Our Loving Rescuer 我们慈爱的拯救者

[Dexu Xia]

Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:17

Today's Scripture Psalm 55:1-22

Today's Insights  David was in intense emotional anguish and was enduring devastating pain (Psalm 55:4-5). This pain was caused by the betrayal of someone he trusted, one whom he described in endearing terms: “my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship” (vv. 13-14). Initially, the psalmist had considered hiding in the desert to escape the storm, hoping to isolate himself from the pain. He pictures himself as a bird taking flight into the desert, which he thought would provide him with a safe place of refuge (vv. 6-8). Eventually, David chose to run to God instead, affirming that only He could rescue him and keep him safe (vv. 16-18). He says to “give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you” (v. 22). Just as God pursued David, He hears us and pursues us when we face difficulties

Today's Devotional  During a raging wildfire, a forest ranger saved a bear cub. At a recovery site safely away from those still fighting the inferno, he placed the rescued animal on the ground. Standing on its tiny back paws, the cub hugged the man’s calf. The ranger gently pried himself away. Mouth wide as if crying out in desperation, the little bear clambered and clawed in an attempt to remain in the refuge of his rescuer’s embrace. As the cub clung to his arm, the kind man relented。He held the bear up and softly rubbed his furry friend’s head.  What if we pursued our ultimate rescuer—Jesus—with the same fierce desperation and confidence as the bear cub who pursued and clung to the one who saved him from death? All people God made need saving. The psalmist David confessed his need for a rescuer—for God to hear and answer his prayers (Psalm 55:1-2). Admitting he faced troubles, threats, suffering, and fear (vv. 3-5), David pursued God with assurance. “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me,” he said (v. 16). “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice” (v. 17). David prayed continually. He believed God listened and trusted that He would rescue him “unharmed” (v. 18).  When we face difficulties or suffering of any kind, like David, we can cry out to God. Our loving Rescuer, who pursues us, hears and saves us when we pursue Him too.

Reflect & Pray

How can you pursue God today? When has God rescued you from trouble or suffering? 

Dear God, thank You for rescuing me from death through Christ and for being my refuge every day.  By Xochitl Dixon.

“我要在晚上、早晨、响午哀声悲叹，他必听我的声音。”（诗篇 55:17 ）

今日经文 诗篇 55篇11-22 节

今日感悟 大卫当时正经历着极度的情感痛苦和毁灭性的折磨（诗篇 55:4-5）。这种痛苦源于他遭所信任之人的背叛，他曾用亲切的词语描述这个人：“我的伙伴，我的密友，我曾与他享受甜蜜的相交”（13-14节）。起初，这位诗篇作者曾想躲到旷野去逃避这场风暴，希望以此来摆脱痛苦。他想象自己像一只飞向旷野的鸟，他以为那里会给他提供一个安全的避难所（6-8节）。最终，大卫选择转向神，确信只有神才能拯救和保护他（16-18节）。他说：“把你的重担卸给耶和华，他必扶持你”（22节）。正如神追寻大卫一样，当我们面临困境时，他也垂听我们的祷告，并追寻我们。

 今日灵修 在一场肆虐森林的大火中，一位森林管理员救了一只小熊。在远离火灾现场的安全地带，他把这只获救的小动物放在地上。小熊用它的小后腿站起来，抱住了管理员的小腿。管理员轻轻地挣脱开。小熊张大嘴巴，仿佛绝望地哭喊着，它爬着、抓着，试图留在救命恩人的怀抱里。小熊紧紧地抓住他的手臂，这位善良的管理员心软了，他抱起小熊，轻轻抚摸着它毛茸茸的脑袋。

如果我们像这只小熊一样，以同样的强烈渴望和信心去寻求我们最终的拯救者耶稣，那会怎样呢？上帝创造的每一个人都需要拯救。诗篇作者大卫承认自己需要一位拯救者，他需要神垂听并回应他的祷告（诗篇 55:1-2）。大卫承认自己面临着麻烦、威胁、痛苦和恐惧（3-5节），但他满怀信心地寻求神。“至于我，我向神呼求，耶和华就拯救我，”他说（16节）。“我要在晚上、早晨、响午哀声悲叹，他必听我的声音”（第17节）。大卫不住地祷告。他相信神垂听他的祷告，并信靠神会“平安”地拯救他（第18节）。 当我们面临任何困难或苦难时，我们都可以像大卫一样向神呼求。我们慈爱的救主追寻我们，当我们也追寻他时，他就会垂听我们的祷告并拯救我们。

 反思与祷告 今天你可以如何寻求神？神何时曾把你从困境或苦难中拯救出来？ 亲爱的神，感谢您藉着基督把我从死亡中拯救出来，并且每天都做我的避难所。作者：Xochitl Dixon。