Never Alone 永不孤单
Dexu Xia
The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
Today's Scripture Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Today's Insights In Deuteronomy, Moses recounts in three speeches (chs. 1-4; 5-26; 27-34) the history of the Israelites about to enter the promised land. The forty years of discipline had ended, and all Israelites twenty years and older when the exodus began had died, except for Moses, Joshua, and Caleb (Numbers 14:29-35). Moses urged the Israelites to learn from their past unfaithfulness and to trust God (Deuteronomy 31:4-6). Moses himself wouldn’t enter Canaan because he’d dishonored God at Kadesh by striking the rock for water instead of only speaking to it (Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 106:32-33). He was permitted, however, to see Canaan from Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1-5). As God was with the Israelites, He’s with all believers in Jesus even when we experience loneliness.
Today's Devotional Over the years, I’ve encouraged and prayed for many people battling loneliness for various reasons: nursing home residents whose family members don’t visit, the widow who spends her days outside so as not to be alone in her empty house, ministry leaders who don’t have anyone to confide in, and homeless people who feel ignored and alone. Loneliness can strike anyone at any time. The US Surgeon General released an advisory in May 2023 alerting the public about the epidemic of loneliness. About half of US adults say they’ve experienced loneliness, which can be as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, according to the advisory.
When Moses was getting ready to pass the torch to his successor, Joshua, he wanted to make sure the Israelites knew they wouldn’t be facing any battles alone as they entered the promised land: “Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). He also reminded their new leader, Joshua, that “the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (v. 8). And he concluded with words that can encourage us today: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (v. 8).
When we’re facing loneliness, let’s take comfort in knowing that God will never leave nor forsake us.
Reflect & Pray
Why is it important to know you’re never alone? How comforting is it to know God is with you?
Dear God, thank You that I’m never alone.
By Nancy Gavilanes
耶和华你的神与你同去，他总不撇下你，也不丢弃你。申命记 31:6
今日经文：申命记 31章1-8 节
今日心得： 在申命记中，摩西用三篇讲道（1-4章；5-26章；27-34章）讲述以色列人即将进入应许之地的历史。四十年的管教已经结束，在出埃及时二十岁以上的以色列人，除了摩西、约书亚和迦勒，都倒毙在旷野，（民数记 14:29-35）。摩西敦促以色列人要从过去的不忠中吸取教训，信靠上帝（申命记 31:4-6）。摩西自己也无法进入迦南，因为他在加低斯没有按照上帝的吩咐让磐石出水，却击打磐石，羞辱了上帝（民数记 20:1-13；诗篇 106:32-33）。然而，摩西被允许从尼波山上俯瞰迦南（申命记 34:1-5）。正如上帝与以色列人同在，即使我们感到孤独，他也与所有信耶稣的人同在。
今日灵修 多年来我一直为许多因各种原因与孤独作斗争的人祷告：没有家人探望的养老院老人、不想独自待在空荡的房子里而整天在外游荡的寡妇、无人倾诉的传道领袖，以及感到被忽视的孤独无家可归者。孤独随时可能袭击任何人。美国卫生局局长于2023年5月发布的一份咨询报告中提醒公众注意孤独的蔓延。大约一半美国成年人表示他们经历过孤独，据该报告，这种感觉就像每天吸一打香烟那样致命。
当摩西准备将火炬传递给他的继任者约书亚时，他想确保以色列人知道，在他们进入应许之地时不会孤军奋战：“不要害怕，也不要惊惶，因为耶和华你的神和你同在，他必不撇下你，也不丢弃你”（申命记 31:6）。他还提醒他们的新领袖约书亚：“耶和华必在你前面行，他必与你同在，祂必不撇下你也不丢弃你”（第8节）。最后，他总结道：“不要惧怕，不要惊惶”（第8节）这些话语至今仍能激励我们。当我们面对孤独时，让我们从上帝永不撇下我们、永不丢弃我们的应许中寻得安慰。
反思与祈祷 为什么知道自己永远不孤单如此重要？知道上帝与你同在，是多么令人欣慰的事？ 亲爱的上帝，感谢你让我永远不孤单。作者：南希·加维拉内斯