東京旅遊趣

我們家有一塊匾牌，上面刻著：「禱告或不禱告，上帝都同在。」以現代的角度來詮譯，這句話意指：「無論是否認識上帝，祂都在這裡。」

公元前第八世紀末期（主前755-715年）的舊約先知何西阿，也曾對希伯來人傳達了類似的信息。他勸勉以色列人要「竭力追求」認識上帝，因他們已經忘了上帝（4章1節）。他們一旦忘記上帝的同在，就會開始遠離上帝（12節），不久之後他們就以為沒有上帝（詩篇10篇4節）。

何西阿簡單而深刻的見解，提醒我們無論順境或逆境上帝都同在，祂也在我們的生命中彰顯作為。

「認識上帝」或許意味著，當我們在職場上獲得升遷時，要認識到是上帝賜給我們能力，可以在經費預算內如期完工；當我們購屋的申請被拒絕時，要知道上帝會幫助扶持我們，更相信上帝會讓萬事互相效力，讓我們得益處。

當我們無法進入心目中理想的大學時，知道上帝與我們同在，就能在失望中得安慰；在享用晚餐的時刻，因著認識上帝，我們就會記得祂供應了食材與廚房，令我們得著飽足。

當我們認識上帝，就會記得在我們生活中所經歷的大小事、成功或缺憾，祂都與我們同在。

A plaque in our home states “Bidden or not bidden, God is present.” A modern version might read, “Acknowledged or unacknowledged, God is here.”

Hosea, an Old Testament prophet who lived in the late eighth century bc (755–715), wrote similar words to the Hebrew nation. He encouraged the Israelites to “press on” (Hosea 6:3) to acknowledge God because they had forgotten Him (4:1). As the people forgot God’s presence, they began to turn away from Him (v. 12) and before long there was no room for God in their thoughts (see Psalm 10:4).

Hosea’s simple but profound insight to acknowledge God reminds us He’s near and at work in our lives, in both the joys and struggles.

To acknowledge God might mean that when we get a promotion at work, we recognize God gave us insight to finish our work on time and within budget. If our housing application is rejected, acknowledging God helps to sustain us as we trust Him to work in the situation for our good.

If we don’t make it into the college of our choice, we can acknowledge God is with us and take comfort in His presence even in our disappointment. As we enjoy dinner, to acknowledge God may be to remind ourselves of God’s provision of the ingredients and a kitchen to prepare the meal.

When we acknowledge God, we remember His presence in both the successes and sorrows, whether big or small, of our lives.