Strong and Good 强大而美善

[Dexu Xia]

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  Psalm 118:22

The young campus minister was troubled. But he looked conflicted when I dared to ask if he prays . . . for God’s direction . . . for His help. To pray, as Paul urged, without ceasing. In reply, the young man confessed, “I’m not sure I believe anymore in prayer.” He frowned. “Or believe that God is listening. Just look at the world.” That young leader was “building” a ministry in his own strength and, sadly, he was failing. Why? He was rejecting God.

Jesus, as the cornerstone of the church, has always been rejected—starting, in fact, with His own people (John 1:11). Many still reject Him today, struggling to build their lives, work, even churches on lesser foundations—their own schemes, dreams, and other unreliable ground. Yet, our good Savior alone is our strength and defense (Psalm 118:14). Indeed, “the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v. 22).

Set at the vital corner of our lives, He provides the only right alignment for anything His believers seek to accomplish for Him. To Him, therefore, we pray, “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!” (v. 25). The result? “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (v. 26). May we give thanks to Him because He’s strong and good.

By:  Patricia Raybon

What dream or plans do you have as you build for God? How can you put Christ at the cornerstone of your plan, building it for Him?

I praise You, Jesus, for being the chief cornerstone. Only on You can Your church and my life stand.

匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。—诗篇118篇22节

年轻的校园牧者感到很烦恼。我坦率地问他有没有祷告寻求上帝带领，像保罗说的那样不住祷告，祈求上帝帮助，他听了显得很困惑。他在回答时承认：“我不确定祷告还有没有用。”他皱着眉说：“我也不确定上帝是否垂听，你看看这个世界就知道。”那位年轻的领袖正以一己之力“建立”福音事工，很可悲地，他失败了。为什么？因他拒绝了上帝。

耶稣是教会的房角石，但祂也常被人拒绝。事实上，最先拒绝祂的是祂家乡的人（约翰福音1章11节）。今天，很多人仍然拒绝祂。他们拼命地把生活、工作，甚至是教会，都建立在不稳固的基础上，例如自己的计划、梦想及其他不可靠的东西。然而，唯有这位美善的救主才是我们的力量及拯救（诗篇118篇14节）。诚如圣经所说：“匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。”（22节）

假如我们的生活是一座房子，耶稣就是最重要的房角石。在信徒努力为祂所做的一切事上，祂都提供了唯一正确的准绳。因此，我们可以如此祷告：“耶和华啊，求祢拯救！耶和华啊，求祢使我们亨通！”（25节）结果会如何呢？“奉耶和华名来的是应当称颂的！”（26节）愿我们称谢祂，因祂强大而美善。

作者：  雷翠霞

当你为上帝工作时，你有何梦想或计划？
在制定计划时，你如何能以基督为房角石，
并为了祂而建造一切？

主耶稣，我要颂赞祢，
因祢是最重要的房角石。只有建基于祢，
祢的教会及我的人生才会屹立不倒