Rev Xi An Poon
親愛的家人，平安。
今天我們來到創世記第18章。若承接第17章來看，我們會看見神已經很清楚向亞伯拉罕說明祂的約、祂的應許和祂的心意。神不但把亞伯蘭改名為亞伯拉罕，也把撒萊改名為撒拉，並且清楚宣告撒拉要生一個兒子，名叫以撒。
可是到了第18章，神再次向亞伯拉罕的家說話。這不是因為神忘記了自己說過甚麼，而是因為人的心很容易在現實面前搖動。撒拉聽見神再次說：「明年這時候，撒拉必生一個兒子」，她心裡卻暗笑。
這讓我們看見一個很真實的光景：人可以聽過神的話，也知道神的應許，但當現實、年齡、身體、經驗和多年的失望擺在眼前時，心裡仍然會問：「這真的可能嗎？」
神沒有因撒拉的暗笑而收回應許，卻直接指出她心裡隱藏的聲音，並問她：「耶和華豈有難成的事嗎？」這句話今天也同樣對我們說話。
站立在神的應許中，不是從來沒有疑問；而是在疑問、害怕和軟弱中，讓神的話再次成為我們生命的根基。
一、重新聽見神的話
創世記 18:10「到明年這時候，我必要回到你這裡；你的妻子撒拉必生一個兒子。」
神已經在第17章說過應許，但在第18章祂再次說。這提醒我們，人的心需要一次又一次被神的話扶持。
很多時候，我們不是不知道神的話，而是聽過之後，因著時間拖延、環境壓力和現實限制，心慢慢疲乏了。
神今天也要我們重新聽見祂的話。祂不是責備我們為何軟弱，而是再次把祂的應許放在我們面前，使我們重新相信、重新等候、重新站穩。
站立在神的應許中，第一步就是讓神的話再次進入我們心裡。
二、讓神光照心中的不信
創世記 18:12-14「撒拉心裡暗笑……耶和華豈有難成的事嗎？」
撒拉不是公開反對神，她只是心裡暗笑。但神聽見了。
這讓我們知道，神不單聽見我們口中的禱告，也聽見我們心裡隱藏的聲音。祂知道我們外面說相信，裡面卻可能仍然害怕；祂知道我們口裡說阿們，心裡卻可能仍然懷疑。
撒拉後來因為害怕而不承認自己暗笑，這也像創世記第3章中亞當夏娃因害怕而躲藏一樣。當神光照人心時，人很自然會想否認、解釋、保護自己。
但神光照不是為了羞辱我們，而是要把我們從不信和害怕中帶回應許。
今天，我們也可以誠實來到神面前，承認心裡的軟弱、不信和暗中的疑問。神不是不知道，祂知道；祂不是要定罪我們，祂是要再次扶起我們。
三、帶著應許站在神面前
創世記 18:17-19「亞伯拉罕必要成為強大的國；地上的萬國都必因他得福。」
創世記18章後半段，神讓亞伯拉罕知道所多瑪、蛾摩拉的事。這顯示亞伯拉罕與神的關係進入更深的位置。
亞伯拉罕不只是領受應許的人，他也開始活出承受應許之人的身分。他不只是等候一個兒子，他也開始帶著父親的心，為別人的生命站在神面前代求。
創世記 18:27「我雖然是灰塵，還敢對主說話。」
這句話顯出亞伯拉罕的謙卑，也顯出他的勇敢。他知道自己在神面前不過是灰塵，但他仍然願意為所多瑪站在神面前呼求。
這就是承受應許之人的生命：不是只關心自己得著甚麼，也開始關心別人的結局；不是只領受祝福，也願意承擔代求。
今天，神也呼召我們站立在祂的應許中，不只是相信祂會成就祂的話，也讓祂的應許塑造我們，使我們成為能為家庭、教會、下一代、城市和未得之民代求的人。
總結
創世記第18章讓我們看見，神的應許不會因人的軟弱而失效，神的信實也不會因人的暗笑而停止。
神再次向亞伯拉罕和撒拉說話，因為祂知道人的心需要重新聽見。神光照撒拉心中的暗笑，因為祂要把人從不信和害怕中帶回應許。神讓亞伯拉罕知道所多瑪的事，因為祂要他不只是領受祝福，也開始承擔祝福。
今天，讓我們不再站在自己的感覺中，不再站在過去的失望中，不再站在環境的限制中，也不再站在害怕和否認中。
讓我們重新站立在神的應許中。
因為耶和華豈有難成的事嗎？到了日期，祂必照祂所說的成就。
禱告
親愛的天父，我們感謝祢。
祢是信實的神，祢所說的話永不落空。即使我們的心會搖動，即使我們會因現實而懷疑，祢仍然再次用祢的話扶持我們。
主啊，求祢赦免我們。很多時候，我們聽見祢的應許，卻讓環境大過祢；我們知道祢說過話，卻讓失望控制我們；我們口裡說相信，心裡卻仍然害怕和退縮。
聖靈，求祢光照我們心中隱藏的不信，醫治我們因等候而產生的疲乏。幫助我們重新聽見祢的話，重新相信祢的應許，重新站立在祢面前。
也求祢把亞伯拉罕那種父親的心放在我們裡面，使我們不只是為自己得祝福，也願意為家庭、教會、下一代、城市和未得之民站在祢面前代求。
主啊，我們相信祢沒有難成的事。到了祢所定的日期，祢必照祢所說的成就。
奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 18
1 耶和華在幔利的橡樹那裡向亞伯拉罕顯現。那時天氣很熱，亞伯拉罕坐在帳篷口， 2 抬頭看見三個人站在對面，就跑去迎接他們，俯伏在地， 3 說：「我主，你們若肯賞光，請不要匆匆路過僕人這裡。 4 我讓人拿點水來，你們洗洗腳，在樹下歇一會兒。 5 我拿點餅來，你們補充一下體力再上路吧。你們既然路過這裡，我理應招待你們。」他們說：「好，就照你說的做吧！」
6 於是，亞伯拉罕連忙進帳篷對撒拉說：「快準備三斗細麵粉，和麵烤餅。」 7 亞伯拉罕又跑到牛群中牽了一頭肥嫩的小牛，吩咐僕人趕快準備好。 8 亞伯拉罕把奶、乳酪和準備好的牛肉擺在客人面前，站在樹蔭下招待他們。
9 那三位客人問亞伯拉罕：「你妻子撒拉在哪裡？」亞伯拉罕回答說：「在帳篷裡。」 10 其中一人說：「明年這時候，我會再來你這裡，撒拉必生一個兒子。」這話被站在那人後面帳篷口的撒拉聽見了。 11 亞伯拉罕和撒拉已經年紀老邁，撒拉的月經也已經停了。 12 撒拉暗自發笑，心想：「我已經這麼老了，還會有這種福氣嗎？況且我的丈夫也很老了。」 13 耶和華問亞伯拉罕：「撒拉為什麼偷笑說，『我這把年紀還會有孩子嗎？』 14 什麼事難得住耶和華呢？明年這時候，我會再來你這裡，撒拉必生一個兒子。」 15 撒拉聽見後非常害怕，連忙否認說：「我沒有笑！」但耶和華說：「不，你確實笑了。」
16 那三個人就起身朝所多瑪眺望，亞伯拉罕與他們同行，要送他們一程。 17 耶和華說：「我要做的事怎麼可以瞞著亞伯拉罕呢？ 18 亞伯拉罕必成為強盛的大國，世上萬國必因他而蒙福。 19 我揀選了他，是要他教導自己的子孫後代持守我的道、秉公行義。這樣，我必實現對他的應許。」 20 耶和華說：「所多瑪和蛾摩拉罪惡深重，人們怨聲載道。 21 我現在要下去看看他們的所作所為是否如所說的那樣邪惡，如果不是，我也會知道。」
22 其中二人轉身向所多瑪走去，亞伯拉罕卻仍舊站在耶和華面前。 23 亞伯拉罕上前說：「你要把義人和惡人一同毀滅嗎？ 24 倘若城中有五十個義人，你還要毀滅那城嗎？你會不會為了五十個義人而饒恕那座城呢？ 25 你絕不會黑白不分，把義人和惡人一同毀滅。你是普天下的審判者，難道不秉公行事嗎？」 26 耶和華回答說：「倘若我在所多瑪城中找到五十個義人，我就要因他們的緣故饒恕全城。」 27 亞伯拉罕說：「主啊，雖然我渺小如灰塵，但我還要大膽地求問你， 28 倘若只有四十五個義人，你會因為少了五個義人而毀滅全城嗎？」耶和華說：「倘若我在城裡找到四十五個義人，我也不會毀滅那城。」 29 亞伯拉罕又說：「倘若在那裡找到四十個義人呢？」耶和華說：「為了那四十個人的緣故，我不會毀滅那城。」 30 亞伯拉罕說：「求主不要發怒，容許我再問一次，倘若在那裡只找到三十個義人呢？」耶和華說：「倘若在那裡只找到三十個，我也不會毀滅那城。」 31 亞伯拉罕說：「我大膽再問一次，倘若在那裡只找到二十個義人呢？」耶和華說：「為了那二十個人的緣故，我也不會毀滅那城。」 32 亞伯拉罕又說：「求主不要發怒，讓我問最後一次，倘若在那裡只找到十個義人呢？」耶和華說：「為了那十個人的緣故，我也不會毀滅那城。」 33 耶和華跟亞伯拉罕說完話便離開了，亞伯拉罕也回家去了。
Dear family, peace to you.
Today, as we read Genesis 19, we see Lot living in Sodom. At the beginning of the chapter, the Bible says that Lot was “sitting in the gate of Sodom.” In ancient times, the city gate was not just a place for people to sit. It was a place where important matters were handled, where leaders and influential people gathered.
This shows that Lot was no longer just a visitor in Sodom. He had a position there. He had relationships there. He had influence there.
However, although Lot had a position, he did not bring the truth and light of God into the city. When the men of Sodom surrounded his house and wanted to harm the two visitors, Lot did not stand firmly in God’s truth. Instead, he tried to solve the situation by human compromise, even offering his two daughters to them.
This is a very serious reminder. Being lost does not usually happen suddenly. Lot first chose the well-watered plain. Then he gradually moved his tent toward Sodom. Later, he lived in Sodom. By Genesis 19, he was already sitting at the gate of Sodom.
When a person remains too long in a wrong environment and wrong value system, spiritual discernment can slowly become weak, and spiritual influence can gradually be lost.
Yet Genesis 19 is not only a story of judgment. It is also a story of mercy. Lot lingered and delayed, but God still sent angels to take him by the hand and bring him and his family out of the city. God did not immediately give up on Lot because of his weakness. Instead, God reached out to save him.
Today, God is also calling us to come out of our lostness and step into life.
- Stand in your position and carry God’s light
Genesis 19:1 says that Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
Having a position is not the problem. The real question is whether we are carrying God’s light in that position.
God places us in our families, workplaces, church, community, and relationships not only so that we may live comfortably, but so that we may become a blessing.
We need to ask ourselves:
Does the place where I stand become closer to God because of me?
Do my family, colleagues, friends, and people around me see God’s truth, mercy, and love through my life?
Or am I only surviving in the environment, without bringing God’s light into it?
God does not want us to be shaped by the environment. He wants His truth to rule in our lives so that we may become vessels of blessing.
- Do not face evil with human compromise
Genesis 19:8 records that Lot, in order to protect the two visitors, was willing to offer his two daughters.
This is a very painful and heavy picture. Lot knew that what the men of Sodom wanted to do was evil, but his response showed the confusion within him. He wanted to solve the problem, but he used the wrong method. He wanted to protect the guests, but he was willing to harm those whom God had entrusted to him.
This reminds us that sometimes we do know the truth, but under pressure, we choose compromise. We may want to keep outward peace, avoid conflict, protect relationships, save face, or preserve our sense of security. As a result, we may fail to stand according to God’s heart.
But God calls us to have truth in love, boundaries in gentleness, and discernment in mercy.
To come out of lostness is not to cover problems with human methods. It is to return to God and allow Him to restore clear judgment and the courage to obey.
- Hear God’s call and courageously come out of lostness
Genesis 19:16 says, “And while he lingered.”
This is a very important sentence in the chapter.
Lot had already heard God’s warning. He knew the city was about to be destroyed, yet he still lingered. Many times, people delay not because they do not know the danger, but because the old life is familiar, and the old sense of security is hard to let go.
But the verse continues: “The LORD being merciful to him,” the angels took his hand and brought him out.
This is the mercy of God. Lot was not decisive, but God still took hold of his hand. Lot was still weak, but God still saved him. God was not trying to shame him. God wanted to bring him out from the place that was about to be destroyed.
Today, God is also taking us by the hand. He wants to bring us out of lostness, compromise, delay, and looking back, and lead us into the life He has prepared for us.
Summary
Genesis 19 shows us a deep spiritual reminder.
Lot had position, but he lost spiritual influence.
He knew what was evil, but he used human compromise.
He heard God’s warning, but he still lingered.
This is lostness. Lostness does not always mean completely not knowing God. Sometimes it means slowly losing God’s direction. It does not always mean having no goodness at all. Sometimes it means losing the judgment of truth under pressure. It does not always mean refusing to leave. Sometimes it means delaying and looking back when God is calling us forward.
But thanks be to God, He is still merciful. He took Lot by the hand, and He is also willing to take us by the hand, bringing us out of lostness and leading us into life.
Reflection
Today, let us be still before God and reflect:
Am I standing in a position of influence, yet not truly carrying God’s light?
Am I trying to keep outward peace in my family, work, or relationships, but not walking according to truth?
Do I know that something is not pleasing to God, yet continue to handle it with human compromise?
Have I heard God reminding me to leave certain old habits, old patterns, or old values, yet I still delay?
Have I outwardly moved forward, but inwardly still look back to old security, old enjoyment, or old ways of life?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You.
Today, through Genesis 19, You allow us to see the life of Lot, and You also allow us to see our own condition. Lord, forgive us. Sometimes we stand in certain positions, yet we do not truly carry Your light. Sometimes we know Your truth, yet under pressure we compromise with human methods. Sometimes we hear Your reminder, yet we still linger and delay.
Lord, have mercy on us. When we are weak, hesitant, and not strong enough, take our hands again. Bring us out of lostness, compromise, delay, and looking back.
Holy Spirit, shine Your light upon us. Help us to see where our lives are slowly losing direction. Restore in us the courage to stand in truth. Help us not to remain in lostness, but to follow You into life.
Lead us out of lostness and into life.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Genesis 18
1 Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.”
They said, “Do as you have said.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.
9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
So he said, “Here, in the tent.”
10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid.
And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”
16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. 17 And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” 20 And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”
So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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