Friday, 5 June 2020

Psalm 91: 14-16

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honour him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

In university, a senior once told me that he’s found the ultimate answer to understanding women. “Do you know what women want in a relationship?” he asked me. “Of course, I don’t know!” I confessed sheepishly. Then with a smile of wisdom, he proudly proclaimed: “A woman will seek assurance. She wants assurance that you will love her only, and no one else. That you will defend and protect her. That you will not abandon her.”

I was then in my early 20s, and I had no clue what he was talking about! But now, after being married for 22 years, I am beginning to understand the truth in his words. I believe, deep down, the desire for assurance is something that is innate in both men and women. We seek assurance of love, safety and provision. With that, we find great encouragement in life.   

Some of us may be facing a tough time. Life may seem harsh, and you may be seeking some encouragement.

In such times, I turn to Psalm 91. The entire poem is truly comforting and gives assurance of deliverance. It tells of how we can be delivered from the snare of the fowler, how to evade deadly pestilence and to be delivered from the terror of the night.

But God encourages us. According to the El Shaddai (v1: God Almighty), those who abide in Him, and take shelter in His shadow will receive protection. The Psalmist used the word “shadow” to tells us that God will provide us with rest and protection from the harsh sun. Those who put their trust in God (v2), will receive great blessings.

Verses 14-16 is worth meditating. Those who hold fast to God, will be delivered. Those who know the name of the living God, will be protected (v14). Moreover, you will find great comfort in knowing that God promises to answer your prayers and rescue you. More than that, God also promises “I will be with him in trouble” (v15b). Isn’t that fantastic? God promises to be WITH US when we are troubled and facing various challenges!

The fact that Emmanuel, which means “God with us”, also tells us that God will never abandon us. Indeed, God is with us. If God is with us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31).

Perhaps this is why the Psalm also ends with Jesus. The Psalmist writes “…and show him my salvation” (v16b). The word “my salvation” is translated in the Orthodox Jewish Bible as “My Yeshuah”. This is the name of Jesus, which is an anglicised translation of “Yeshua”, meaning “salvation”. Taking some liberty in scriptural interpretation here, I believe we can be comforted in knowing that Jesus will encourage and comfort us when we cry out to Him.

I believe that God, the Ancient One, Our great Saviour, is here with you now as you read these words. He’s there in the mountains, and He’s there in the valleys. He will not let you go. So be encouraged today. Jesus is with you now, listening to your prayers. And what an assurance that is, in troubling times such as these.

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank You that You are with me always, even in times of calamity. I thank You that You have promised to deliver me from troubles and challenges. Teach me to dwell and abide in You. Teach me Lord, not to waver in faith but to trust You in the darkest of days. Deliver me and let me feel your assurance that You will be with me always. In Jesus name alone I ask. Amen.

By Prathab V

每日灵粮
05/06/20
作者：帕拉他伯(Prathab V.)
诗篇 91：14 – 16 节

91:14 神说、因为他专心爱我、我就要搭救他．因为他知道我的名、我要把他安置在高处。
91:15 他若求告我、我就应允他．他在急难中、我要与他同在．我要搭救他、使他尊贵。
91:16 我要使他足享长寿、将我的救恩显明给他。

在大学里，一位大四的学生曾经告诉我，他找到了要理解女性的最终答案。 “你知道女生在恋爱中最想要什么吗？”他问我。 “我当然不知道！”我回答。然后他带着微笑自豪地宣称：“一个女人会寻求保障。她希望你保证你只会爱她，而不会爱别人。你会捍卫和保护她。你永不会抛弃她。”

那时我才20多岁，我不知道他到底在说什么！但是现在，在结婚22年之后，我才开始理解他当时所说的。我相信其实从内心深处，对拥有保障的渴望是男人和女人所想要的。我们寻求对爱，安全感和供应的保障。有了这些保障我们才在生活中得到鼓励。

我们当中有些人可能正在面临着艰难的时期。生活似乎很艰难，你可能正在寻找一些鼓励。在这种情况下，我会翻开诗篇91篇。整首诗确实令人感到安慰，并且能在其中得到保障。诗篇91篇讲述了我们如何从捕鸟笼中逃避出来，如何逃避脱离致命的瘟疫，如何从黑夜的惊骇中解脱出来。

上帝鼓励我们。根据《 El Shaddai》的说法，那些住在他里面并在他荫下庇护的人将得到保护。诗人使用了“荫下”一词告诉我们，上帝将为我们提供安息和保护，免受烈日的侵袭 （1节）。那些依靠上帝的人将会得到极大的祝福（2节）。

14-16节值得我们沉思。那些专心爱祂的人将被搭救。那些知道永生上帝之名的人将受到保护（14节）。此外，上帝应许回答我们的祷告并拯救我们，这真是极大的安慰。不仅如此，上帝还应许“他在急难中、我要与他同在”（15节）。那不是很棒吗？当我们遇到困难并面临各种挑战时，上帝应许与我们同在！

以马内利（Emmanuel）的意思是“神与我们同在”，这也告诉我们上帝永远不会丢下我们不管。确实，上帝与我们同在。神若帮助我们、谁能敌挡我们呢（罗8:31节）

也许这就是为什么这段诗篇也以耶稣为结尾。诗人写道：“将我的救恩显明给他”（16节）。 “我的救恩”一词在东正教犹太圣经中被翻译为“我的耶稣”。这是耶稣的名字，是“ Yeshua”的英语翻译，意思是“救赎”。我相信这是很大的安慰，因为我们知道当我们向耶稣哭泣时祂会鼓励和安慰我们。

我相信当您阅读这些话时，上帝，我们的伟大救主，就在这时刻与我们同在。祂在山上，在山谷里。祂不会抛开我们。所以今天我们应当被鼓励。耶稣现在与我们同在，听着我们的祷告。在现在这样艰难的时刻，这是极大的保障。

祷告：
全能的上帝，我要感谢祢，即使在灾难的时期，祢也始终与我同在。我感谢祢因祢应允搭救我脱离困境和挑战。教我常住在祢里面。教导我信心不要动摇，而要在最黑暗的日子里信靠祢。拯救我，让我感到祢的保障，即祢将永远与我同在。我们奉主耶稣的名祷告，阿们。

胡斐译