The Anointing Part 1: Become a history maker || 膏抹 （1）：成为一个历史创造者

The life of faith can be a twisty road full of unexpected detours, U-turns and even dead ends. This road requires trust in God’s plan, obedience to follow even when the way seems crazy and grit to press on when things get hard. The more closely we learn to follow the Lord, the more epic and sometimes dangerous the journey. But following God’s will always leads us to in incredible destination. Are we willing to go there?

信仰的生活可能是一条曲折的道路，充满了意想不到的弯路，180度大转弯，甚至是死胡同。这条路需要相信Shen的计划，即使这条路可能看起来很疯狂，也要顺从Shen的带领；即使遭遇困难也要坚持。我们越是学着跟随主，这旅程就越壮丽甚至艰险。但跟随Shen总会将我们带到美妙绝伦的目的地。我们愿意去那里吗？

The prophet Samuel was a man who from childhood followed God closely. His obedience allowed him to lead Israel and anoint two kings: Saul and David. Samuel was a history maker.

先知撒母耳是一个从小就亲密跟随Shen的人。他的顺服使他带领以色列并且油膏任命了两个君王：扫罗和大卫。撒母耳是一个历史创造者。

Unfortunately, Saul did not have the obedient heart that Samuel did. When Saul was anointed as Israel’s first king by Samuel, he was filled with the Spirit of God and became a mighty leader. But all that changed when Saul disobeyed God and the Spirit the Lord departed from Saul and came rest upon another man of God’s choosing.

不幸的是，扫罗没有像撒母耳那样有顺从的心。扫罗被撒母耳膏为以色列的第一王，他充满Shen的灵，成为有能力的领袖。但当扫罗不服从Shen和圣灵的时候，一切都变了，主离开扫罗，来到另一个Shen所选择的人身上。

In Samuel’s mourning for Saul’s disobedience and rejection by God, the Lord told him that there would be a new king anointed. God would use Samuel once again to identify Israel’s king. But all God told Samuel to do was to go to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse. To get to Bethlehem, Samuel would have to pass through Gibeah of Saul. Saul already knew that God had rejected him, and Samuel knew Saul’s temperament. His jealousy and rage could put Samuel in danger. Samuel brought it to the Lord, and the Lord gave him a way to escape.

在撒母耳哀悼扫罗的不服从和被Shen拒绝的时候，Shen告诉他，将会有一个新的王受膏。Shen会再次用撒母耳来确立以色列的王。但Shen仅仅告诉撒母耳要去伯利恒膏抹耶西的一个儿子。要到伯利恒，撒母耳必须经过扫罗的基比亚。扫罗已经知道Shen拒绝了他，而且撒母耳知道扫罗的性情。他的嫉妒和愤怒会使撒母耳处于危险之中。撒母耳把这一切带到主面前，Shen给了他一条逃脱的路。

Obedience despite risk and uncertainty
不顾风险和不确定性的服从

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
1 Samuel 16:1-5 NIV

 

Shen对撒母耳说，我既厌弃扫罗作以色列的王，你为他悲伤要到几时呢？你将膏油盛满了角，我差遣你往伯利恒人耶西那里去。因为我在他众子之内，预定一个作王的。撒母耳说，我怎能去呢？扫罗若听见，必要杀我。Shen说，你可以带一只牛犊去，就说，我来是要向Shen献祭。你要请耶西来吃祭肉，我就指示你所当行的事。我所指给你的人，你要膏他。撒母耳就照Shen的话去行。到了伯利恒，那城里的长老都战战兢兢地出来迎接他，问他说，你是为平安来的吗？他说，为平安来的，我是给Shen献祭。你们当自洁，来与我同吃祭肉。撒母耳就使耶西和他众子自洁，请他们来吃祭肉。
撒母耳记上 16章 1-5节

Samuel was an obedient prophet, but he was aware of the unstable condition of Saul. Even though God had given Samuel explicit instructions of how to locate the new king, there were still some uncertainties (which son of Jesse?) and real dangers (will Saul find out?). Samuel knew the first steps and he got moving despite the uncertainty and risk. In your life calling, there will also be unknowns and risks. Are you waiting for all of the unknowns to be made clear and risks removed before stepping forward? Ask God for protection as Samuel did and then get going. More will be revealed once you take those first steps of obedience.

撒母耳是一个顺服的先知，但他知道扫罗的善变。虽然Shen给了撒母耳明确的指示，指示如何在那里找到新的国王，但我们仍然有一些不确定（耶西的哪个儿子？）和真正的危险（会被扫罗发现吗？）。撒母耳知道第一步，尽管存在不确定性和风险，他还是开始行动。在你的生活召唤中，也会有未知和风险。你是否在等待所有的未知和风险都消除了才行动？像撒母耳一样，求Shen保护，然后开始行动吧。你会发现从踏出服从的第一步起，事情就渐渐明朗了。

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”
1 Samuel 16:6-10 NIV

 

他们来的时候，撒母耳看见以利押，就心里说，Shen的受膏者必定在他面前。Shen却对撒母耳说：“不要看他的外貌和他身材高大，我不拣选他。因为，Shen不像人看人，人是看外貌。Shen是看内心。”耶西叫亚比拿达 从撒母耳面前经过，撒母耳说：“Shen也不拣选他。”耶西又叫沙玛从撒母耳面前经过，撒母耳说：“Shen也不拣选他。”耶西叫他七个儿子都从撒母耳面前经过，撒母耳说：“这都不是Shen所拣选的。”
撒母耳记上 16章 6-10节

Now what?
现在该怎么办？

When Samuel laid eyes on Eliab and admired his height, maybe he remembered the stature of Saul and his good looks and thought this must be the guy. But the Lord quickly responded to Samuel and corrected him with the now famous words, “The Lord looks at the heart.” For some reason, Eliab was rejected. We do not know why, but we do see Eliab’s anger flare up at David in the next chapter when David comes to visit the battle lines and hears about the undefeated menace Goliath.

当撒母耳看到以利押，欣赏他的身高时，也许他记得扫罗的高大身材和俊美样貌，并认为这一定是所找的那个人。但Shen很快回应了撒母耳并用一句现在著名的话纠正了他：“Shen是看内心。”由于某种原因，以利押被拒绝了。我们不知道为什么，但我们确实看到了下章中，在大卫来前线观战，并听说了不败之敌歌利亚时，以利押对大卫发怒。

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.
1 Samuel 17:26-30 NIV

 

大卫问站在旁边的人说：“有人杀这非利士人，除掉以色列人的耻辱，怎样待他呢？这未受割礼的非利士人是谁呢？竟敢向永生Shen的军队骂阵吗？”百姓照先前的话回答他说：“有人能杀这非利士人，必如此如此待他。”大卫的长兄以利押听见大卫与他们所说的话，就向他发怒，说：“你下来做什么呢？在旷野的那几只羊，你交托了谁呢？我知道你的骄傲和你心里的恶意，你下来特为要看争战。”大卫说：“我作了什么呢？我来岂没有缘故吗？”大卫就离开他转向别人，照先前的话而问。百姓仍照先前的话回答他。
撒母耳记上 17章 26-30节

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most beloved Bible stories. We all remember David’s bravery and faith. But does anyone remember Eliab’s anger and critical (and wrong) judgement of David? God knew what was in Eliab’s heart even though Samuel didn’t see it. Eventually the hidden things in Eliab’s heart were revealed by this interchange with David and we can maybe get a little idea of why God had rejected Eliab.

大卫和歌利亚的故事是最受欢迎的圣经故事之一。我们都记得大卫的勇敢和信心。但是有人记得以利押的愤怒和对大卫的批评和错误的论断吗？Shen知道以利押的心思，尽管撒母耳没有看出。最终，通过与大卫的交流，以利押隐藏的心思被揭露出来了，我们也可以从中稍微了解为什么Shen拒绝了以利押。

Give up or press on?
放弃还是坚持？

I can imagine Samuel at that critical moment. Seven sons had passed before him yet absolutely none were chosen by the Lord. But here Samuel has a dilemma. So far the journey had been successful. Saul had not heard of Samuel’s traveling. Samuel found Jesse and his sons. But when the seventh son passed before Samuel and all of them were rejected by God, now what? Samuel did not give up. He knew he had heard God correctly. And he did not doubt God. This was a crossroads moment. Give up or press on?

我可以想象撒母耳在那个关键时刻。在他面前有耶西的七个儿子经过，但没有一个是Shen拣选的。撒母耳陷入窘境。到目前为止，这段旅程都很成功。扫罗还没听说撒母耳的旅行。撒母耳也找到了耶西和他的儿子们。但当第七个儿子在撒母耳面前经过，都被Shen拒绝了的时候，该怎么办呢？撒母耳并没有放弃。他知道他正确无误地听从Shen。他并不怀疑Shen。这一刻他站在十字路口。放弃还是坚持？

This is the life of faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord directs His children. Jesus promised us that He would send the Holy Spirit to us and that we would never be alone. The Holy Spirit guides and trains us. And we must then do our part which is obedience and faith. When God leads you, He may not give you the full picture of what your future holds, but He will show you where to take the next step. Will you take step #1 even if you do not know steps #2, #3 and #4? His path for you may also be a bit risky. Have you asked Him to offer you the protection you need to move forward? And then when you come to a crossroads or worse, a dead end, do you give up? The life of faith includes uncertainty, risk and even moments of freefalling where you have no idea what to do. Persevere to follow God even when it is not clear. Samuel was in one of those freefall moments. But he pressed on with faith and asked a simple but maybe awkward question: “Are these all the sons you have?” Samuel wasn’t about to give up. He wasn’t even going to sit down.

这就是信仰的生活。Zhu藉著圣灵的能力引导他的儿女。Ye Su应许我们，他将把圣灵赐给我们，我们永远不是孤身一人。Shen的圣灵引导和训练我们。我们必须做我们的那部分工作，那就是服从和信心。当Shen引导你的时候，他可能不会给你未来的全貌，但他会告诉你下一步怎么走。你会在不知道第2、3、4步怎么走的时候，踏出这第1步吗？祂给你的道路也可能有点冒险。你会求祂在你前进时保护你吗?当你来到一个十字路口或者更糟，在一个死胡同的时候，你会放弃吗？信仰的生活包括不确定性、风险，甚至无所适从的时刻，你不知道该做什么。忍耐跟随Shen，即使前路不明。撒母耳当初就是在这样一个不知所措的时刻。但他坚定地走下去，问了一个简单但可能有点尴尬的问题：“这些就是你所有的儿子吗？”撒母耳并不打算放弃。他甚至都不准备坐席。

So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
1 Samuel 16:11 NIV

 

撒母耳对耶西说：“你的儿子都在这里吗？”他回答说：“还有个小的，现在放羊。”撒母耳对耶西说：“你打发人去叫他来。他若不来，我们必不坐席。”
撒母耳记上16章11节

Where was that youngest son? He was shepherding. Caring for the needs of sheep. Feeding and leading them. Defending them from attack of bears and lions with his sling and some stones. He was out in the fields alone with his sheep and his God. Maybe writing songs of praise to the Lord or at least gaining the inspiration from God that he would use in the years ahead to write such poetic verses as:

那个最小的儿子在哪里？他是牧羊人，照顾羊群的需要，喂养和领导它们，用他的投石器和石头保护它们免受熊和狮子的攻击。他独自在田野里，陪伴他的是羊群和他的Shen。也许他经常写一些赞美Shen的诗歌，或者至少从Shen那里获得了灵感，以致他会在未来的几年里写出这样的诗句：

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Psalms 23:1-3 NIV

 

Ye He Hua是我的牧者。我必不至缺乏。祂使我躺卧在青草地上，领我在可安歇的水边。祂使我的灵魂苏醒，为自己的名引导我走义路。
诗篇 23章 1-3节

So they called for David and the rest is history.
于是他们前去接大卫，历史就这样写成了。

Becoming a history maker starts with joining God in His history-making mission. Listening to God’s direction and responding in obedience even when the road ahead is uncertain, risky or just plain seems like a dead end. Press on with the Lord and see where He will take you on His mission.

成为一个历史创造者，从加入Shen的历史创造使命开始。听Shen的指示，顺服地回应，即使前方的道路是不确定的，危险的，或者只是普通的，就像个死胡同。决心继续跟随Zhu，看看祂会在大使命中将你带到哪里。