2026-03-01 Devotion: slowing down with God 灵修：慢下来与神相交

1. What is devotion? 什么是灵修？

When we talk about “doing devotions”, many people think of reading a passage and then moving on with the day. But in the Bible, devotion is much deeper than that. 当我们谈到“灵修”时，许多人会想到那就是读一段经文，然后继续一天的生活。但在圣经中，灵修远不止于此。

Devotion = drawing near to God through His Word and presence. 灵修 = 借着神的话语与同在亲近神。

Key Scriptures 关键经文：

·        Psalm 119:97 “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”
诗篇119:97「我何等爱慕你的律法，终日不住地思想。」

·        John 15:4–5“Abide in me, and I in you.”
约翰福音15:4–5「你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。」

·        Luke 10:39 Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His word.
路加福音10:39 马利亚坐在主脚前听祂的话。

·        Psalm 1:2 Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on it day and night.
诗篇1:2「惟喜爱耶和华的律法，昼夜思想，这人便为有福。」

·        2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped.
提摩太后书3:16–17「圣经都是神所默示的……叫属神的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事。」

Teaching idea: Devotion is not just reading. It is abiding, listening, and meditating.
教导重点：灵修不仅是阅读，而是住在主里、聆听并默想。

Devotion means giving God our attention, our time, and our heart. It is not mainly about learning information. It is about relationship and alignment.  灵修意味着把我们的注意力、时间和心交给神。它不主要是获取信息，而是建立关系、调整对齐。

Devotion is simply this: Slowing down to be with God through His Word, allowing His Word to shape our hearts, and responding to Him with honesty, repentance, and trust. 灵修其实很简单：放慢脚步，借着神的话与神同在，让祂的话塑造我们的心，并以诚实、悔改和信靠来回应祂。

So devotion is not a task to complete. It is a relationship to enter. Just like in any relationship, if we only rush in and rush out, the relationship stays shallow. But when we slow down and listen, trust grows. That is what devotion does: it helps us stay connected to God. 因此，灵修不是一项需要完成的任务，而是一段需要进入的关系。就像任何关系一样，如果只是匆匆来去，关系会停留在表面；当我们慢下来倾听，信任就会增长。灵修正是帮助我们与神保持连结。

2. Why should we practise devotion? 为什么要操练灵修？

A, Because we need God’s presence daily. 因为我们每天都需要神的同在。
Jesus said in John 15: “Abide in me.” 耶稣在约翰福音15章说：「你们要常在我里面。」Jesus said: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) 耶稣也说：「人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。」（马太福音4:4）We cannot live spiritually on yesterday’s encounter. We need daily nourishment. 我们不能靠昨天的经历维持属灵生命，我们需要每天的属灵滋养。God’s Word refreshes the soul: “The law of the Lord refreshes the soul.” (Psalm 19:7) 神的话使人心苏醒：「耶和华的律法全备，能苏醒人心。」（诗篇19:7）

We need daily connection, daily alignment. Life is busy. Ministry is busy. But our souls still need rest. Devotion is where: 我们需要与神每日连结与对齐。生活忙碌，事奉忙碌，但我们的灵魂仍需要安息。灵修是一个地方：

• our hearts slow down让心慢下来
• our minds are renewed让思想更新
• our fears settle让惧怕平静
• God speaks again让神再次说话

Without devotion, we may continue serving God but slowly lose peace inside. 若没有灵修，我们可能仍在服事神，却渐渐失去内心的平安。

B, Because God speaks through His Word. 因神借着祂的话说话。

The Bible is not only a book of teaching. It is God’s living Word. When we read slowly and prayerfully, the Holy Spirit uses Scripture to: 圣经不仅是教导之书，更是神活泼的话。当我们慢慢、带着祷告来读，圣灵会借着经文：

• comfort us安慰我们
• correct us纠正我们
• guide us引导我们
• strengthen us坚固我们

Devotion creates space for God to speak into our real lives. God doesn’t only want us to know about Him, He wants us to know Him. “Let the one who boasts boast in this: that they understand and know me.” (Jeremiah 9:24). Jesus said eternal life is knowing God (John 17:3). 灵修为神在我们真实生活中说话创造空间。神不仅要我们知道关于祂的事，祂要我们认识祂。「夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华。」（耶利米书9:24）耶稣说，永生就是认识神（约17:3）。

Devotion builds that relationship. Devotion is one of the ways God restores our souls. It brings us back from striving into rest. It slows us down enough to hear His voice again. Devotion is where the Holy Spirit brings Scripture from our head into our heart. 灵修是建立这样的关系。灵修也是神恢复我们灵魂的方式之一，使我们从忙碌挣扎中回到安息，让我们再次听见祂的声音。灵修让圣灵把经文从头脑带进心里。

C, Because we need guidance. 因为我们需要引导。
Life is busy and complex. We need God’s direction. 生活复杂忙碌，我们需要神的方向。“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) 「你的话是我脚前的灯，是我路上的光。」（诗篇119:105）“Meditate on it day and night… then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) 「总要昼夜思想，……如此，你的道路就可以亨通，凡事顺利。」（约书亚记1:8） If we rush through life without pausing before Him, we can easily: 若我们在生活中不停下脚步来到神面前，很容易：

• act from anxiety因焦虑而行动
• react from hurt因受伤而反应
• lead from our own strength用自己的力量带领

When we slow down before God, He brings clarity. It helps us ask: Lord, what are You saying today? How do You want me to walk today? 当我们在神面前慢下来，祂带来清晰。帮助我们问：主啊，你今天在说什么？你要我今天怎样行？

D, Because devotion brings peace and alignment. 因为灵修带来平安与对齐。

When our minds stay on God, peace grows. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast.” (Isaiah 26:3) Devotion realigns us when life pulls us in many directions. 当我们的心思专注于神，平安就增长。「坚心倚赖你的，你必保守他十分平安。」（以赛亚书26:3）灵修使我们在生活拉扯中重新对齐。

3. What is devotion meant to produce in us? 灵修要在我们里面结出什么？

 It’s not: 灵修不是为了：

• to finish a chapter完成一章
• to gain knowledge增加知识
• to tick a box打勾任务

The goal is: to know God and walk with Him. In the Bible, hearing always leads to response. We listen, and then we trust and obey. So devotion leads to: 目标是：认识神，并与祂同行。在圣经中，听见总会带来回应。我们聆听，然后信靠并顺服。因此灵修带来：

• deeper trust更深的信任
• changed hearts心被改变
• wiser choices更智慧的选择
• stronger faith更坚固的信心

It shapes how we live. It brings:  它塑造我们的生命，带来：

A, Transformation in mind. 心思的更新。God’s Word changes us: 神的话更新改变我们：“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) 「只要心意更新而变化。」（罗马书12:2）“We are being transformed into His image.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)「我们……就变成主的形状……」（哥林多后书3:18）

B. Fruitfulness. 结果子。A life rooted in God produces fruit: 扎根于神的生命会结果子：“If you remain in me and my words remain in you… you will bear much fruit.” (John 15:7–8) 「你们若常在我里面……多结果子。」（约15:7–8）“Like a tree planted by streams of water.” (Psalm 1:3)「像一棵树栽在溪水旁。」（诗1:3）

C. Strength and stability. 力量与稳固。“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16) 「当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理丰丰富富地存在心里。」（歌罗西书3:16）God’s Word strengthens us inside. 神的话在里面坚固我们。

D. Intimacy with God. 与神的亲密关系。Devotion draws us closer to Him: 灵修使我们更靠近祂：“One thing I ask… to dwell in the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 27:4) 「有一件事，我曾求耶和华，就是一生一世住在耶和华的殿中。」（诗27:4）“We will come and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)「我们要到他那里去，与他同住。」（约14:23）

4. How did ancient Jewish people practise devotion? 古代犹太人如何操练灵修？

To understand biblical devotion, it’s important to remember this: Jesus, the Psalms, and the early disciples all came out of Jewish devotional practice. 要理解圣经中的灵修，需记得耶稣、诗篇作者、初代门徒，都出自犹太人的灵修传统。
So when we practise devotion today, we are stepping into a very ancient pathway. Ancient Jewish devotion was slow, embodied, relational, and obedient. It was not rushed, silent, or purely private like much modern reading. Here are the key ways they practised devotion. 当我们今天操练灵修，其实是在进入一条古老的道路。古代犹太人的灵修是缓慢的、有身体参与的、关系性的、并且顺服的。它不赶时间、不是无声的，也不像现代的私人享受式的阅读。下面是她们操练灵修的重要方式。

A, They structured life around Scripture以经文为生活中心

Scripture was not fitted into spare time — it framed daily life. Morning and evening, recited the Shema (Deut 6:4–9) God instructed Israel: 经文不是填补空余时间，而是构成每日生活。早晚诵读示玛（申命记6:4-9）: “These commandments… are to be on your hearts. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)「这些话要记在心上……无论坐在家里，行在路上，躺下起来，都要谈论。」（申命记6:6-7）

This meant: Morning and evening Scripture and prayer, God’s Word marking the beginning and end of the day. Scripture shaping everyday conversation

B. Meditation as murmuring (Hebrew: hagah). 默想 = 低声诵读（hagah）

Meditation in ancient Judaism did not mean silent thinking. The Hebrew word often translated meditate means: to murmur, to mutter, to repeat quietly. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night.” (Joshua 1:8) 古代犹太人的默想不是静思，希伯来文翻译过来的默想，意思是：念念有词，轻声重复。“这律法书不可离开你的口，总要昼夜思想。”（书1:8）

People would: Take one verse or phrase, repeat it slowly, whisper it under their breath, carry it with them through the day. It meant muttering, whispering, repeating. They would: 选取一节经文或一句话，慢慢地重复，轻声在口中低语，把这句话带在身边，一整天反复思想。这个词本身就包含低声默念、反复咀嚼、不断重复的意思。他们这样做：

• Read a passage aloud朗读经文
• Repeat it slowly慢慢重复
• Emphasise words强调字词
• Turn it into prayer变成祷告

Example pattern: Read → repeat → pray → personalise → repeat again. It was like chewing food slowly so it could nourish the body. 以这种模式为例：读 → 重复 → 祷告 → 个人化 → 再重复。就像慢慢咀嚼食物，滋润身体。

C, They memorised Scripture deeply. 深度背诵经文

God told Israel: 神对以色列人说：“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds.” (Deuteronomy 11:18). “你们要将我这话存在心内，留在意中，系在手上为记号，戴在额上为经文；”（申11:18）Scripture was: Memorised from childhood, spoken in daily life, carried in the heart. This is why the Psalms say: 圣经是：从孩童时代就开始背诵，在日常生活中口里常常说出，存记在心中。因此诗篇说：“I have hidden your word in my heart.” (Psalm 119:11). 我将你的话藏在心里，免得我得罪你。”（诗篇119:11）The goal was not information, but internalisation. 目标不是增加知识，而是让神的话内化在生命里。

D, They prayed the Scriptures. 用经文祷告

Prayer and Scripture were never separated. The Psalms were Israel’s prayer book. 读经、祷告不是分离的，诗篇是祷告书。“Evening, morning and noon I cry out.” (Psalm 55:17) They would:我要晚上、早晨、晌午哀声悲叹，他也必听我的声音。（诗55:17）

·       Read a psalm, 读一篇诗篇

·       Turn it into prayer 把经文转变为祷告

·       Speak it back to God 把这段话向神宣告，回应神

For example: “The Lord is my shepherd” → “Lord, shepherd me today.” This shaped their emotions, fears, hopes, and trust. 例如：“耶和华是我的牧者” → “主啊，今天作我的牧者。”这样祷告，塑造他们的情绪、惧怕、盼望和信靠。

E, They practised devotion in community. 在群体中灵修

Devotion was not only private. Scripture was: Read in families, taught in synagogues, discussed openly, passed from generation to generation. 灵修从来不只是个人、私下的事。圣经是在家庭中诵读，在会堂中教导，公开讨论，代代相传。“They devoted themselves to the apostles”teaching.” (Acts 2:42) “都恒心遵守使徒的教训，彼此交接，擘饼，祈祷。”（使徒行传2:42）

Listening together helped: Form shared faith, correct misunderstanding, build unity, faith was shaped together, not alone. 一起聆听神的话，帮助我们建立共同的信仰，纠正误解，建造合一。信心是在群体中被塑造的，不是孤立形成的。

F, They listened for obedience. 听并顺服

This is the most important part. In Jewish devotion, the key question was not: “What did I learn?” But: “How should I live?” 这是最重要的部分。在犹太人的灵修传统中，关键的问题不是：“我学到了什么？”而是：“我该怎样活出来？”

“Do not merely listen to the word… do what it says.” (James 1:22) “只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。”（雅各书1:22）

Devotion always led to: repentance, trust, obedience, changed behaviour, Even small steps mattered. 灵修总是带来悔改、信靠、顺服和行为的改变，即使是小小的步骤，也同样重要。

5. How can we practise devotion today? 今天我们如何操练灵修？

We don’t need complicated methods. A simple, slow approach works best. Here is an easy pattern you can use personally or in a group. 不需要复杂方法，简单而缓慢即可。以下步骤可用于个人或小组灵修。

步骤：

Step 1 –        Read slowly. Choose a short passage. Read it aloud. Read it again slowly.
慢慢读：选一小段，慢速将经文朗读两次。

Step 2 –        Notice a phrase. Ask: What word or phrase stands out? Stay with that phrase.
留意一句话：哪个词或哪句话触动你？就停留在那句话上。

Step 3 –        Repeat it quietly. Whisper it. Let it settle into your heart. This helps Scripture move from head to heart.
轻声重复：轻声读出来，让这句话沉淀在你心里，使神的话从头脑进入心灵。

Step 4 –        Talk to God about it. Turn it into prayer: “Lord, what are You speaking to me here?” “What does this reveal about You?” “Help me trust You in this area.”
与神对话：变成祷告：“主啊，你在对我说什么？”“这节经文显示你何种属性？”“在这件事上，帮助我更多信靠你。”

Step 5 –        Respond. Ask: “What small step of trust or obedience is God inviting me to today?”
回应：问自己：“今天神邀请我迈出哪一个小小的信靠或顺服的步骤？”

Summary总结:

Devotion becomes real when it begins to shape how we live. It is making space to meet with God through His Word, allowing His Word to form our hearts and His peace to settle within us. 当灵修开始塑造我们的生命时，它就变得真实。灵修就是腾出空间，借着神的话遇见神，让祂的话塑造我们的心，让祂的平安在我们里面。As we respond in trust and obedience, He gives direction, and our faith grows stronger day by day. Devotion is not about how long you spend. It is about how open your heart is. Even a few slow minutes with God can change the day. 当我们以信靠和顺服回应，祂就赐下方向，信心也一天比一天增长。灵修不在乎时间长短，而在乎心是否敞开。即使只是几分钟，慢慢与神同在，也能改变一天。