The Long Game 打持久战

[Dexu Xia]

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh.” Exodus 6:1

When believers in Jesus in David’s country suffered oppression, their farm animals were killed. Having lost their livelihood, David’s family scattered to various countries. For nine years, he existed in a refugee camp far from his family. He knew God was with him, but during the separation, two family members died. He grew despondent.

Long ago, another people group faced brutal oppression. So God appointed Moses to lead those people—the Israelites—out of Egypt. Moses reluctantly agreed. But when he approached Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler only intensified the oppression (Exodus 5:6–9). “I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go,” he said (v. 2). The people complained to Moses, who complained to God (vv. 20–23).

In the end, God freed the Israelites and they got the freedom they wanted—but in His way and timing. He plays a long game, teaching us about His character and preparing us for something greater.

David made good use of his years in a refugee camp, earning a master’s degree from a New Delhi seminary. Now he’s a pastor to his own people—refugees like him who have found a new home. “My story as a refugee forms the crucible for leading as a servant,” he says. In his testimony, David cites Moses’ song in Exodus 15:2: “The Lord is my strength and my defense.” And today, He’s ours as well.

By:  Tim Gustafson

What questions do you have for God? How will you trust Him to keep His word?

Heavenly Father, I can always rely on You. Forgive me when I lose sight of that truth.

 

耶和华对摩西说：“现在你必看见我向法老所行的事。”—出埃及记6章1节

当泰明的国家发生政变时，军队开始恐吓基督徒，并杀害他们农场的牲畜。在失去生计后，泰明的家人分散到不同的国家。九年来，泰明一直住在离开家人很远的难民营里。他知道上帝与他同在，但在这段分离期间，他的两个家人过世了，使他开始感到绝望。

千百年前，以色列人也面对残酷的逼迫，上帝便指派摩西带领他们离开埃及，而摩西勉强同意了。但他去见法老时，法老却说：“我不认识耶和华，也不容以色列人去”（出埃及记5章2节），而且这埃及君王还对以色列人加强施压（6-9节）。以色列百姓因此责怪摩西，而摩西则抱怨上帝（20-23节）。

最终，上帝拯救了以色列人，让他们得到渴盼已久的自由，但却是按照祂的方式和时间。上帝用的是打持久战的方式，使我们认识祂的特质，让我们为更伟大的事做好准备。

泰明善用在难民营里的岁月，取得了印度新德里一所神学院的硕士学位。他现在是一位牧师，服事自己的同胞，即那些像他一样已找到新居所的难民。他说：“成为难民的经历磨炼并造就我成为一位仆人领袖。”在泰明的见证里，他引用了出埃及记15章2节摩西写的诗歌：“耶和华是我的力量、……我的拯救。”如今，上帝也是你我的力量与拯救！

作者：  葛庭墨

对于你目前的景况，你会想问上帝什么问题？
你如何相信上帝会信守承诺，
拯救你脱离困境？

天父啊，我知道我可以永远倚靠祢，
当我忽视这一真理时，求祢赦免我