Through the Waters从水中经过
Dexu Xia
Through the Waters
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2
The movie The Free State of Jones tells the US Civil War story of Newton Knight and some Confederate deserters and slaves who aided the Union Army and then resisted slaveholders after the war. Many herald Knight as the hero, but two slaves first saved his life after his desertion. They carried him deep into a secluded swampland and tended a leg wound he suffered while fleeing Confederate forces. If they’d abandoned him, he would have died.
The people of Judah were wounded and desperate, facing enemies and feeling helpless. Israel had been overtaken by Assyria, and Isaiah prophesied that one day they (Judah) would also be overcome by an enemy—Babylonia. Judah needed a God who would help, who would rescue and not forsake them. Imagine, then, the surging hope when the people heard God’s assurance: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (Isaiah 43:5). Whatever calamity they faced or trouble they would endure, He would be with them. He would “pass through the waters” with them, leading them to safety (v. 2). He would “walk through the fire” with them, helping them through the scorching flames (v. 2).
Throughout Scripture, God promises to be with His people, to care for us, guide us, and never abandon us—whether in life or death. Even when you find yourself in difficult places, God is with you. He’ll help you pass through the waters.
What deep waters are you facing? How does God’s promise to pass through them with you strengthen your heart today?
God, the water is deep, and I don’t see how I’m going to make it through. Thank You for promising to be with me and to carry me through!
从水中经过
你从水中经过，我必与你同在。—以赛亚书43章2节
电影《烈火边境》讲述了美国南北战争期间，纽顿 · 奈特（Newton Knight）因支持解放黑奴而逃离南军，并率领一些南军逃兵和奴隶组成反抗军抵抗奴隶主。许多人视奈特为英雄，但在他开始叛逃时，两个奴隶曾救了他一命。那时他的脚受了伤，这两个奴隶把他带到沼泽地并照顾他，后来也有其他的叛军陆续加入他们组成反抗军。若这两个奴隶当时离弃奈特，他肯定无法存活，更不可能成为英雄。
犹大国的百姓因危机四伏而陷入绝望，面对敌人深感无助。当时，北方的以色列国已被亚述占领。先知以赛亚预言，有一天犹大国将被巴比伦征服。犹大百姓需要能帮助他们的上帝，这位上帝能施行拯救也不会离弃他们。试想，当百姓听见上帝应许说：“不要害怕，因我与你同在！”（以赛亚书43章5节）他们的内心激起何等大的盼望。无论他们会遭遇何种灾祸或苦难，上帝都与他们同在。祂会与他们一同“从水中经过”（2节），领他们到安全之处；祂会与他们一同“从火中行过”（2节），领他们走出炙热的火焰。
圣经一再告诉我们，上帝应许与祂的百姓同在，无论我们是生或死，祂都会看顾引导，永不离弃我们。即便身处困境之中，上帝仍与你同在，祂将帮助你“从水中经过”。
上帝啊，我所面临的困难有如深水，不知如何度过。
谢谢祢应许要与我同在，并应许要带领我经过水火！
你正面对什么样的困境？上帝应许会陪伴你度过难关，这如何坚固你的信心？