Tuesday, 4th August 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文 「看哪，我差遣使者在你前面，在路上保護你，領你到我所預備的地方去。」——出埃及記23:20
引言
我們每一個人都盼望得到神的帶領。當我們面對家庭、工作、服侍和人生的轉變時，心裏常常會問：「前面的路應該怎樣走？神是否仍然與我同在？為甚麼環境還沒有改變？神的應許甚麼時候才會成就？」
出埃及記第23章記載，以色列人正處於人生一個重要的過渡階段。他們已經離開埃及，卻仍未進入應許之地；後面的奴役生活已經結束，前面的道路卻仍然充滿未知。神沒有立刻把他們帶進迦南，而是在西奈山繼續教導他們，怎樣活出一個真正屬神子民的生命。
因為離開埃及可能只需要一段時間，但要把埃及的思想、價值觀和生活方式從他們生命中除去，卻需要神不斷地教導和更新。因此，第23章不只是在告訴以色列人甚麼可以做、甚麼不可以做；神更要把祂的性情和天國的印記放在他們的生活中，使世人從他們的說話、行為、敬拜和群體生活，看見耶和華是一位公義、憐憫、信實並且眷顧人的神。
在第23章最後，神給以色列人一個寶貴的應許：「我差遣使者在你前面，在路上保護你。」神應許走在他們前面，也在路上保護他們。然而，神不只是要改變他們前面的環境，也要預備他們的生命，使他們成為能夠承受應許的人。
我們有時只希望神立刻解決困難、打開出路；但神更關心的，是我們在這段路上成為一個怎樣的人。神的恩典把我們帶上這條路，而我們的順服並不是用來換取神的恩典；順服是我們蒙恩以後，向神作出的信心回應。
當前路仍然不清楚，環境還沒有改變時，我們應當怎樣走在神的帶領中呢？
一、在每天的選擇中，走神喜悅的路
「不可隨夥佈散謠言；不可與惡人連手妄作見證。不可隨眾行惡。」——出埃及記23:1–2
神首先教導以色列人，怎樣在每天的選擇中活出公義。他們不可散播謠言、不可作假見證，也不可因為大多數人都這樣做，就跟隨眾人一起行惡。神的子民不能只跟隨環境和群眾，而是要按照神的真理作出選擇。
神甚至吩咐他們，若看見仇敵的牛或驢走失，也要把牠牽回去；若看見恨他們之人的驢被重擔壓倒，也不可袖手旁觀，仍然要幫助對方。這讓我們看見，神的公義和憐憫不會因為個人的感受而改變。我們不能因為喜歡一個人就幫助他，因為不喜歡另一個人就不理會他。
神也特別吩咐：「不可欺壓寄居的；因為你們在埃及地作過寄居的，知道寄居的心。」——出埃及記23:9
以色列人曾經在埃及受過欺壓。如今神把他們拯救出來，他們就不可成為另一群欺壓別人的人。神要以色列人明白，真正分別為聖的生命，不只表現在聚會、禱告和敬拜中，也表現在他們每天怎樣說話、怎樣對待別人，以及在利益和壓力面前，是否仍然持守真理。
我們常常求神指引前面的方向，但神有時首先要處理的，是我們今天所作的選擇。因為走在神的帶領中，不只是知道將來要去哪裏，更是在今天選擇走神所喜悅的道路。神不只是關心我們最後能夠得到甚麼，也關心我們在這段路上成為一個怎樣的人。
二、在順利的日子裏，仍然記念神
「一年三次，你要向我守節。」——出埃及記23:14
神吩咐以色列人守安息年、安息日，也要一年三次向祂守節。安息年讓土地在第七年休息，使窮人可以吃田裏自然生長的出產；安息日則讓人、僕人、寄居者和牲畜都得到喘息。當以色列人願意停下工作，就是承認生命不是單靠自己的能力和勞力維持。真正的安息，是相信即使我們暫時停下來，神仍然掌管一切，祂仍然是我們生命真正的供應者。
神也吩咐他們一年三次守節：
- 除酵節，使他們記念神怎樣把他們帶出埃及；
- 收割節，使他們感謝神賜下初熟的出產；
- 收藏節，使他們在一年收成完成時，再次感謝神的供應。
這些節期不斷提醒以色列人：他們的自由、生命、土地和收成，都不是單靠自己的能力得來，而是神恩典的供應。神不要他們只在缺乏、危險和走投無路時才尋求祂。祂也要他們在平安、豐收和順利的日子裏，仍然記念祂、感謝祂。我們最大的危險，有時不是在困難中失去信心，而是在順利中忘記神。當生活漸漸穩定、工作有了成果、家庭得到祝福，我們很容易以為一切都是靠自己的能力得來的。
當人把自己看得太大，就會漸漸看不見自己對神的需要；但是感恩能使我們重新記得：生命、健康、家庭、工作、恩賜和機會，全都是從神而來。走在神的帶領中，不只是在遇到困難時向神呼求，更是在順利的日子裏，仍然承認神是我們生命的主。真正信靠神的人，不只是在需要幫助時尋找神，而是在每一個季節中都記念神、感謝神，尊祂為神。
三、在還未看見結果時，繼續跟隨神
「看哪，我差遣使者在你前面，在路上保護你，領你到我所預備的地方去。」——出埃及記23:20
神不只是向以色列人頒布律例，也給他們一個充滿盼望的應許。神應許差遣使者走在他們前面，在路上保護他們，並且帶領他們進入應許。以色列人前面的道路雖然陌生，但他們不是獨自前行，因為神已經走在他們前面。
然而，神也吩咐他們要留心聽從祂的聲音，不可敬拜迦南人的神明，也不可讓其他事物取代神在他們生命中的位置。分別為聖不是與所有人隔絕，而是在不同的環境中仍然專一屬於神。無論周圍的人怎樣選擇，我們仍然尊神為神，聽從祂的聲音，跟隨祂的道路。
接着，神對以色列人說：「我要漸漸地將他們從你面前攆出去，等到你的人數加多，承受那地為業。」——出埃及記23:30
神沒有在一年之內把所有仇敵完全趕出去。因為如果事情發生得太快，土地可能荒涼，野獸也可能增加。神知道以色列人當時能夠承受多少，所以祂要按照自己的時間，「漸漸地」成就祂的應許。
我們有時希望神立刻改變環境、立刻解決問題、立刻打開前面的道路。當事情沒有按照我們期待的速度發生，我們便會懷疑神是否仍然帶領我們。但是，神的「漸漸地」並不表示祂忘記了我們，也不表示祂的應許落空。神知道我們現在能夠承受多少，也知道甚麼時候才是最合適的時間。
神不只是在預備前面的道路，也在預備我們的生命。祂要擴張我們的容量、建立我們的信心、除去我們舊有的思想，使我們有能力承受祂的應許。有時我們認為神沒有工作，只是因為我們還沒有看見結果。其實，神可能正在我們看不見的地方預備環境，也正在我們的生命中進行更深的工作。
因此，在還未看見結果的時候，不要停止跟隨神。祂仍然走在我們前面，也仍然在路上保護我們。走在神的帶領中，不代表我們一開始就能夠看見整條道路；而是即使只能看見面前的一步，仍然願意相信神，踏出順服的一步。
總結
出埃及記第23章讓我們看見，神不只是要把以色列人帶進應許之地，更要把他們建立成一個真正屬於耶和華的民族，使世人從他們的生命中看見神。
神應許在他們前面引導，在路上保護他們。但神不只是預備前面的道路，也在預備他們的生命，使他們成為能夠承受應許的人。
因此，要走在神的帶領中，我們需要：
- 在每天的選擇中，走神喜悅的路；
- 在順利的日子裏，仍然記念神；
- 在還未看見結果時，繼續跟隨神。
也許我們今天正處於人生的過渡階段：已經離開某些過去，卻還沒有完全看見神的應許實現。我們不知道前面的路還要走多久，也不知道環境何時才會改變。但是，我們可以確信：神已經走在我們前面。祂必帶領、必預備，也必保守。即使祂的工作是「漸漸地」成就，祂也從來沒有停止工作。
我們要做的，就是在今天的選擇中持守真理，在順利時記念恩典，在等待中繼續順服。即使我們看不見整條道路，仍然可以相信神，走好今天的一步。因為真正走在神帶領中的人，不是已經知道前面所有的答案，而是在每一步中，都願意聽從神的聲音、相信神的時間、跟隨神的腳步。
今日省察
- 我最近所作的選擇，是否走在神所喜悅的道路上？
- 我是否只在困難中尋求神，卻在順利時忘記感恩？
- 面對神「漸漸地」成就的工作，我是否仍然願意相信和跟隨祂？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢把我從過去的捆綁中拯救出來，也應許在前面的道路上帶領和保守我。
求祢幫助我，不只是渴望祢改變環境，也願意接受祢對我生命的塑造。求祢使我在每天的選擇中持守真理，以公義和憐憫對待身邊的人，讓人從我的生命中看見祢。
求祢保守我，不只在困難時尋求祢，也在平安和順利的日子裏記念祢的恩典。使我不依靠自己的能力，而是常常以感恩的心承認，一切都是從祢而來。
當我仍未看見結果，甚至不明白祢的時間時，求祢賜給我信心和忍耐。幫助我相信，祢的「漸漸地」不是耽延，而是祢正在預備環境，也在預備我的生命。
即使我看不見前面整條道路，求祢幫助我仍然走好今天的一步。我相信祢必走在前面，在路上保護我，並且按照祢最美好的時間，成就祢在我生命中的旨意。
奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Verse “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” —Exodus 23:20, NKJV
Introduction
Every one of us wants God’s guidance. When we face changes in our family, work, ministry, or personal life, we often ask: “Which way should I go? Is God still with me? Why has my situation not changed? When will God’s promises be fulfilled?”
In Exodus 23, the Israelites were going through an important transition. They had left Egypt, but they had not yet entered the Promised Land. Their life of slavery was behind them, but the road ahead was still uncertain.
God did not bring them into Canaan immediately. At Mount Sinai, He continued to teach them how to live as His people.
Leaving Egypt took only a period of time, but removing the thinking, values, and lifestyle of Egypt from their hearts required a continuing work of teaching and renewal.
Therefore, Exodus 23 is not simply a list of things the Israelites could or could not do. God wanted to place His character and the marks of His Kingdom into their daily lives. Through their words, actions, worship, and relationships, the nations would see that the Lord is just, compassionate, faithful, and caring.
Near the end of the chapter, God gave Israel a precious promise: “I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way.”
God promised to go before them and protect them on their journey. However, God did not only want to change the circumstances ahead of them. He also wanted to prepare their hearts so that they would be ready to receive His promises.
Sometimes, we only want God to solve our problems immediately and open the way ahead. But God is also concerned about the kind of people we are becoming during the journey.
God’s grace brings us onto this path. Our obedience does not earn His grace; it is our response of faith after receiving His grace.
When the way ahead is unclear and our circumstances have not yet changed, how can we continue walking in God’s guidance?
- Choose the Way That Pleases God Each Day
“You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil.” —Exodus 23:1–2, NKJV
God first taught the Israelites how to practise justice in their daily choices.
They were not to spread false reports or give dishonest testimony. They were also not to follow the crowd into wrongdoing simply because most people were doing it. God’s people must not be controlled by their surroundings or popular opinion. They must make their choices according to God’s truth.
God even instructed them to return an enemy’s ox or donkey if it had wandered away. If they saw the donkey of someone who hated them struggling under a heavy load, they were not to ignore it. They still had to help.
This shows us that God’s justice and compassion do not change according to our personal feelings. We cannot help someone only because we like that person and ignore another because we dislike them.
God also gave them this command: “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” —Exodus 23:9, NKJV
The Israelites had suffered oppression in Egypt. Now that God had delivered them, they must not become another group that oppressed others.
God wanted Israel to understand that a holy life is not only seen in worship, prayer, and religious gatherings. It is also seen in how we speak, how we treat others, and whether we continue to follow the truth when we face pressure or personal利益.
We often ask God to show us the direction for our future. But sometimes, the first thing God wants to deal with is the choice we are making today.
Walking in God’s guidance is not only about knowing where we will go in the future. It is also about choosing today to walk in the way that pleases Him. God is not only concerned about what we will eventually receive. He is also concerned about the person we are becoming along the way.
- Remember God Even in Times of Blessing
“Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year.” —Exodus 23:14, NKJV
God commanded the Israelites to observe the sabbatical year, the Sabbath day, and three annual feasts.
During the seventh year, the land was to rest, and the poor could eat what grew naturally from it. On the Sabbath day, the people, servants, foreigners, and animals were all given an opportunity to rest.
When the Israelites stopped working, they acknowledged that life did not depend only on their own strength and hard work. True rest means trusting that even when we stop, God remains in control. He is still the true Provider of our lives.
God also commanded them to observe three annual feasts:
- The Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded them that God had brought them out of Egypt.
- The Feast of Harvest taught them to thank God for the first produce of their harvest.
- The Feast of Ingathering reminded them to thank God again when the year’s harvest was completed.
These feasts continually reminded Israel that their freedom, life, land, and harvest did not come from their own strength. Everything came through God’s grace and provision.
God did not want them to seek Him only when they were in danger, in need, or had nowhere else to turn. He also wanted them to remember and thank Him during seasons of peace, abundance, and success.
Sometimes, our greatest danger is not losing faith during hardship, but forgetting God when life is going well. When life becomes stable, our work produces results, and our family receives blessings, we can easily believe that everything has come through our own ability.
When we make ourselves too important, we gradually lose sight of our need for God. But gratitude reminds us that our life, health, family, work, gifts, and opportunities all come from Him.
Walking in God’s guidance is not only calling upon Him during difficult times. It is also acknowledging Him as Lord during peaceful and successful times.
Those who truly trust God do not seek Him only when they need help. They remember Him, thank Him, and honour Him in every season of life.
- Keep Following God Before You See the Result
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” —Exodus 23:20, NKJV
God did not only give Israel commandments. He also gave them a promise filled with hope. God promised to send His Angel ahead of them, protect them on the journey, and lead them into His promise. Although the road ahead was unfamiliar, the Israelites were not travelling alone. God had already gone before them.
However, God also told them to listen carefully to His voice. They must not worship the gods of Canaan or allow anything else to take God’s place in their lives.
To be holy does not mean separating ourselves from everyone. It means belonging fully to God in every situation. No matter what choices the people around us make, we continue to honour God, listen to His voice, and follow His ways.
God then said to Israel: “Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.” —Exodus 23:30, NKJV
God did not drive out all their enemies in one year. If everything happened too quickly, the land could become empty and wild animals could multiply. God knew how much Israel could handle at that time. Therefore, He would fulfil His promise “little by little.”
We often want God to change our circumstances immediately, solve our problems immediately, and open the way immediately. When things do not happen as quickly as we expect, we may begin to wonder whether God is still leading us.
But God’s “little by little” does not mean that He has forgotten us. It also does not mean that His promise has failed. God knows how much we can handle now, and He knows the right time for everything.
God is not only preparing the road ahead; He is also preparing our hearts. He wants to increase our capacity, strengthen our faith, and remove our old ways of thinking so that we will be ready to receive His promises.
Sometimes, we think God is not working simply because we cannot yet see the result. However, God may be preparing our circumstances in ways we cannot see, while also doing a deeper work within us.
Therefore, do not stop following God while you are waiting for the result. He is still going before you, and He is still protecting you along the way.
Walking in God’s guidance does not mean that we can see the entire road from the beginning. It means that even when we can only see the next step, we still trust God and take that step in obedience.
Conclusion
Exodus 23 shows us that God did not only want to bring Israel into the Promised Land. He also wanted to establish them as a people who truly belonged to Him, so that the world could see God through their lives.
God promised to guide them from the front and protect them along the way. But He was not only preparing the road ahead. He was also preparing their hearts so that they would be ready to receive His promises.
Therefore, to walk in God’s guidance, we must:
- Choose the way that pleases God each day.
- Remember God even in times of blessing.
- Keep following God before we see the result.
Perhaps we are now going through a season of transition. We have left certain things behind, but we have not yet seen the complete fulfilment of God’s promises. We do not know how long the journey will take or when our circumstances will change.
But we can be certain of this: God has already gone before us.
He will guide, prepare, and protect us. Even when His work is happening “little by little,” He has never stopped working.
Our responsibility is to hold on to the truth in today’s choices, remember God’s grace during good times, and continue obeying Him while we wait. Even when we cannot see the whole road, we can trust God and faithfully take the next step.
A person who walks in God’s guidance does not need to know every answer about the future. They simply choose, at every step, to listen to God’s voice, trust His timing, and follow His leading.
Reflection
- Do my recent choices reflect the way that pleases God?
- Do I seek God only in difficult times but forget to thank Him when life is going well?
- While God is working “little by little,” am I still willing to trust and follow Him?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering me from the bondage of my past. Thank You for promising to guide and protect me on the road ahead.
Help me not only to desire a change in my circumstances, but also to receive the work You want to do in my heart. Help me to hold firmly to the truth in my daily choices and to treat others with justice and compassion, so that people may see You through my life.
Keep me from seeking You only during difficult times. Help me to remember Your grace during peaceful and successful seasons. Teach me not to depend on my own ability, but to acknowledge with gratitude that everything I have comes from You.
When I cannot yet see the result or understand Your timing, please give me faith and patience. Help me to believe that Your “little by little” is not a delay. You are preparing my circumstances, and You are also preparing my heart.
Even when I cannot see the whole road ahead, help me to take today’s step faithfully. I believe that You will go before me, protect me along the way, and fulfil Your purpose for my life in Your perfect time.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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