God’s Epic Story 上帝写的奇妙故事

[Dexu Xia]

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Life magazine’s July 12, 1968, cover displayed a horrifying photograph of starving children from Biafra (in Nigeria during a civil war). A young boy, distressed, took a copy of the magazine to a pastor and asked, “Does God know about this?” The pastor replied, “I know you don’t understand, but, yes, God knows about that.” The boy walked out, declaring he was uninterested in such a God.

These questions disturb not only children but all of us. Alongside an affirmation of God’s mysterious knowledge, I wish that boy had heard about the epic story God is continuing to write, even in places like the former nation of Biafra.

Jesus unfolded this story for His followers, those who assumed He’d shield them from hardship. Christ told them instead that “in this world you will have trouble.” What Jesus did offer, however, was His promise that these evils weren’t the end. In fact, He’d already “overcome the world” (John 16:33). And in God’s final chapter, every injustice will be undone, every suffering healed.

Genesis to Revelation recounts the story of God destroying every unthinkable evil, making every wrong right. The story presents the loving One whose interest in us is unquestioned. Jesus said to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace” (v. 33). May we rest in His peace and presence today. 

By:  Winn Collier

How does the story you see feel tragic? How does Jesus’ promise to write a good ending free you?

Dear God, it’s hard for me to see how You’ll right all the evils. But I trust You to do it.

在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。—约翰福音16章33节

在1968年7月12日，一份杂志的封面展示一张骇人的照片，画面是比亚法拉共和国（自行宣布独立而引发奈及利亚内战）濒临饿死的儿童。一个小男孩拿着杂志问牧师说：“上帝知道这些事吗？”牧师说：“我知道你无法了解，但的确，上帝知道。”小男孩很失望，宣称他对这样的上帝没有兴趣。

这些问题不仅困扰着孩子们，也困扰我们所有人。除了肯定上帝难以测透之外，我希望这男孩还能听到上帝持续书写的奇妙故事，即使是在像比亚法拉这样遭遇苦难的国家。

耶稣曾向跟从祂的人展示这奇妙的故事，这些人也以为耶稣会保护他们免遭患难，但耶稣告诉他们：“在世上你们有苦难。”然而，耶稣也赐下祂的应许，保证这些磨难并不是最后的结果，因为祂“已经胜了世界”（约翰福音16章33节）。而且在上帝所写的最后一个篇章，所有的不公义都会被消除，所有的痛苦都会得到医治。

从创世记到启示录都在讲述上帝所写的故事，祂摧毁每个难以想像的罪恶，纠正一切的错误。这故事确确实实地展现慈爱的上帝对你我的关怀。耶稣对门徒说：“我将这些事告诉你们，是要叫你们在我里面有平安”（33节）。愿我们今天能因祂的平安与同在而得安息。

作者：  郭惟恩

这世界的走向为何令你看了觉得哀伤？
耶稣所应许将来美好的结局，如何使你释怀？

上帝已败坏了管辖这黑暗罪恶世界的属灵权势，使人们得着真实、永不失去的盼望。 点击阅读：

亲爱的上帝，虽然我很难明白将来祢会如何拨乱反正，
但我相信祢必成就这事。