Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文「神說：『我必與你同在。你將百姓從埃及領出來之後，你們必在這山上事奉我；這就是我打發你去的證據。』」——出埃及記3:12
《出埃及記》第3章，是摩西生命一個非常重要的轉捩點。
四十歲以前，摩西在埃及王宮長大。他學了埃及人一切的學問，也有地位、有能力、有熱心。他看見自己的同胞受欺壓，就想靠自己的力量帶來改變。可是，他用的方法不是出於神，而是出於血氣。
他打死了一個埃及人，把屍體埋在沙土裏。他以為自己可以解決問題，結果不但沒有帶來拯救，反而帶來恐懼和逃亡。之後，摩西逃到米甸，在曠野牧羊四十年。從王宮到曠野；從王子到牧羊人；從以為自己甚麼都能做，到覺得自己甚麼都不能做。
這四十年，看起來像浪費，也像一段被遺忘的人生。摩西可能以為，自己已經失去了機會，人生大概就會這樣平凡地過去。但就在他八十歲的時候，神在何烈山向他顯現。
這讓我們看見一件很重要的事：神的路不一定按照我們預期的時間展開，但神從來沒有停止預備。同一時間，以色列人在埃及仍然受苦。他們做苦工、被壓迫，看不見出路。從人的角度看，法老仍然掌權，百姓仍然被奴役，環境完全沒有改變。
但神對摩西說：「我實在看見了。」「我也聽見了。」「我原知道他們的痛苦。」「我下來是要救他們。」
原來，在百姓還看不見出路的時候，神已經在預備；在摩西以為自己的人生已經沒有甚麼可以再做的時候，神正在呼召他進入早已預備的道路。
今天，我們也很容易問：為甚麼事情還沒有改變？為甚麼禱告了這麼久，仍然沒有答案？為甚麼我曾經很有熱心，最後卻失敗了？為甚麼我好像停留在曠野，找不到下一步？
《出埃及記》第3章提醒我們：進入神預備的路，不是靠自己闖出來，而是在看不見出路時相信神，在走不通時回到禱告，並且願意把生命的主權重新交給祂。
一、看不見出路時，相信神早有預備
「耶和華說：『我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦，我實在看見了；他們因受督工的轄制所發的哀聲，我也聽見了。我原知道他們的痛苦。』」——出埃及記3:7
以色列人在埃及受苦很久。他們看見的是苦工、壓迫、屠殺和黑暗；但神看見的，卻是祂更大的計劃。約瑟當年被哥哥出賣，以奴隸的身分進入埃及。在人看來，這是背叛，是咒詛，是一段完全不合理的人生。
但神卻使用約瑟，在饑荒來到以前成為埃及的宰相，預備了歌珊地，使雅各一家可以在那裏生活、生養眾多。七十個人進入埃及，後來成為一個龐大的民族。所以，以色列人在埃及四百年的歷史，雖然有黑暗，卻不是一段神失去掌管的歷史。
人的眼睛只看見眼前，神卻從開始已經看見結局。同樣，摩西在曠野四十年，看起來好像停滯不前，但神正在預備他。他在王宮學會知識，在曠野學會謙卑；他在埃及學會領導，在米甸學會等候；他曾經靠自己行事，神卻要教他倚靠神的同在。
有時候，我們會把「沒有改變」解讀為「神沒有工作」。但事實上，神的預備往往是在我們看不見的地方進行。
今天，也許我們正面對家庭的壓力、工作的難處、經濟的重擔、教會的疲倦、健康的問題，或一些很久仍未蒙應允的禱告。我們可能覺得：事情沒有出路；環境沒有改變；神好像沒有回應。
但神仍然說：「我看見了。」「我聽見了。」「我知道了。」
有些事情看起來像咒詛，神卻能把它翻轉成祝福；有些經歷看起來像延誤，神卻正在其中預備；有些道路看起來像走錯了，神仍然能把我們重新帶回祂的心意。
所以，進入神預備的路，第一步不是先看見答案，而是先相信：神在我還看不見的時候，已經開始預備。
二、靠自己走不通時，回到禱告裏
「以色列人因做苦工，就歎息哀求，他們的哀聲達於神。」——出埃及記2:23
摩西四十歲時，曾經想拯救自己的同胞。他的出發點未必是錯的。他看見不公義，也希望為受欺壓的人做一些事情。問題是，他用自己的方法，靠自己的力量，按自己的時間行動。結果，他打死埃及人，事情曝光，法老要殺他，他只能逃走。
摩西的失敗讓我們看見：好的動機，不代表可以用自己的方法；有負擔，也不代表可以不禱告、不等候。很多時候，我們與摩西很相似。看見家庭有問題，我們便想控制；
看見教會有需要，我們便急着推動；看見別人不改變，我們便開始批評；面對壓力時，我們第一個反應是想辦法，而不是來到神面前。
我們可能有熱心，也有經驗，但如果離開禱告，我們很容易用血氣完成屬靈的工作。《出埃及記》第2章最後記載，以色列人因苦工歎息哀求，他們的哀聲達到神面前。不是神以前不知道，而是當百姓開始向神呼求，他們的心才重新轉向神，也開始與天上的心意對齊。
禱告不是通知神發生了甚麼事。禱告是承認：我不能；我不知道；我需要祢；只有祢能帶來真正的拯救。有時候，我們會覺得禱告很慢，做事比較快。但靠自己做得快，不代表走在神的路上；禱告看起來慢，卻能使我們不走錯方向。特別在教會裏，我們很容易忙於聚會、安排、牧養、行政和服事，卻慢慢失去禱告。我們可能覺得大家已經很忙，再多一個禱告會好像增加負擔。
可是，當教會不再禱告，就會越來越依靠人的經驗、方法和能力；做得越多，裏面卻越疲倦。真正屬神的工作，不能只靠人的安排完成。
當家庭沒有出路，要禱告；當教會感到疲倦，要禱告；當我們面對攻擊和誤解，要禱告；當我們不知道下一步怎樣走，更要禱告。
禱告不是逃避行動，而是讓我們的行動重新回到神的心意裏。所以，進入神預備的路，第二步就是：當靠自己走不通時，不要再用力硬闖，而要回到禱告裏。
三、要走進神的路，先把主權交出來
「神說：『不要近前來。當把你腳上的鞋脫下來，因為你所站之地是聖地。』」——出埃及記3:5
摩西在何烈山看見一個大異象：荊棘被火燒着，卻沒有燒毀。何烈山是一個荒涼的地方。那裏滿是沙石，能夠生存的往往只是荊棘。荊棘矮小、粗糙、滿身是刺，也沒有甚麼經濟價值。平時人走過，只會避開，沒有人會特別留意。
但當神的火降在荊棘上，那棵原本普通、無人注意的荊棘，就成為吸引摩西轉身觀看的大異象。這也是我們生命的圖畫。我們可能覺得自己很普通，也可能曾經失敗、被人輕視、被人忽略；我們裏面有軟弱，也有傷痕，甚至覺得自己沒有甚麼價值。
可是，使荊棘變得不一樣的，不是荊棘本身，而是神的火臨到。神沒有先把荊棘變成高大的香柏樹，才使用它；神就在荊棘原本的樣子上，顯明祂的榮耀。同樣，神使用我們，不是因為我們本來多麼有能力，而是因為祂的靈臨到我們，祂的同在覆庇我們。
然而，當摩西走近時，神吩咐他脫鞋。鞋代表一個人的腳步、方向和掌控。脫鞋，就是把自己人生的主權交出來。摩西不能一面接受神的呼召，一面仍然堅持自己的方法；不能一面要神使用，一面仍然由自己掌控方向。
四十歲的摩西，穿着自己的鞋，走自己的路，結果失敗；八十歲的摩西，必須先脫下鞋，才開始走進神預備的路。這對我們也是一個很重要的提醒。我們常常對神說：「主啊，求祢帶領我。」但心裏已經決定要走哪一條路。我們說：「主啊，求祢使用我。」但只願意用自己熟悉的方法被祂使用。我們說：「主啊，我願意順服。」但仍然不願意放下面子、安全感、經驗和控制。
今天，神也許正在問我們：你願不願意脫下自己的鞋？你願不願意把方向盤交給我？你願不願意放下自己的方法，走我為你預備的路？進入神的旨意，不是叫神配合我們的計劃，而是我們願意走進神的計劃。
神對摩西說：「我必與你同在。」神沒有叫摩西相信自己的能力，而是叫他相信神的同在。摩西問：「我是甚麼人？」神沒有說：「你很厲害，你一定可以。」神的回答是：「我必與你同在。」真正使我們能夠走進神預備道路的，不是我們有多大的能力，而是神與我們同在。
所以，進入神預備的路，第三步就是：放下自己的主權，讓神決定方向。
總結
《出埃及記》第3章讓我們看見，神的道路早已預備，但人必須學習怎樣走進去。
摩西四十歲時，靠自己走；八十歲時，神叫他停下來、脫下鞋、聽見神的聲音。以色列人在埃及受苦，但神沒有忘記；摩西在曠野四十年，但神沒有放棄；荊棘在荒涼之地毫不起眼，但神的火使它成為大異象。
今天，也許我們正在一段看不見出路的日子裏。不要因為環境沒有改變，就以為神沒有工作；不要因為自己曾經失敗，就以為神不能再使用；不要因為前面的路不清楚，就再次靠自己硬闖。
神正在邀請我們：在看不見出路時，相信祂早有預備；在靠自己走不通時，重新回到禱告；在祂面前脫下鞋，把生命主權交給祂。
進入神預備的路，不是靠自己闖出一條路，而是：相信神早有預備，在禱告中與祂對齊，並且把生命的方向完全交給祂。
當我們願意這樣回應，神也對我們說：「我必與你同在。」
省察
- 我現在是否正為一件事情焦急，因為我只看見環境，卻沒有相信神早有預備？
- 在我的生命中，有哪一雙「鞋」是神要我脫下來——自己的方法、面子、經驗、安全感，還是對事情的控制？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢看見、聽見，也知道我們一切的處境。即使我們仍然看不見出路，求祢幫助我們相信，祢早已有預備。赦免我們常常靠自己的血氣、經驗和方法行事，求祢帶領我們重新回到禱告裏。主啊，今天我們願意在祢面前脫下自己的鞋，把計劃、方向、面子、安全感和生命主權交給祢。求祢的火和聖靈臨到我們，使我們不再靠自己，而是靠着祢的同在，走進祢早已預備的道路。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Theme Verse: “And He said, ‘I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.’” — Exodus 3:12 NKJV
Introduction
Exodus 3 is a major turning point in Moses’ life. When Moses was forty years old, he had grown up in Pharaoh’s palace. He had received the best education in Egypt, and he had a sincere desire to help his own people. However, he acted in his own strength and according to his own way. He killed an Egyptian, and in the end he had to flee to Midian.
For the next forty years, Moses worked as a shepherd in the wilderness.
He went from being a prince to being a shepherd. He went from thinking he could do everything to feeling that he could do nothing.
Those forty years may have looked wasted. Moses may even have felt forgotten by God.
But when Moses was eighty years old, God appeared to him at Mount Horeb.
This shows us something important:
God’s timing may not follow our expectations, but God never stops preparing.
At the same time, the Israelites were still suffering in Egypt. They saw slavery, pressure and darkness. Yet God said:
“I have surely seen.”
“I have heard.”
“I know their sorrows.”
“I have come down to deliver them.”
While the people could not see a way out, God had already begun to prepare. While Moses thought his life had no more purpose, God was calling him into the path that had already been prepared.
Today, we may also be facing situations without clear answers: pressure in the family, difficulties at work, financial burdens, tiredness in the church, health problems, or prayers that have remained unanswered for a long time.
Exodus 3 reminds us:
Entering the path God has prepared does not mean forcing our own way forward. It means trusting God when we cannot see the way, returning to prayer when our own strength fails, and giving the control of our lives back to Him.
- When You Cannot See the Way, Trust That God Is Already Preparing
“And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.’”
— Exodus 3:7 NKJV
The Israelites had suffered in Egypt for a long time.
From a human point of view, their history was filled with darkness. But God had never lost control.
Years earlier, Joseph had been betrayed by his brothers and taken into Egypt as a slave. From a human point of view, it was betrayal and a terrible curse. Yet God used Joseph to prepare a place in Goshen before the famine came, so that Jacob’s family could survive and grow.
Seventy people entered Egypt, but they later became a great nation.
Human eyes can only see what is happening now, but God sees the end from the beginning.
In the same way, Moses’ forty years in the wilderness may have looked like a long delay, but God was preparing him.
In the palace, Moses learned knowledge.
In the wilderness, he learned humility.
In Egypt, he learned leadership.
In Midian, he learned patience.
He once acted in his own strength, but God was teaching him to depend on God’s presence.
Many times, we think that “nothing has changed” means “God is doing nothing.”
But God often prepares things in places we cannot see.
So we must not judge God’s faithfulness only by today’s circumstances.
Some things may look like a curse, but God can turn them into a blessing.
Some experiences may look like delay, but God may be preparing us through them.
Some paths may look like mistakes, but God can still lead us back into His purpose.
The first step into God’s prepared path is this:
Before we see the answer, we choose to believe that God is already preparing.
- When Your Own Strength Fails, Return to Prayer
“Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.”
— Exodus 2:23 NKJV
When Moses was forty years old, he wanted to rescue his own people.
His desire may not have been wrong, but he acted in his own strength, in his own time and according to his own method.
As a result, he did not bring deliverance. Instead, he brought fear and had to run away.
This reminds us:
A good motive does not mean we can ignore God’s way.
Having a burden does not mean we can act without prayer and waiting.
Many times, we are like Moses.
When there are problems in the family, we try to control everything.
When the church has needs, we rush to make things happen.
When people do not change, we begin to criticise.
When pressure comes, our first response is to find a solution instead of praying.
We may have passion, experience and ability. But without prayer, we can easily try to do spiritual work in human strength.
Prayer is not telling God something He does not know.
Prayer is admitting:
I cannot do this.
I do not know what to do.
I need You.
Only You can bring true deliverance.
Sometimes we feel that prayer is slow and action is fast.
But moving quickly in our own strength does not mean we are walking in God’s way. Prayer may seem slow, but it keeps us from going in the wrong direction.
When the family has no way forward, pray.
When the church feels tired, pray.
When we face attack or misunderstanding, pray.
When we do not know the next step, pray even more.
Prayer is not an excuse to avoid action. Prayer brings our actions back into God’s will.
The second step into God’s prepared path is this:
When your own strength cannot take you forward, stop forcing your way and return to prayer.
- To Enter God’s Path, First Surrender Control
“Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’”
— Exodus 3:5 NKJV
At Mount Horeb, Moses saw a bush burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
A bush was small, rough and full of thorns. It had little value, and most people would simply walk past it.
But when the fire of God came upon that bush, it became a great sight that caused Moses to turn aside and look.
This is also a picture of our lives.
We may feel ordinary. We may have failed before. We may have been ignored or rejected. We may even feel that our lives have little value.
But what made the bush different was not the bush itself. It was the fire of God upon it.
God does not use us because we are naturally strong or impressive. He uses us because His Spirit comes upon us and His presence covers us.
However, when Moses came near, God told him to take off his sandals.
Sandals represent a person’s steps, direction and control.
To take off our sandals means to surrender the control of our lives.
Moses could not accept God’s call while still insisting on his own way. He could not ask God to use him while still keeping full control of the direction.
At forty, Moses wore his own sandals and walked his own way. He failed.
At eighty, Moses had to take off his sandals before he could enter the path God had prepared.
This is also an important reminder for us.
We often say:
“Lord, please lead me.”
But inside, we have already decided which way we want to go.
We say:
“Lord, please use me.”
But we only want to be used in ways that are familiar and comfortable.
We say:
“Lord, I am willing to obey.”
But we are still unwilling to let go of our pride, security, experience and control.
Entering God’s will does not mean asking God to fit into our plans. It means we willingly enter His plan.
God said to Moses:
“I will certainly be with you.”
God did not ask Moses to trust in his own ability. He asked Moses to trust in God’s presence.
Moses asked, “Who am I?”
God did not answer, “You are strong. You can do it.”
God answered:
“I will certainly be with you.”
What enables us to walk in God’s prepared path is not our ability, but His presence.
Summary
Exodus 3 shows us that God has already prepared the way, but we must learn how to enter it.
The Israelites suffered in Egypt, but God had not forgotten them.
Moses spent forty years in the wilderness, but God had not abandoned him.
The bush looked ordinary in a dry place, but God’s fire turned it into a great sign.
Today, we may also be in a season where we cannot see the way forward.
Do not think God is doing nothing just because the situation has not changed.
Do not think God cannot use you because you have failed before.
Do not force your own way again simply because the road ahead is unclear.
God is inviting us:
When we cannot see the way, trust that He is already preparing.
When our own strength fails, return to prayer.
When we stand before Him, take off our sandals and surrender control.
Entering the path God has prepared does not mean creating our own way.
It means:
Trusting that God has already prepared,
aligning ourselves with Him through prayer,
and fully surrendering the direction of our lives to Him.
When we respond in this way, God also says to us:
“I will certainly be with you.”
Reflection
Am I anxious about something because I am only looking at the situation and not trusting that God is already preparing?
What “sandals” is God asking me to take off—my own methods, pride, experience, security, or need for control?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing, hearing and knowing everything we are facing. Even when we cannot see the way forward, help us to trust that You have already prepared the way. Forgive us for depending on our own strength, experience and methods. Bring us back to prayer.
Today, we choose to take off our sandals before You. We surrender our plans, direction, pride, security and control to You. May Your fire and Your Holy Spirit come upon us. Help us not to depend on ourselves, but to walk in Your presence and enter the path You have already prepared.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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