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今日經文: 撒母耳記下18章12-18節
全年讀經: 詩篇37-39篇 使徒行傳26章節
Todays Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:12-18
Bible in a Year: Psalms 37-39Acts 26
押沙龍生前曾在王谷為自己立了一根石柱。—撒母耳記下18章18節，新譯本
埃及法老王拉美西斯二世（Ramesses II）非常自負，他為了宣揚自己的榮耀而修建無數建築，包括多個刻劃出他容貌特徵的石碑。其中一座以紅花崗岩打造的雕像，高約11公尺、重約75公噸。但歲月並未善待這位驕傲的統治者，其實他在離世前，飽受牙齒問題、關節炎和慢性心臟病的折磨。他的一些紀念碑或許會存留一段時間，但他自己就像所有的凡人一樣，最終歸於塵土。
大衛王的一個兒子押沙龍，也以自己的名「立了一根石柱」（撒母耳記下18章18節）。這位年輕人因過去的悲劇激起的憤怒（參閱13章），以及自私的野心，企圖從父親那裡奪取「以色列人的心」（15章6節）。當押沙龍試圖奪取王位時，上帝卻不容許他勝過上帝所膏立的君王大衛（撒母耳記上16章12-13節），以及大衛的戰士（撒母耳記下18章6節）。最終，押沙龍因謀反而被殺害。雖然他為自己所立的紀念石柱仍然屹立（18節），但他卻在屈辱和失敗中死去。
為自己修建紀念碑，以滿足本身的虛榮和慾望，最終都不會有好結局。但是，如果我們謙卑地服事上帝，並盡心地愛祂（腓立比書2章3-8節），便能夠在上帝面前，找到生命真正的意義和滿足。
馮得恩
撒母耳記下13章記載，押沙龍的妹妹她瑪被同父異母的兄弟暗嫩玷辱。而他們的父親大衛王聽見這事，雖然非常憤怒（21節），但卻放任不管。兩年後，押沙龍設下計謀殺害暗嫩（23、28-29節），隨後便逃到異國他鄉。對此，大衛再度置之不理，且長達數年之久（參閱14章）。因此，押沙龍對父親的憤怒和叛變，在很大程度上是由於大衛沒有採取任何行動、作錯誤的抉擇，以及沒有好好教導孩子們。後來，押沙龍為自己立了「押沙龍碑」（18章18節，和合本修訂版），顯示出他與父親大衛、與上帝之間的疏離。今天，作為基督徒，聖靈會在你我心中引導我們。靠著聖靈的能力，我們能信靠上帝的公義。聖靈會幫助我們，謙卑地服事祂，並願意看重別人，學習先人後己。
During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it . . . as a monument to himself.
The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II thought so much of himself that he had numerous structures built in his honor, including many monuments that captured his physical features. One, the colossal statue of Ramesses II, stands thirty-six feet tall and weighs eighty-three tons in all its red-granite glory. Age wasn’t kind to the proud ruler, however. In fact, when he died, he was suffering from bad teeth, arthritis, and chronic heart problems. Some of his monuments might last for a while, but—like all mortals—he himself passed.
Absalom, one of King David’s sons, also built “a monument to himself” (2 Samuel 18:18). Fueled by rage from past tragedy (see ch. 13) and selfish ambition, this younger man worked to steal “the hearts of the people of Israel” from his father (15:6). When Absalom attempted to pilfer the throne, however, God didn’t allow him to overpower David, His anointed king (1 Samuel 16:12-13), and David’s fighting men (2 Samuel 18:6). In the end, Absalom was killed for his treachery. Although his monument still stood (v. 18), he died humbled and defeated.
Building monuments to ourselves and serving our own pride and desires won’t end well. But as we humbly serve God and love Him well (Philippians 2:3-8), we’ll find true meaning and fulfillment in His presence.
Why is living for and serving yourself an empty pursuit? What does it look like for you to humbly serve God?
All-powerful God, please help me to serve You in love and humility. You’re the only one who’s worthy of my worship.
