Friday, 17 July 2020
Reach out to His hands
Prathab V

Psalm 37:23-26

23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
    He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall,
    for the Lord holds them by the hand.
25 Once I was young, and now I am old.
    Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
    or their children begging for bread.
26 The godly always give generous loans to others,
    and their children are a blessing.

As my daughter and I walked down the road to the school, I held her hand by my side. She was about 8 years old then. Suddenly, a car turned the corner and sped towards our direction, with its engines roaring.

I could sense that my daughter was tense. But I held her hand firmly and said, “Jane, trust me. I’m your father. Whatever happens, don’t let go of my hand!”

The car continued to speed, coming closer and closer. Suddenly, my daughter panicked and did the unthinkable–she let go of my hand and ran to the other side of the road! I watched helplessly in horror as the car sped down the road. I could see my darling girl running across the street, thinking she will be safer there. That day, my heart skipped several beats and I froze!

There was no time to pray. I could only shout to warn my girl. At that moment, God, in His eternal love and mercy, stepped in. The car suddenly braked and turned into the basement car park, just as my daughter reached the other side of the road! Praise the Lord! What a relief that was! I was still in shock. I crossed the street, bent down and hugged my daughter tightly.

Holding her in my arms, I could sense how frantic the little girl was. With her big eyes and tiny hands, she stood terrified at the event. Calming her down, I asked her inquisitively, “Jane, why did you let go of my hand?” Slowly, my stunned daughter said, “I was afraid of the car…”

I then replied, as tears welled up inside, “Jane, know that as long as you are holding my hand, you are safe. The moment you let go, I can no longer protect you…”

That day, I gave thanks to my God that my daughter was safe. I am certain it was God who delivered her from great harm. Even today, I shudder to even think what could have happened, if not for God.

As I ponder this event in my life, Ps. 37:23-26 encourages me. As the Lord directs my life (v23), the Scripture says, God also holds my hand to make sure that I do not fall. I might stumble, but the Lord promises to uphold me with His hand (v24).

Moreover, the Lord will provide for all the needs of those who diligently follow Him.

This week, I was greatly distressed and downcast because of various political developments in our beautiful country.

Feeling burdened, I called up a friend to seek wisdom. We spoke for some time and prayed. I believe that in times of great testing and trouble, we must trust Him. When you are discouraged, reach out to His hands. When you are feeling the weight of the world upon you, reach out to His hands. If you have been accused unfairly, reach out to His hands. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to His hands. His hands bear the scars of Calvary because Jesus cares for you. You matter to Him. As long as you hold His hands, you will be safe.

This morning, I pray that you will lean wholly on Jesus. Tell Him your troubles and fears. Only Jesus can make a difference. He hears your prayers and cares for you.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to trust and walk in obedience to You. When the storms trouble me, when I am uncertain about the future, I pray that I will not let go of Your hand. Guide me into Your path everlasting, Lord. Let me not stray from the narrow path. Hold me in Your hands always, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I ask. Amen.

每日灵粮
星期五, 2020年7月17日
标题：寻求上帝的手
作者：帕拉他伯(Prathab V.)
翻译：巫惠如姐妹

诗篇37 ： 23-26

义人的脚步被耶和华立定，他的道路耶和华也喜爱。
他虽失脚，也不至全身仆倒，因为耶和华用手搀扶他。
我从前年幼，现在年老，却未见过义人被弃，也未见过他的后裔讨饭。 
他终日恩待人，借给人，他的后裔也蒙福。

当我和女儿走向学校，我握紧她的手。那时她大概八岁。突然，一辆汽车急转弯，朝我们的方向飞驰。

我感受到女儿很紧张。但我紧紧握着她的手说，「Jane，相信我。我是你父亲。不管发生什么事，别放开我的手！」

汽车极速上升，离我们越来越近。忽然，女儿惊慌失措，做了一件不可思议的事。她放开我的手，直奔到马路的另一边！当汽车在路上疾驰，我在惊恐中无助地看着。我目睹亲爱的女儿自以为跑过街会更安全。那天，我的心漏跳几拍，简直吓呆了！

根本没时间祷告。我只能大声喊叫，警告我的女儿。那一刻，上帝以他永恒的爱和怜悯给予帮助。正当我女儿到达马路的对面，车子突然刹车，进入地下停车场！赞美主！总算松了一口气！我还是很震惊。我弯下身，紧紧抱住我女儿。

抱着她，我能感觉到女儿情绪失控。大大的双眼，小小的双手，她惊慌地站着。当我安抚她时，我好奇地问，「Jane，你为什么松开我的手？」惊呆的女儿慢慢地回答，「我怕那辆车…」

百感交集，我回答，「Jane，你知道，只要你握着我的手，你就是安全的。你一放手，我就无法保护你… 」

我感谢上帝我女儿能平安无事。我深信是上帝拯救她脱离危险。如果不是上帝的帮助，我至今还是不敢想象事情会如何发展。

当我回想这事时，诗篇37:23-26鼓励我。圣经上说，当主引导我的生活(23节)，他也握住我的手，确保我不会扑倒。我可能会失脚，但上帝保证用他的手(24节)搀扶我。

此外，主将满足那些努力追随他的人的所有需求。

这周，由于我们这美丽国家的各种政治状况，我感到忧虑和沮丧。深感重负，我给一位朋友打了一通电话。我们聊了一会并一同祈祷。我相信，在面临巨大考验和困难时，我们必须相信他。当你气馁时，寻求上帝的手。当你挑着肩头重担，寻求上帝的手。如果你受到不公平的指控，寻求上帝的手。如果你感到孤独，寻求上帝的手。他的手上有各各他所留下的伤疤，因为耶稣关心你。他视你为宝贵。只要你握住他的手，你就会安全。

今天早上，我祈祷你会完全依靠耶稣。告诉他你的问题和恐惧。只有耶稣才能改变。他聆听你的祈祷并关心你。

祈祷：
主啊，教我信靠你，顺服你。当暴风雨困扰我，当我不确定未来的时候，我祈求不会松开你的手。主啊，指引我走你永生的道路。我不要偏离走窄路。求主时刻握紧我。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿门。