God Holds Us 上帝扶持
Dexu Xia
God Holds Us
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
South African Fredie Blom turned 114 in 2018, widely recognized as the oldest living man. Born in 1904, the year the Wright Brothers built their Flyer II, he’s lived through both World Wars, apartheid, and the Great Depression. When asked for the secret for his longevity, Blom only shrugs. Like many of us, he hasn’t always chosen the foods and practices that promote wellness. However, Blom does offer one reason for his remarkable health: “There’s only one thing, it’s [God]. He’s got all the power . . . . He holds me.”
Blom echoes words similar to what God spoke to Israel, as the nation wilted under the oppression of fierce enemies. “I will strengthen you and help you,” God promised. “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). No matter how desperate their situation, how impossible the odds that they would ever find relief, God assured His people that they were held in His tender care. “Do not fear, for I am with you,” He insisted. “Do not be dismayed, for I am your God” (v. 10).
No matter how many years we’re given, life’s hardships will come knocking at our door. A troubled marriage. A child abandoning the family. Terrifying news from the doctor. Even persecution. However, our God reaches out to us and holds us firmly. He gathers us and holds us in His strong, tender hand.
When have you felt isolated or exposed? How does it encourage you to know that your life is being held in God’s strong hand?
God, assure me that You’re holding me because I feel like I’m only hanging on by a thread. I trust that You’ll help and uphold me.
上帝扶持
我必用我公义的右手扶持你。—以赛亚书41章10节
在2018年，年届114岁的南非人布隆（Fredie Blom），被公认是全世界最长寿的男性人瑞。他于1904年出生，刚好是莱特兄弟制造了飞行者二号的那年，布隆经历了两次世界大战、南非的种族隔离时代，以及全球性的经济大萧条。当人们问布隆长寿的秘诀时，他只是耸了耸肩膀。因为和许多人一样，他并非总是选择能促进健康的食物及作法。但布隆为他的非凡健康提供了一个理由，他说：“只有一件事，那就是上帝，祂满有能力，祂扶持我！”
布隆所说的与上帝对以色列民所说的话类似，当以色列被凶恶的敌人压迫得丧失勇气时，上帝应许以色列百姓说：“我必坚固你，我必帮助你，我必用我公义的右手扶持你”（以赛亚书41章10节）。无论以色列百姓的境况何等绝望，多么不可能脱离困境，但上帝依然向祂的子民保证，祂会温柔地扶持他们。上帝坚定地说：“不要害怕，因为我与你同在；不要惊惶，因为我是你的上帝。”（10节）
不论我们的一生是长久或短暂，我们总会面对许多艰辛的挑战，例如婚姻陷入困境、孩子离家出走、医生告知罹患恶疾，甚或遭受迫害。但上帝会向我们伸出援手并坚定地扶持我们；祂会保护我们，并以大能而温柔的手扶持我们！
你何时曾感到孤独或被遗弃？
当你明白生命是掌握在上帝的手中，会如何鼓励你呢？
上帝啊，我觉得自己的生命危在旦夕，求祢让我确信，
祢正在保护我、帮助我和扶持我。