耶和華說：雖然如此，你們應當禁食、哭泣、悲哀，一心歸向我。（珥2:12）
最近留意到有關北美火災的新聞，加拿大某些城市受火災影響而煙霧彌漫，名列世界城市空氣污染紀錄最高之一。看小先知書時我覺得感觸，約珥書論到以色列民迷失在罪裡，神以蝗災作為警號，呼籲他們悔改，急切回轉不要再遲疑。同是天然災害，我不其然把現今世代的景況連結。我們需要悔改回轉，從心底發出的心腸撕裂，以至禁食、哭泣和哀號。悔改需蔓延至一整個群體，不論老幼，貧窮富有，權位高低。甚願人能意會到我們面臨的危機，不只是天災人禍，更是肉眼看不到的靈性危機、永遠的淪亡，並且得智慧分辨何謂惡，繼而真誠地流淚悔改，轉離惡行。
讀約拿書了解到十惡不赦的人 （尼尼微人只剩下40天限期便會全城被滅，可想而知他們罪惡滿溋的程度）神也會施與悔改的機會。約拿認為惡人不可容，與自己的國家是仇敵；神不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。(彼後 3:9) 我欣賞尼尼微人的謙卑，人畜皆禁食摒棄強暴，積極地悔改到極致。但試問歷史至今如此悔改的群體有幾多、維持多久呢？
百多年後尼尼微人因他們的惡行預言被滅，名字不再傳於後世。（拿鴻書一章12，14節）可見神的確有憐憫和公義。此外，悔改並非一勞永逸，悔改後需持續自潔，警醒脫離惡事。所以悔改認罪是進行式，不只用於非基督徒，也用於基督徒，且與信仰年日長短無關。剛從巴比倫回歸的以色列民尚且是敬畏神的群體，縱使如此，神數次透過哈該先知命他們「你們要反省自己的行為。」（哈該書1章5，7節、2章15，18節）我們既是屬神的，神必教導我們學好，他看重的是知錯能改、受教的心。
如此，我們當「趁著還有今日，天天彼此相勸，免得（我）們中間有人被罪迷惑，心裡就剛硬了」，以及「將起初確實的信心堅持到底，就在基督裡有分了。」（來3：13-14）而且我們當「戰戰兢兢，恐怕我們中間有人像是被淘汰了。」（來4:1）讓我們時常警醒謹慎，預備好主再來！
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)
Wildfire has been running rampant in North America. Some parts of Canada are filled with smog, making them top cities with worst air quality in the world.
The plague of locust came upon Judah because of their sin (Joel 2). It is a warning sign from the Lord to repent without delay for people of all ages and all levels of society. Likewise, in facing this natural disaster, we as a country shall repent corporately and sincerely before the Lord. I pray we would acknowledge the urgent danger we are facing, not only with what we see but also what we do not see in our spiritual crisis and decline. God values the sacrifice of "a broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17) Fasting, weeping and mourning are a proper reflection of our true repentance.
Even the worst group of people were offered a chance to repent in the book of Jonah. Their sins were overflowing considering they were only 40 days away from the announced destruction. Jonah disapproved of God’s mercy for his enemy. However, God does not want anyone to perish but everyone comes to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9b) As long as we live, we are not yet a lost cause but God is still willing to forgive.
Over a 100 years later, Nineveh sadly resumed their wicked ways, and they suffered God's righteous judgment of a complete destruction (Book of Nahum). This rings a bell that repentance is not just for nonbelievers but also for Christians alike. It is not a one time thing, but requires us to follow through, be vigilant and actively cleanse ourselves from what is dishonourable.
Note that, Zerubbabel, the high priest Joshua and the remnant were a people who fear the Lord, and still God asked them repeatedly to "give careful thought to your ways" (Haggai 1:5,7, 2:15, 18) of what they have sinned against God. As our Father, God rebukes and corrects us hoping we would change for the better. He favors those who are teachable and obedient.
All in all, God calls us all to listen and obey. As long as we still have "today", we shall harden our hearts no more, turn away from our sins, and with lasting faith entrust our lives to Him (Hebrews 3-4). As we are so easily wavered, let us encourage one another to press on, and receive mercy before God’s throne of grace.
Comments