2020-04-19
疫情中的敬拜（三）信心走過荒年：物資短缺與神的旨意Worship in Pandemic (3) FAITHTHROUGH THE LEAN YEARS: RESOURCE SHORTAGE AND THE WILL OF GOD
講員: 林慈信
China Horizon 中华展望facebook 4月17日上午10:13
經文
《哈巴谷書》3:17-19
『雖然無花果樹不發旺，葡萄樹不結果，橄欖樹也不效力，田地不出糧食，圈中絕了羊，棚內也沒有牛；然而，我要因耶和華歡欣，因救我的上帝喜樂。主耶和華是我的力量！祂使我的腳快如母鹿的蹄，又使我穩行在高處。』
《羅馬書》5:3-4
『患難產生忍耐，忍耐產生毅力，毅力產生盼望。』
《加拉太書》6:10
『有了機會就當向眾人行善，向信徒一家的人更當這樣。』
導言：上帝在世界做什麼?
這是一個試驗我們信心的日子，『考驗人靈魂的時刻』。我們從來沒有同時經歷這麼多個危機：財經危機、經濟危機、失業危機、公共衛生危機、資源短缺危機、食物供應危機、環境危機 …… 最嚴重的是恐慌的危機。以前的生活，應該是一去不回了……至少有好幾年。
上帝在做什麼？上帝在說什麼？
在這個非常時期，歷史性時刻，上帝在呼召一些信徒，挺身而出，信心堅定不移，全心服事祂。祂在呼召基甸的士兵、約書亞和迦勒、但以理和他三個朋友、約瑟、保羅；祂也在呼召哈拿、路德、馬利亞、呂底亞……很多人會後退，耶穌問祂的門徒：『你們也要回去嗎？』
直到基督再來那日，上帝每天在統治這宇宙。（當基督再來那日，祂也統治宇宙；而且宇宙會更加榮耀！）問題是：我們是否願意效法約書亞和迦勒他們？
被關在室內，政府禁止大型聚會，教會可能要經歷長遠的改變。
醫療物資的短缺，供應鏈可能面臨危機。在新冠肺炎之前，專家就預測地球將來會有食物短缺。
我們從來沒有經歷過新冠肺炎。我們，身為中產階級，居住在城市的人，大部分從來沒有經歷過飢餓，或任何方面的物資短缺。我們過著一個相對舒適的生活，我們在全球和人類歷史上，是少數民族，是蒙福的少數民族。大部分的人類都沒有我們這麼幸福！
我記得小學時候，大概1961-62年，幫助我的父親提一些兩磅鐵罐子的包裹：麵粉、糖、油，去香港九龍城的郵局，寄給國內的家人。當時他們糧食短缺。我有兩位伯父（大伯是牧師），一位姑姐，他們都有家人。父親說，他偷偷在麵粉裡加了奶粉，增加營養。我的小舅最近告訴我，媽媽寄給外公的，還有肉鬆和香腸。他們到現在還記得。
去郵局的路上（在賈炳達道，九龍城寨外面），父親對我說，他覺得自己好像約瑟一樣：上帝保存他，為了搭救他的家人。
新冠肺炎不論是短期或長期的災難，地球都將面對著一些長期的有待解決的問題：氣候改變、各處的難民、不公義、未來的糧食短缺等。新冠肺炎若在一年左右結束（願主成就！），我們就要回到這些問題上。病毒若是長遠延續下去，我們就要同時處理好幾個棘手的問題。不論如何，上帝在塑造我們，使我們在信心上成長，作更好的僕人、管家。
過去兩個星期，面對新冠肺炎，我曾嘗試討論一些我們信仰的基礎課題。透過《詩篇》91篇，我們看死亡與疾病。我們讀了《哈巴谷書》來看上帝的咒詛和審判。我們看到上帝的普遍恩典，藉著世界各處人類良善和犧牲的行動展示出來。當然，上帝繼續成就福音的遍傳和祂在教會身上的旨意。
對某些讀者來說，我所提到的：上帝的普遍恩典、祂的咒詛、和祂救贖恩典之間的『張力』(tension) ，可能不是很容易拿捏。現在我把問題擴大，盡可能包括上帝的護理的各個層面。這樣讓我們看到一幅更廣闊的圖畫：今天上帝在世界是如何工作的？本文代表我在目前，在這時刻，所理解的『護理論』(doctrine of providence)。或說，我對護理論的應用的理解。求主用它建立你的信心，抓住上帝的主權；同時又有確據知道，全世界都在祂的手中。
我們討論糧食和物資短缺時，是從上帝的護理的角度去看的。我們深信：上帝不斷保存這個世界，祂統管整個世界。
上帝的護理 The Providence of God
我們來看一個對護理簡短而優美的定義。『上帝的護理是什麼意思？就是上帝無所不能、無所不在的大能。上帝施展這個大能，好像人用雙手一樣，一直托住天地和其中萬物。因為上帝治理萬有，所以一草一木、或雨或旱、豐年荒年、飽足飢餓、健康疾病、富足貧窮都不是出於偶然，而是出於祂像父親一樣的手。』（《海德堡要理問答》，第27 問。）這是天父世界！
我們說得具體一點。
[1] 首先：『萬有』的意思就是：上帝的護理涵蓋宇宙萬物，這個世界上發生的一切事。這包括：整個宇宙；物質世界；動植物；人類各國的事情；每一個人的出生和整個人生；人生命的得失成敗；保護義人、懲罰惡人；供應上帝子民的缺乏；應允禱告。（參：伯克富，《系統神學》。）沒有什麼事物不在上帝的眷顧與治理之內。這當然包括病毒和飢荒等災難。
[2] 上帝所做的一切，祂的治理，都是根據祂永恆的旨意。一切所發生的事，完全根據上帝在永恆所預定的。從我們人類的邏輯來看，上帝所預定的旨意，和具體在世界發生的事之間，似乎有著一個隔閡，一個邏輯上的隔閡。是的，這是奧秘，是不可思議的！但是我們必須接受這是《聖經》所教導的真理：一切發生的事，都完全根據上帝所預定的永恆計劃。
[3] 上帝所預定的一切事，都使用宇宙裡的『次因』(secondary causes)。這包括人的選擇，和自然界的各種因素。一只麻雀掉到地上有各種因素：風吹，或者麻雀的翅膀受傷了等。病毒透過人，透過空氣傳染。一般情況之下，上帝透過醫院照顧病人。這一切都由上帝計劃和指揮。因此，當事情發生時，上帝『在』那裡。上帝無所不在！（神學家稱之為『同時發生論』concurrence。）
[4] 一切事情發生，都事為了上帝的榮耀：至終的目標，就是宇宙萬物都服在基督的權柄之下（《以弗所書》1:9-10）。一件奇妙的事就是：上帝會施恩，使多人得救，進入上帝的國度。上帝的美意是讓世界各國的人不致沉淪，反得永生。在苦難和逆境中，上帝有祂慈愛的美意。
[5] 有些人不能接受上帝預定和掌管一切事物。我們希望這些朋友們想一想：若不是上帝掌管一切，那麼，這個宇宙就是一個雜亂無章的世界。一切都是偶然。真的是如此嗎？還有更好的選擇——《聖經》不是這樣形容世界的。
[6] 上帝的『護理』為基督徒帶來各樣的好處：安慰、確據、力量、人生的意義、生命的使命。上帝預定了一切事情，是要我們這些信祂的人，活得更精彩、更有動力、更自覺自發地服事祂，服事別人。
上帝今天在世界上不同方面的護理 The Providences of God in the World Today
那麼，當事情具體發生時，上帝究竟在做什麼？祂如何工作？在過去兩個星期，我們討論了上帝的一部分工作：祂賜給人類普遍恩典；祂向人類進行審判，向自然界施行咒詛；祂也帶領人來到祂的面前接受救恩，並管教和煉淨教會。現在讓我們更全面性地、更有系統地來看。
[1] 上帝在世界上施行祂的普遍恩典，保存世界，治理世界。正面來說，祂賜各樣美物給人類，包括陽光雨水；負面來說，在大多數的情況下，祂限制罪惡對人類所發揮的負面影響力。總的來說，上帝保存人類的性命。傳染病毒畢竟不是每年都發生。
普遍恩典彰顯的其中一個方法，是人類在科技方面的進步，包括醫學和各種醫療科技。醫療科技的進步，可能對人類的生命和健康帶來改善。這反映人類是按照上帝的形象被造的。我們為此感謝上帝。
[2] 上帝也不斷透過祂所創造的宇宙向人類顯示自己（《羅馬書》1：19-20）。因此，每一個人在心靈的深處知道上帝。自然界雖然被咒詛，卻仍然述說上帝的榮耀（《詩篇》19：1-4）。在絕大多數情況下，自然界的運作，除了為上帝榮耀以外，是為了人類的幸福。
[3] 上帝向人類傾倒祂的忿怒，因為雖然每一個人都領受了上帝透過自然界的啟示（《羅馬書》1：19-20），但又都拒絕了這啟示（《羅馬書》1：18）。
我們的非基督徒朋友們，不但要為不接受福音而向上帝負責，他們也拒絕了上帝每一時刻的自然啟示。上帝今天正在警告人類，呼籲他們悔改，信靠耶穌基督。上帝是忍耐的，為了要我們回轉悔改（《羅馬書》2：4）。
[4] 上帝把祂的『道德律』放在人心裡。祂造每一個人都有良心。因此，雖然很多人沒有聽過《聖經》或福音，但是，他們有一個是非之心。他們會行出上帝的律法所吩咐的事（《羅馬書》2：12-16）。我們的確看到人間的愛心和犧牲。成千的醫療服務人員，和其他志願者冒著生命的危險去幫助別人。各界人士挺身而出，出錢出力，幫助有需要的人。復活節期間，安德烈波切利（Andre Bocelli，意大利盲人男高音）獨自站在米蘭大教堂前面，唱《奇異恩典》，盡他所能安慰人類。
人與動物不一樣。我們有良心。很美。感謝造物主。
[5] 上帝創造世界時，為人類設立了三個制度：婚姻家庭、政府、教會。上帝要人透過這些制度彼此建立，維持關係。我們要彼此立約，和諧共處，按照公義一同生活。我們要彼此幫助，為別人的好處著想。
當有災難時，我們看見這種『盟約生活』：人們拿出愛心來，甚至做出很大的犧牲；國家呼籲青少年回家隔離，要考慮到上一代的家人的健康；當兒女志願去前線服務病人時，父母親是會擔憂的；當病人去世時，家人不能在身邊安慰、道別，是特別痛苦的事；很多教會發動了慈惠事工，具體幫助有需要的人；不論是透過政府官方，或是民間的、自發性的，市民面對危機，往往都會團結起來。我們是被造的，要作『立約』群體（注：立約和聯邦是出自同一個拉丁文字根）。雖然人的罪和各樣邪惡的勢力要破壞我們之間的關係，可是，上帝的創造典章（制度）把我們全人類聯繫在一起。
[6] 但是，普遍恩典和普遍啟示，道德律和人的良心不能救人，不能使人的罪得到赦免，不能使人與上帝和好。普遍啟示的目的，是叫人沒有藉口不信上帝（《羅馬書》1：18-20）。普遍恩典的目的，是維持人間社會的秩序。而良心的具體情況是：人一方面會為自己辯護，另一方面又會控告自己。他不確定，在上帝面前的地位是如何的（《羅馬書》2：14-16）。因此，在整個人類歷史中，上帝展示了祂的恩典，祂大能的救恩。
這就是從亞當到耶穌基督，從舊約到新約的『救贖歷史』。今天，救恩已經成就了。耶穌已經為祂的百姓釘十字架、死、復活、升天。我們等待最後一個事件：基督再來並審判世界。在這個中介時期，我們要聽從福音，接受福音，並向世界萬國萬民傳揚這福音。在每一時刻，特別是在災難和物資短缺的時刻。
[7] 這就帶我們來到上帝的福音今天在世界中具體在做什麼。祂在呼籲，祂在邀請人來接受祂的獨生子——耶穌基督，罪人的救主。祂在呼籲人，無論男女老幼來回應福音這好消息，認罪悔改，信靠耶穌基督，以致罪得赦免。這個邀請是向全人類的，是真實的邀請，是上帝誠懇的邀請。上帝這麼地愛世人 ，讓一切信祂（耶穌基督）的，不致滅亡，反得永生（《約翰福音》3：16）。（這並不抹殺上帝預定一切事。福音的邀請和上帝的預定都是《聖經》所教導的。我們兩者都相信。）
朋友，你對福音做了回應嗎？你是否已經接受耶穌基督為你的神、你的救主和生命的主宰？今天就可以做。今天，現在就可以做這個禱告。
信靠耶穌基督的禱告
上帝啊，我承認要我來相信你是非常難的。求你開恩，憐憫我，賜給我信心。
我承認我是罪人，幹犯了你的誡命。求你赦免我的罪，賜我信心，信靠你是我的救主。求你潔淨我，住在我裡面作我的主宰。我願意從你的話得到方向，知道怎樣敬畏你，為你而活，甚至與你一同面對死亡。
感謝主，你把各樣恩典賜給相信你的人。我信。求你幫助我的不信。我的禱告都是靠罪人的救主——耶穌基督的名求。阿們（『阿們』的意思是：這是我誠心所願）。
[8] 另一件恐怖的事實是，福音傳到全世界，與此同時，有些人是不做回應的。他們的心是剛硬的。更恐怖的是，有時候上帝會使我們的心更加剛硬（《羅馬書》9-11章）。我們自己要為我們拒絕上帝負責任。但是，上帝有時候會任憑我們處於現狀，甚至使我們的心更剛硬。但願這不是你的情況！但願我們的心是柔軟的，上帝說話時，讓我們對祂有回應。
[9] 當福音傳出去時，一件奇妙的事會發生。上帝的話會抓住人的心靈和人的思維，聖靈會賜他們新生，一個新的生命。祂會潔淨人的心，住在他們的心裡（《約翰福音》3:3, 5, 8）。他們『從水，從靈』重生了。因著這個重生，人就自願地來到上帝面前，用上帝所賜給他們的信心，信靠耶穌基督，成為上帝的兒女（《約翰福音》1:12）。
范泰爾說，歷史上有著一個『分別出來』的過程。在人類歷史中，上帝不斷呼召祂的子民，成為聚集在祂面前的會眾 (ecclesia)，成為教會。
[10] 祂所呼召的子民，聖靈所重生的信徒，上帝不斷塑造、管教、改變，成為效法基督模樣的人。特別在一些歷史時刻，上帝呼召信徒們付出更重的代價來跟隨耶穌基督。這就是『萬事互相效力』的目的（《羅馬書》8:28-29）。教會歷史上不難找到逼迫的時期。世界歷史常有戰亂、飢荒、瘟疫。過去四十年到七十年，很多人沒有經歷到這些患難，這是上帝所賜的福氣。這段平安的日子是例外的。上帝如今要如何塑造我們？
上帝護理 (Providences) 的個案研究：《創世記》第12章的飢荒
讓我們來看一個物資缺乏的個案：《創世記》第12章記載的飢荒。讓我們看看上帝在這件事上多方面的護理。
背景：上帝的呼召，人的順服
先看背景。《創世記》第四至十一章，記載了亞當犯罪，人類墮落之後，上帝與人的關係。人繼續傲慢，誇耀自己的成就，甚至要建通天塔。但是，上帝施行普遍恩典：讓人類生活都市化。在文化上，人的確有所成就。上帝審判：透過洪水滅絕人類（除了挪亞一家八口），通過在巴別變亂人類的語言，人類分散了。這個語言的混亂，要等到五旬節才翻轉過來（《使徒行傳》第二章）。
第11章結束到12章開始，上帝在挪亞的後裔中揀選了他拉一家。他們離開了吾珥，到了哈蘭。但是在吾珥的時候，上帝已經呼召亞伯蘭要進一步走下去（《使徒行傳》7:2, 3），要離開父家，到祂為亞伯蘭預備的地方。上帝給亞伯蘭幾方面的應許：
上帝要親自賜福給他；
上帝預備了的地，要賜給他；
他的後裔要成為大國；
世界各國各族都要因他而蒙福。
這是救贖歷史的一個重要起點。亞伯蘭大概還沒有意識到，上帝的旨意是要從他一人開始，揀選祂的子民，成就祂的普世 救贖計劃，一直到主耶穌基督的道成肉身。亞伯蘭用簡單的信心（上帝賜他的信心《以弗所書》2:8, 9）啟程了。到了兩個地方，他都築壇，求告耶和華的名。
我們看到一個很好的開始：信心，順從，敬拜。
考驗與失敗：不信
馬上他要面對現實。糧食短缺了，那地有飢荒。上帝的恩典和計劃從來不改變。《聖經》沒有告訴我們，亞伯蘭有沒有考慮或求問上帝的旨意。但是，面對飢餓的威脅，他選擇了一條艱難卻看起來不可避免的路。雖然剛到異鄉，現在要再次搬遷。亞伯蘭的人性與我們一樣；也與以利亞一樣（《雅各書》5：17）。但是，他的信心還沒有成熟。
《聖經》告訴們，他帶著全家下到埃及。
一切罪的根源都是不信。亞伯蘭的信心非常脆弱。他只為自己的利益著想。他想要保存自己的性命。他撒謊，也叫他的妻子撒萊撒謊。撒謊和欺騙，至終讓亞伯蘭在埃及人面前名譽掃地。但是，埃及人第一眼看到的只是撒萊的美貌。因此，亞伯蘭也把妻子置於危險的境地——道德上的危險。同時，這樣做也讓埃及的法老王面臨道德上的危險。亞伯蘭的成聖過程現在受到威脅了。
上帝在做什麼事？祂在保護亞伯蘭。祂在保護撒萊。祂也在法老的良心裡做工。透過普遍恩典，上帝將祂的道德律法刻在法老的心裡（《羅馬書》2：14-16）。至於法老如何發現撒萊真正的身份，《聖經》並沒有告訴我們。但是，上帝仍然在埃及的宮廷和后宮做工。最後，法老面責亞伯蘭。亞伯蘭沒話可說，不能為自己辯護。法老（可能因為不要損自己的威嚴）並沒有要求亞伯蘭把豐富的禮物奉還。亞伯蘭從來沒有拒絕過，也沒有奉還。但是，在這件這麼糟糕的事情上，上帝施憐憫。上帝在成就祂的旨意。
結果是這位信心柔弱的亞伯蘭，連同他的侄子羅得，被趕出境了。帶著金銀財寶！（《創世記》13：1，2）羅得也過得不錯。這是何等不配得的恩典！亞伯蘭回到原來的地方，求告耶和華的名（《創世記》13：3，4）。
不信和犯罪為我們帶來什麼？使我們進一步犯罪，也導致別人犯罪。罪惡使我們在世人面前名譽掃地，有損我們的見證。在面對指責時，使我們無話可說。罪使我們的心剛硬。最重要的是，罪使我們忘記上帝的呼召、祂的恩典、祂的計劃。不論是糧食的短缺或物質豐富，恐懼與不信的後果是不堪設想的。
亞伯拉罕是蒙上帝揀選的人，受上帝的試驗而成聖。他在這個階段失敗了。福音的好消息是：耶穌基督是上帝揀選的獨生子。聖父試驗祂成聖。而祂每次通過考驗都是勝利的。亞伯拉罕是我們的警告。耶穌基督是我們的救主，為我們帶來盼望。
應用：我們應如何活下去？
我們也可以研究約瑟時期的飢荒。上帝在約瑟生命中在做什麼？在雅各生命中又在做什麼？在約瑟的弟兄們心中呢？還有埃及的酒政，法老？上帝各方面的護理 (providences) 是多姿多彩的！
我們今天應該如何活？
[1] 我們要儆醒。人生太短暫了。讓我們把每一天當做人生最後一天，這樣來生活。
[2] 讓我們設定一些目標：如何具體事奉上帝？如何具體離開自我中心的生活方式？年輕人考慮做準備和裝備，進一些具體幫助別人的職業，不要追求那些病毒飢荒一來首先關閉的行業，因為它們不是社會所必需的。
[3] 撥出時間在上帝面前安息、敬拜。我們不來到主的面前，怎能出去在人群裡面作他人的祝福 ?
[4] 不要忘記把最好的獻給主。要十一奉獻。在豐裕的日子，有些人遺忘了這方面的責任。在物資短缺時，這原則不改變——把最好的獻給主。
[5] 我們有什麼東西是不需要的？家裡的物品？空餘的愛好？生活習慣？當物資短缺時，很多東西就顯得奢侈。現在為什麼留著？
[6] 照顧我們所愛的人，照顧有需要的人。不論是教會裡面或教會以外（《加拉太書》6:10）。我永不厭倦那些終身服事別人的基督徒。默默耕耘，沒有人注意，是他們最自然做的事。
[7] 教會將來人數會減少。不論是因為不能大型聚會，或者是上帝的考驗，這就意味著教會裡能教導、能輔導、能帶領、能服事的人，相對於教會人數的比例會更高。你準備好餵養基督的羊嗎？還是繼續作靠別人餵養的會友？
耶穌說：『你愛我比這些更深嗎？……餵養我的羊。』這是我們復活的主的話。
主能！祂能裝備你！祂在呼召：『焉知你得了王后的位份，不是為現今的機會嗎？』（《以斯帖記》4:14）
Worship in Pandemic (3) FAITH
THROUGH THE LEAN YEARS: RESOURCE SHORTAGE AND THE WILL OF GOD
Samuel Ling
SCRIPTURE
Habakkuk 3:17-19
“Though
the fig tree should not blossom, nor the fruit be on the vines, the produce of
the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take
joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet
like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Romans 5:3-4
“Suffering
produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces
hope.”
Galatians 6:10
“As
we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who
are of the household of faith.”
INTRODUCTION:
WHAT IS GOD DOING IN THE WORLD?
These
are days that test our faith, “times that test men’s souls.” We’ve probably never experienced so many
crises all at once: financial, economic, employment, public health, shortage of
resources, food supplies … and most importantly, a crisis of fear and panic. Almost certainly, life will never be the
same… at least for years to come.
What
is God doing? What is God saying?
During
extraordinary historical moments like this, God is calling forth men and women
who will step forth in unswerving faith in him, and obedience to him. He is calling believers like Gideon’s troops,
Joshua and Caleb, Daniel and his three friends, Joseph and Paul. He is calling Hannah, Ruth, Mary, Lydia. Many will turn back. Jesus
asks his disciples: “Will you turn back also?”
Until
Christ returns, God is running this universe every day (and he will run the
universe when and after the Second Coming of Christ, only in a more glorious
way!). The question is: will we follow
the footsteps of Joshua and Caleb and the like?
Being
isolated indoors, and facing prohibition against large gatherings, the church
may never be the same again.
Shortages
of medical supplies, and potential crisis in supply chains, may mean food
shortages. Experts have been warning
about food shortage before Covid-19.
None
of us have ever experienced Covid-19.
Many of us, middle class urban dwellers, have never experienced hunger,
or any kind of shortage. For those of us
who have been living in relative comfort, we are a small minority in the world
and throughout history. Blessed
minority, but a minority nevertheless.
The vast majority of mankind is not as fortunate as we are!
I
remember when I was in elementary school, around 1961-1962, helping my father
to go to the Kowloon City post office in Hong Kong, carrying 2 lb. tins of oil,
sugar and flour to send to our relatives.
Our relatives in China were experiencing food shortages. My father had two older brothers (my oldest
uncle was a pastor) and a young sister; all of them had families. He later told us he quietly put some milk
powder into the flour to add nutritional value.
Recently, one of my uncles told
me that mother would send grandpa (her father) sausage and pork floss as well. They
still remember.
On
the way to the post office (along Carpenter Road, outside the former Walled
City), father would say to me, he felt like Joseph, who was preserved by God in
other to take care of his family members at a time like that.
Whether
the Coronavirus COVID-19 is a short-term or long-term disaster, other long-term
issues around the globe remain unresolved: climate change, refugees in
different parts of the world, injustice, and eventually, global food
shortage. If the Coronavirus is
terminated within a year or so (may it be so, Lord!), we will return to these
issues. If the virus becomes a
longer-term pandemic, we need to face several urgent issues at the same
time. No matter what happens, God is
strengthening our faith and shaping us to be better stewards and servants.
In
these two weeks, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have attempted to address
some of the foundational issues of our faith.
We studied Psalm 90 in relation to death and sickness; we looked at
Habakkuk in relation to God’s curse and judgment. See how God’s common grace is exhibited all
over the world through acts of human kindness and sacrifice. Of course, at the same time, God is carrying out his will concerning the
gospel and the church.
For
some of my readers, the “tension” between common grace, God’s curse, and God’s
redemptive grace which I have presented, may not be something easy to grasp. I will now expand this to include as many
aspects of God’s providence as I can, to map out a broader picture of how God
works in the world today. This article
represents the doctrine of providence as I understand it now, at this moment of
time. Perhaps I should say, this is my
application of this doctrine, to the best of my ability, at this point. I pray that it will strengthen your faith in
the sovereignty of God, and your assurance that “he’s got the whole world in
his hands.”
We
will discuss the issue of food shortage in view of, and in reliance on God’s
providence, his preservation of and rule over the entire world.
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
Let
us begin with a short and beautiful definition of providence. “What do you understand by the providence of
God? God’s providence is His almighty
and ever present power, whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and
earth and all creatures, and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and
drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches
and poverty, indeed, all things, come not by change but by his fatherly
hand.” (Heidelberg Catechism, Question
27.) This is my Father’s world!
Let
me put it more concretely.
[1]
God’s protection and rule covers “all things” in the world. “All things” include: the universe as a
whole; the physical world; animals and plants; the affairs of nations; the
birth and life of every person, and their successes and failures; protecting
the righteous; exposing and punishing the wicked; supplying the needs of God’s
people; answering prayer. (Louis
Berkhof, Systematic Theology.) Nothing,
nothing at all falls outside the scope of God’s providence. This,
of course, includes disasters like viruses and famines.
[2]
God rules over all things and does all things according to the counsel of his
will. This means that everything happens
just as God had planned it in eternity.
For us humans, there seems to be a gap, logically, between God’s
eternally predestined plan and what happens in the world. This remains a mystery, it is
unthinkable! But we must accept that
this is a truth which the Bible teaches: everything happens, just as God has
planned it in eternity.
[3]
God has predestined all things; when they actually happen, God does these
things through secondary causes.
“Secondary causes” include human choices, and all kinds of natural
causes. For example: a sparrow falls to
the ground. Various causes have
contributed to it: the wind blows, and perhaps the sparrow’s wings have been
injured. Viruses spread through the air,
through humans. God takes care of
patients, most of the time, through hospitals.
All is planned by God, all is directed by God. So, when the event happens, God is
“there.” God is everywhere! (Theologians
have given a name to this fact: “concurrence.”)
[4]
Everything happens for the glory of God; the ultimate purpose is that
everything comes under the lordship of Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10). This includes the wonderful fact that men and
women being saved and enter the kingdom of God.
God wills that people from all nations not perish, but have eternal
life. In suffering and in hardship, God
is working out his gracious will.
[5]
Some people cannot accept the fact that God has predestined all things, and
that he is ruling over all things. We
invite these friends to consider: if God is not ruling over all things, then
the alternative is: the whole universe is in chaos; everything happens by
chance. Is it really so? There is a better option: the Bible does not
describe our world this way.
[6]
God’s providence brings all kinds of benefits to Christians: comfort, assurance
of salvation, strength, meaning of life, and a sense of mission. Indeed, God has planned all things in
eternity: so that we may live more dynamically, with more momentum, that we may
serve him and others in a more self-conscious and self-motivated way.
HOW
GOD WORKS IN THE WORLD: THE “PROVIDENCES” OF GOD
So, when
things happen in the world, what exactly is God’s will? How is he working? We call these the “providences” of God. Discussed several times in the past two
weeks: God is giving mankind his common grace; he is working out his judgment
against mankind and his curse on the earth; he is also bringing people to
himself as Savior, and cleansing and disciplining his church. Let us list some of these works of God in a
more comprehensive and more systematic manner.
[1]
God is preserving and ruling over the world through his common grace. Positively, this means that he gives good
gifts to mankind, like sunshine and the rain; negatively, this means that, for
most of the time, he is restraining the power of sin and evil from exercising
maximum influence on mankind. In general, God preserves human lives; it is
rarely that a pandemic happens.
One
way that common grace operates is through human talent in science and
technology, including in medicine and the health sciences. To the extent that advances in technology
promotes the life and welfare of men, women and children, it reflects the image
of God in mankind. We thank God for that.
[2]
God is also revealing himself to mankind through the things that he created
(Romans 1:19-20), so that deep in the hearts of all men and women, they know
God. Even though nature is cursed, it
still proclaims the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4). In addition to glorying God, nature also operates for the welfare of mankind.
[3]
Because all men and women, though they receive God’s revelation through the
created world (Romans 1:19-20), reject this revelation, God’s wrath is poured
out on them (Romans 1:18).
Our
non-Christian friends are not only responsible to God for not receiving the
gospel; they have also rejected his revelation which is happening every
moment. God is warning mankind, calling
people to repent and trust in Jesus Christ today. He is patient so that people may turn to him
(Romans 2:4).
[4]
God has given men his “moral law,” and created men and women with a
conscience. Therefore, even though
people may not have heard of the Bible or the gospel, they have a sense of
right and wrong. They do things which
the law of God prescribes (Romans 2:12-16).
We do see deeds of human kindness and sacrifice. Hundreds of medical workers and other
citizens do volunteer to risk their lives to help others. People from all walks of life give what they
can, and do what they can to help those in need. Andre Bocelli sings “Amazing Grace” in front
of the Milan Cathedral at Easter, alone, to do his part to comfort humanity.
Humans
are different from animals. We have a
conscience. It is beautiful. Praise be to the Creator.
[5]
When God created the world, he established three institutions in and for
mankind: marriage and the family; government; and the church. God expects people to relate to one another
through these three institutions. We are
to make covenants and agreements with each other and live in peace, and abide
by norms of justice. We are to help one
another and seek our neighbor’s welfare.
When
disaster strikes, we see how this sense of “covenantal living” is expressed in
deeds of kindness and sacrifice. Young
people are called upon to isolate themselves, out of concern for the health of
their elderly family members. Parents do
worry when their children, medical workers or other first line workers, work to
serve those infected with the virus.
When loved ones die, family members agonize over the fact that they
could not offer comfort and say “Goodbye” in person. Churches mobilize for mercy ministries, to
serve those in need. Societies, whether
officially through the government or voluntarily through the citizens, often
come together in solidarity at a time of crisis. We are a “federal” (covenant) community. (Note: the root word for “federal” in Latin
means “covenant.”) Even though man’s sin
and various evil forces work to tear us apart, God’s institutions hold us
together.
[6]
However, common grace and general revelation, the moral law and our consciences
will not save us; these will not bring forgiveness of sin and peace with
God. General revelation’s purpose is to
make men and women without excuse not to believe God (Romans 1:18-20). The purpose of common grace is to provide
some measure of order in human society.
The actual situation of conscience is that people alternatively defend
or excuse themselves; they are not sure of their status before God (Romans
2:14-16).
So,
in the midst of all human history, God unfolds the story of his gracious,
powerful salvation that stretches from Adam to Christ, from the Old to the New
Testament. Today, this plan of salvation
has been accomplished. Jesus has died
for his people, he has risen from the dead, and returned to heaven. We await the final event: his return and
judgment of the world. Meanwhile, we are
to listen to and receive the gospel, and share it among all nations. In every moment, particularly in moments of
crisis and shortage.
[7]
This brings us to what God is doing today in the world with the gospel. He is calling, he is inviting people to
receive his Son Jesus Christ, savior of sinners. He is urging men, women and children to
respond to the gospel, repent, believe in Christ and receive forgiveness of
their sins. This offer is to all
mankind; it is real; it is a sincere invitation from God. God so loved the world … that all who believe
may not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). (This does not contradict the fact that God
has predestined everything. Both are in
the Bible; we believe both.)
Friend,
have you responded to the gospel? Have
you received Jesus as your God, your Savior and lord of our life? You can do it today. Here is a prayer you can pray, today, right
now.
A
Prayer to Put Your Trust in Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior
Dear
God. For me to put my trust in you is
very difficult. I admit, it is
difficult to believe. Please have mercy
on me and give me faith.
God,
I confess that I am a sinner, and have broken your laws. I ask you now to forgive my sin; cleanse me
and become Lord of my life. I want to
receive direction from your Word, so I can fear you, live for you, and face
death with you.
Thank
you, Lord, for giving all kinds of gifts to those who trust in you. I believe, help me in my unbelief. I pray in reliance upon the name of Jesus,
the savior of sinners. Amen.
(Note:
“To pray in the name of Jesus” means to rely on him and all he has done. “Amen” means, “I sincerely mean this.”)
[8]
It is a terrible thing, but at the same time that the gospel goes forth, some
people will not respond. Their hearts
have been hardened. What is more
terrible is that, sometimes God would further harden people’s hearts (Romans
chapters 9-11). We bear the
responsibility for rejecting God. But
God will allow us to remain in our condition, and further harden us. May it never happen to you and me. May our hearts be soft and responsive as God
speaks his Word.
[9]
As the gospel goes forth, God’s Word does a wonderful thing: it gets hold of
peoples’ hearts and minds, and the Holy Spirit gives them a new birth, a new
life. He cleanses their hearts and takes
up residence in them (John 3:3, 5, 8).
They are “born again” of water and spirit. Because of this new birth, people come to
God, willingly; they put their God-given faith in Christ, and become his
children (John 1:12).
Cornelius
Van Til speaks of the process of “differentiation.” God is separating his people from the world
throughout history. He is calling them
out to be the assembly, ecclesia, the church.
[10]
God’s people whom he has called, believers who were born again by the Holy
Spirit, God continues to mold and shape them, transforms them into the image of
Jesus Christ. That is the purpose why
“all things work together for good” for them (Romans 8:28-30). It is not difficult to discover periods of
persecution in church history; in world history, there have been wars, famines,
plagues. In the past forty to seventy
years, many people were spared these hardships.
This is God’s blessing. These
years of peace have been exceptions. How
will God mold and shape us now?
A
CASE STUDY IN GOD’S PROVIDENCES: FAMINE IN GENESIS 12
Let
us now look at a case study in material shortage: the famine recorded in
Genesis chapter 12. Let us see how the
providences of God are at work.
Background:
God’s Call; Man’s Obedience
We
will begin with the background.
From
Genesis chapter 4 through chapter 11, we read about the relationship between
God and mankind after Adam sinned and mankind fell. Man continued his arrogance, and bragged
about his achievements; men even wanted to build a tower that reached
heaven. Yet God gave common grace, and
allowed mankind to become urbanized and made some achievements in civilization. God judged: he destroyed mankind through the
flood – except preserving Noah and his family – and he confused men’s languages
at Babel. People scattered. This confusion of languages will not be
reversed until Pentecost (Acts chapter 2).
Toward
the end of chapter 11 and at the beginning of chapter 12, God chose one man
among all of Noah’s descendants: Terah.
He and his family left their homeland in Ur and arrived at Haran. But while at Ur, God had called Abram to go
further: to leave his father’s house to the land which he prepared for Abram
(Acts 7:2, 3). God gave him several
promises:
He
will bless Abram himself;
He
will give him the land prepared for him;
His
descendants will become a great nation;
All
the nations in the world will be blessed through him.
This
marks an important starting point in the history of redemption. At this point, Abram probably had not
realized that God was going to choose his people through him, and accomplish
his worldwide redemptive plan, all the way to the incarnation of our Lord Jesus
Christ. But he went in simple faith –
faith given to him by God (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
In two places he went, he erected altars and called upon the name of the
Lord.
We
see a very fine beginning: faith, obedience, worship.
Testing
and Failure: Unbelief
Then
reality struck. Food was short; there
was a famine in the land. The Bible does
not tell us whether God considered or consulted God. God’s grace and purposes don’t change. But in view of hunger, Abram chose a
difficult, but seemingly unavoidable path: he had just arrived at a strange
land, now he had to move to another strange land. Abram’s human nature is just like ours; just
like Elijah’s human nature (James 5:17).
But his faith was young. It needs to mature.
The
Bible tells us, he took his family and went down to Egypt.
All
sin, at its root, is unbelief. Abram’s
faith was very weak. He looked out for
his self-interest, the protection of his own life. He lied and told his wife Sarai to lie. Lying
and deception, of course, led to disastrous consequences as far as Abram’s
reputation before the Egyptians is concerned.
But all they initially saw was Sarai’s beauty. Thus, Abram also put his wife in danger –
moral danger. And he put the Pharaoh of
Egypt at moral risk as well. Abraham’s growth in sanctification is at risk.
What
was God doing? He was protecting
Abram. He was protecting Sarai. He was also working in Pharaoh’s conscience –
through common grace, engraving moral law in his heart (Romans 2:14-16). How Pharaoh found out about Sarai’s true
identity, the Bible does not say – but we can be sure that God was working
through the rumors of Egypt’s palace and the harem. At the end of the day, Pharaoh confronted
Abram and rebuked him. Abram offered no
reply in his own defense. Pharaoh
(perhaps out of pride as great king) did not demand that the abundant material
gifts be returned. Abram did not refuse
these gifts of unquestionable gain; nor did he return them. But God is merciful, and he was somehow
working out his plan through this entire debacle.
The
result was that Abram, this very young and fragile believer, was deported out
of Egypt … and with great wealth!
(Genesis 13:1, 2) His nephew Lot
did not fare too poorly, either. What
underserved grace! Abram returned to his
previous location, and there called upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 13:3,
4).
What
can unbelief and sin do to us? It causes
us to further sin, and leads others to sin as well. It makes us lose our
reputation before the world. It affects
our profession of faith in front of others.
It makes us defenseless in face of rebuke. It hardens our hearts. Most importantly, it makes us lose sight of
God’s call and his gracious purpose.
Whether in hunger or in abundance, fear and unbelief brings unimaginable
consequences.
Abraham
was God’s chosen, sanctified through testing.
At this point, he failed. The
good news is that Jesus Christ is God’s chosen Son, sanctified through testing. He always came through victoriously. Abraham’s example serves as our warning;
Jesus is our Savior, he is our hope.
APPLICATION
We
can go on and study the famine in Joseph’s life. What was God doing through this event to
Joseph? What was God doing in Jacob’s
life? What was God doing in the hearts
of Joseph’s brothers? Not to mention the
cupbearer, Pharaoh and the Egyptians… God is working out his manifold
providences!
How
shall we then live? If God is molding
and shaping us, if God is separating his people unto himself from all mankind,
how shall we wait upon him in his presence, and serve him in this world?
[1]
We need to be sober. Life is
short. Let us live as if every day is
your last da
[2]
Let us all set some concrete goals: how may we serve God practically? Concretely, how may we leave behind a
self-centered lifestyle? Young people,
consider careers that concretely help people.
Make plans, receive training.
Don’t consider those fields which, when viruses and famines come, will
be among the first to close down – because they are not “essential” for
society’s welfare.
[3]
Take time for rest and worship. If we
don’t come into God’s presence, how can we go out into the hustle and bustle of
humanity, and be a blessing to others?
[4]
Don’t forget to give God our best, including our tithe. In times of plenty some of us have neglected
this obligation; in times of shortage, this principle does not change. God deserves, he demands our best.
[5]
What are the things that we don’t need?
Items we have at home; things we love, our lifestyles? There are many things which, when famine
comes, will become luxuries. Why hold on
to them now?
[6]
Take care of our loved ones, take care of those in need, both inside the body
of Christ and outside (Galatians 6:10).
I never get tired to giving testimony to those Christians who spend
their entire lifetime serving others in need.
Quietly, without notice, as the most natural thing.
[7]
Churches will become smaller in the future, whether due to the limitations on
the size of gatherings, or because of God’s testing on our faith. This means that, proportionally, each church
will need a higher number of teachers, counselors, leaders and servants. Are you prepared and equipped to feed
Christ’s sheep? Or will you remain as
one of those who depend on other’s feeding?
Jesus
says: “Do you love me more than these? …
Feed my sheep.” Words from our risen
Savior.
He is
able. Able to equip you. He is calling. “Who knows whether you have come to the
kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
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