The Hand of God 上帝之手

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Dexu Xia

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Dec 31, 2024, 12:10:17 AM12/31/24

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My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens. Isaiah 48:13 .Isaiah 48:12-19

Isaiah warned that God would discipline the Israelites for their idolatrous unfaithfulness. He prophesied about one hundred years before the destruction of Jerusalem, their temple, and their seventy-year exile in Babylon (Isaiah 39:6-7; see Jeremiah 25:11-12). Isaiah also prophesied that God would bring His people back, restore them, and bless them (chs. 40-66). In Isaiah 48, the prophet affirmed that whatever God had purposed for His people, He would bring to pass. For He’s the only true, everlasting God—the almighty Creator who chose them to be His people (vv. 12-15). He’s also the “Redeemer” (v. 17) who will teach and guide them (vv. 18-19).

Today's Devotional

In 1939, with the recent outbreak of war for Britain, King George VI sought in his Christmas Day radio broadcast to encourage citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to put their trust in God. Quoting a poem that his mother found precious, he said: “Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. / That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.” He didn’t know what the new year would bring, but he trusted God to “guide and uphold” them in the anxious days ahead.

The image of God’s hand appears in many places in the Bible, including in the book of Isaiah. Through this prophet, God called His people to trust that He as their Creator, “the first and . . . the last” (Isaiah 48:12), would remain involved with them. As He says, “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens” (v. 13). They should put their trust in Him and not look to those less powerful. After all, He’s their “Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” (v. 17).

Whatever we face as we look toward the new year, we can follow the encouragement of King George and the prophet Isaiah and place our hope and trust in God. Then, for us too, our peace will be like the river, our “well-being like the waves of the sea” (v. 18).

Reflect & Pray

As you consider the new year, what situations or relationships could you entrust to God? How does the image of His hand speak to you?

All-powerful God, You created the heavens and the earth and yet You cherish me. I place my trust in You

我手立了地的根基，我右手铺张诸天。（以赛亚书 48章13节）。

阅读:以赛亚书 48章12-19 节

以赛亚警告说，上帝会惩罚以色列人，因为他们崇拜偶像，对上帝不忠。这一点，以赛亚在耶路撒冷和圣殿被毁，以及..以色列人被流放到巴比伦七十年前的约一百年就预言了（以赛亚书 39:6-7；见耶利米书 25:11-12）。以赛亚还预言上帝会带他的子民回到故土，复兴他们，并祝福他们（ 40-66 章）。在以赛亚书 48 章中，先知肯定，上帝将实现祂为以色列人制定的每个计划。因为，以色列人的神是唯一真实、永恒的上帝，是全能的创造者，是他选择以色列人成为他的子民（ 12-15 节）。他也是教导和引导他们的“救赎主”（17 -19 节）。

今天的灵修

1939 年，随着对英国的战争爆发，乔治六世国王在圣诞节当天的广播中鼓励英国和英联邦的公民信靠上帝。他引用了一首他母亲认为很珍贵的诗，说：“走进黑暗，把你的手放在上帝的手中。这对你来说，比光明更好，比已知的道路更安全。”他不知道新的一年会带来什么，但他相信上帝会在未来焦虑的日子里“引导和支持”他们。

上帝之手的形象出现在圣经的许多地方，包括以赛亚书。藉着先知以赛亚，上帝呼吁他的子民来信靠祂，认定祂是他们的创造者，是“首先的和……末后的”（以赛亚书 48:12），祂会继续与他们同在。正如祂说的，“我手立了地的根基，我右手铺张诸天”（ 13 节）。他们应该信靠祂，而不是指望那些相比之下很软弱的人。毕竟，祂是他们的“救赎主，以色列的圣者”（ 17 节）。

无论我们在迎接新的一年时面临什么，我们都可以听从乔治国王和先知以赛亚的鼓励，将我们的希望和信任寄托在上帝身上。这样，我们的平安也将像河流一样，我们的“福祉就像海浪一样”（第 18 节）。

反思和祈祷

当你考虑新的一年时，你可以将哪些情况或关系托付给上帝？上帝之手的形象如何对你说话？