Deep-Water Rescue 深水援救
Dexu Xia
Deep-Water Rescue
He drew me out of deep waters. Psalm 18:16
A record rainfall more than tripled what was forecasted in Waverly, Tennessee, in August 2021. In the wake of the powerful storm, twenty people lost their lives and hundreds of homes were destroyed. Had it not been for the compassion and skill of helicopter pilot Joel Boyers, the loss of human life would’ve been even greater.
The pilot took flight in response to a phone call from a woman who was concerned about her loved ones. In addition to seeing houses on fire and cars in trees, Boyers noted, “It was nothing but [muddy], raging water below me.” The pilot, however, bravely proceeded to rescue twelve people from the roofs of their homes.
More often than not in life, the swirling floods we face aren’t literal—but oh, how real! In days of uncertainty and instability, we can feel overwhelmed, unsafe—“in over our heads” mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But we don’t need to despair.
In Psalm 18, we read how David’s enemies were many and mighty, but his God was greater. How great? So great and powerful (v. 1) that he used multiple metaphors (v. 2) to describe Him. God was mighty enough to rescue from deep waters and strong enemies (vv. 16–17). How great? Great enough for us to call upon Him in the name of Jesus, regardless of the volume and depth of the “waters” surrounding us in life (v. 3).
What deep waters are you facing that compel you to call upon God? What keeps you from calling on Him?
Strong, saving, rescuing God, in the midst of my distress, when life’s waters are raging, grant me the faith to see You and cleave to You in every storm.
深水援救
祂]把我从大水中拉上来。—诗篇18篇16节
在2021年8月，美国田纳西州维佛里镇降下破纪录的豪雨，超过所预期的两倍。豪雨带来的洪患导致20人丧生，数以百计的房舍遭毁。若不是飞行技术高超的直升机驾驶员乔尔 · 博耶斯（Joel Boyers）因怜悯而救人，罹难者恐怕更多。
一名妇人担心亲人的安危而打了求救电话，博耶斯接到电话后立刻起飞。飞到灾区，他所看到的是房屋着火，汽车卡在树上。他说：“从高空俯瞰，我只看到泥浆和滚滚恶水。”尽管如此，他仍勇敢地救出12名在屋顶上等待救援的民众。
在生活中，我们所遭遇的未必是真实的漩涡洪流，但却同样令人难以承受！在风雨飘摇并充满未知的时日里，我们会感到被压得喘不过气来，没有安全感，情绪和心灵惶惑不安。然而，我们无需感到绝望。
诗篇18篇记载，大卫面对庞大的敌军十分强势，但他的上帝更强大！上帝有多强大呢？上帝大有能力（1节），以至大卫用了许多比喻加以阐明（2节）。上帝的力量强大，足以将他从大水中拉上来，救他脱离强大的仇敌（16-17节）。上帝有多强大呢？即使我们面对生活中的“滚滚恶水”，只要我们奉耶稣的名向上帝呼求，大有能力的上帝足以拯救我们脱离险境（3节）。
你面临什么样的深水困境使你迫切地呼求上帝？什么会阻拦你求告祂呢？
满有能力、施行拯救的上帝，当我遇到急流冲击时，请祢给我信心看见祢的大能，并倚靠祢渡过每一场风暴。