make the effort to know God better by carefully seeking a heart of understanding. When we read the Bible carefully and invest time memorizing Scripture, we absorb its truths more deeply (vv. 1-2). Sometimes reading the Word aloud helps us to hear and understand the wisdom of God more fully. And when we pray the words of Scripture back to God and ask Him for "insight and understanding" (v. 3), we enjoy a conversation with the Author.
We come to know God and His wisdom when we search for it with our whole heart. We find understanding when we seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure.
Dear Lord, help me to slow down and listen to what You want to teach me through Your Word so I can be the person You want me to be.
Read the Bible carefully and study it prayerfully.