Hold Steady

[Dexu Xia]

I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand. Isaiah 41:13

Harriet Tubman was one of the great American heroes of the nineteenth century. Showing remarkable courage, she guided more than three hundred fellow slaves to freedom after she first escaped slavery by crossing into free territory in the United States north. Not content to simply enjoy her own freedom, she ventured back into slave states nineteen times to lead friends, family, and strangers to freedom, sometimes guiding people on foot all the way to Canada.

What drove Miss Tubman to such brave action? A woman of deep faith, she at one time said this: “I always told God, I’m going to hold steady on you, and you’ve got to see me through.” Her dependence on God’s guidance as she led people out of slavery was a hallmark of her success.

What does it mean to “hold steady” to God? A verse in the prophecy of Isaiah might help us see that in reality it’s He who holds us as we grab His hand. Isaiah quotes God, who said, “I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (41:13).

Harriet held tightly to God, and He saw her through. What challenges are you facing? Hold steady to God as He “takes hold” of your hand and your life. “Do not fear.” He will help you.

自有永有

上帝对摩西说：“我是自有永有的。”—出埃及记3章14节

不论是为小孩、宠物或公司取名字，命名总是一件大事。父母、家中成员或生意人无不绞尽脑汁，想要找出一个完美的名字。各种名字从经典到独特的都任君挑选，而多数人都会从中选择含有重要意义的名字。例如我的中文名字就带着父母对我的期望，他们希望我能成为有智慧的人。

在圣经时代，名字也很重要，而摩西也深知名字的重要性。当上帝在荆棘里的火焰中向他显现，并赋予他任务去带领以色列人脱离权大势强的法老时，他问上帝叫什么名字，上帝回答说：“我是自有永有的”（出埃及记3章13-14节）。这个名字说明了上帝是永恒、自足、预先存在、本就存在的，也是统管万有、无所不能的。祂是宇宙中唯一的主宰，不需倚赖其他事物而存在。从昨天、今天直到永远，祂都不会改变。没有任何事能使祂违背自己的特质或祂本身的诚实正直。

上帝的名字是我们相信祂永远信实不可动摇的基础！了解上帝名字的意义，能帮助我们在日常生活中信靠祂，并帮助我们克尽己职。因为我们知道那位无限的“自有永有的”上帝与我们同在，而且祂永不改变。

在你的生活中，你什么时候把上帝看得太渺小？
了解上帝名为“我是自有永有的”，
如何影响你的生活方式？你要如何敬拜祂呢？

喔，主啊，唯有祢是无限权能、伟大荣耀，
且永恒不变的。帮助我今天能更深地认识祢！