勿驕勿縱（賽卅九）中英bilingual

以賽亞對希西家說：你要聽萬軍之耶和華的話。（賽 39：5） 

本章記載猶大王希西家病得醫治後，巴比倫王派使者前來探望他。希西家因為高興，就把王宮裡所有的金銀、香料、武庫，以及國中的財寶毫無保留地展示給使者看。神不喜悅希西家的行為，因此藉著先知以賽亞指出他的問題，並預言將來這些財寶和後代都要被擄到巴比倫。 

驕傲在敗壞以先；狂心在跌倒之前。（箴 16：18） 

希西家原本是一位敬畏神的人，他曾在國家危難時倚靠神，也曾在病重時向神迫切禱告。當以賽亞告訴他病情嚴重時，他轉臉朝牆痛哭，向神祈求憐憫。後來神不但醫治他的疾病，更加添他十五年的壽命。希西家也作詩感謝神的大能。在經歷神這麼大的恩典後，本來應該更謙卑、更加倚靠神，但面對巴比倫使者時，卻因內心的驕傲，轉眼把一切財寶都打開給人看。 

你因為信，所以立得住；你不可自高，反要懼怕。（羅 11：20b） 

人在困難中常常比較容易依靠神。因為當自己軟弱、無能為力時，更容易知道人的有限，也更願意尋求神的幫助；但在成功、被稱讚、被肯定之後，反而容易把焦點從神轉移到自己身上。很多時候，人最大的危機不是跌倒，而是自以為站立得穩。 

在學測前，因為其中一次模擬考即使已經認真準備，成績卻仍然不理想。那時候，我能想到的就只有禱告，向神祈求幫助。經過好幾週的禱告後，終於在下一次模擬考中得到前所未有的好成績。剛開始，我很感謝神，也知道這一切都有神的帶領；但後來卻漸漸開始忘記神，把成果都歸於自己的努力，忘記背後其實有神的保守、恩典，也忘了當初自己是多麼迫切地向神祈求。之後幾次考試也頻頻失利。現在回想起來，也許是自己太自滿了，把眼光放在自己的能力和成果上，忘記原來一切都不是靠自己得來的。這段經歷讓我發現，信仰上的危機不一定發生在低谷，有時反而出現在順利的時候。因為人在順境中容易放鬆，也容易忘記一切恩典的來源。 

所以自己以為站得穩的，須要謹慎，免得跌倒。（林前 10：12） 

不論在順境或逆境，都需要時時省察自己的內心，不要讓驕傲取代了對神的依靠。願我能常常存著謙卑和感恩的心，把榮耀歸給神。

By 陳天媺

真耶穌教會石牌教會、天母教會線上講道

石牌教會https://www.youtube.com/@TJChurchShipai

天母教會https://www.youtube.com/c/TJC_Tianmu/featured

Do Not Be Proud, Do Not Be Indulgent (Isaiah 39)

May 31, 2026

"Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the LORD of armies.'"

(Isaiah 39:5, NASB2020)

This chapter records that after King Hezekiah of Judah was healed from his illness, the king of Babylon sent envoys to visit him. Out of joy, Hezekiah showed them all the treasures of his palace—gold, silver, spices, weapons, and the wealth of the nation—without reservation. God was not pleased with Hezekiah’s actions, so He spoke through the prophet Isaiah to point out his fault and prophesied that these treasures, along with his descendants, would one day be taken away to Babylon.

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling."

(Proverbs 16:18, NASB2020)

Hezekiah was originally a man who feared God. In times of national crisis, he relied on the Lord; when gravely ill, he prayed earnestly to God. When Isaiah told him of his severe condition, he turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly, pleading for mercy. God not only healed him but also added fifteen years to his life. Hezekiah even composed a psalm to thank God’s mighty power. After experiencing such great grace, he should have become more humble and dependent on God. Yet when faced with the envoys of Babylon, pride arose in his heart, and he revealed all his treasures to them.

"but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear."

(Romans 11:20b, NASB2020)

In times of difficulty, people often find it easier to rely on God. When weak and powerless, one more readily recognizes human limitation and seeks God’s help. But after success, praise, and affirmation, it is easy to shift focus from God to oneself. Often, the greatest danger is not in falling, but in thinking one stands firm.

Before the college entrance exam, I once faced a mock test where, despite diligent preparation, my score was disappointing. At that time, all I could do was pray, asking God for help. After weeks of prayer, I finally achieved an unprecedentedly good result in the next mock exam. At first, I sincerely thanked God, knowing it was His guidance. But gradually, I began to forget Him, attributing the success to my own effort, forgetting that it was God’s grace and protection, and forgetting how earnestly I had prayed before. In the following exams, my performance declined. Looking back, perhaps I had become too self-satisfied, focusing on my own ability and achievements, forgetting that none of it was gained by myself alone. This experience taught me that spiritual crisis does not only occur in valleys of hardship, but sometimes in times of smooth success. In prosperity, one easily relaxes and forgets the true source of all blessings.

"Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall."

(1 Corinthians 10:12, NASB2020)

Whether in prosperity or adversity, we must constantly examine our hearts, lest pride replace dependence on God. May I always keep a humble and grateful spirit, giving glory to the Lord.

By Chen Tianmei