Reminder of God’s Presence 提醒上帝同在的事物

[Dexu Xia]

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Joshua 8:1

Today's Scripture   Joshua 8:1 , 18-19, 24-27

Today's Insights

In the Bible, God has given us physical reminders of His love and grace. As the Israelites faced the challenges of the wilderness journey, “by day [God] led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire” (Nehemiah 9:12). Joshua’s holding out his spear reminded the Israelites God was leading them in battle (Joshua 8:18, 26). In the New Testament, Thomas refused to believe that Jesus was alive until he saw and touched His crucifixion wounds (John 20:24-29). The Lord’s Supper helps us remember Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In our journey of faith, these physical reminders assure us that God is with us “always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Today's Devotion

With branches of scraggly leaves growing upward like hands raised to the heavens, the unique trees we saw while hiking Joshua Tree National Park in California intrigued us. Many believe the trees were dubbed “Joshua Trees” by pioneers, who were reminded by the trees of an Old Testament story where Joshua lifted high a javelin as a sign of God’s presence and help.

After entering Canaan, the Israelites needed God’s help in battle. After being defeated at the city of Ai due to their sin (Joshua 7:11-12), the Israelites were likely afraid to fight the city again. But God encouraged Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (8:1). Then God told Joshua to “hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city” (v. 18). Joshua obeyed God and “did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin” until the battle was won (v. 26). It wasn’t the javelin in Joshua’s outstretched hand that secured the victory. Instead, it was a symbol of God’s promise to help them and be with them.

Reminders of God’s presence with us can be helpful when we face difficult challenges. A Bible verse displayed in our homes, a stunning picture of God’s creation, a cross necklace: These things don’t provide assistance, but God can use them to remind us of His promised presence and power.

Reflect & Pray

What reminds you of God’s presence? How does this reminder help you face challenging situations?

 Heavenly Father, in the challenges I face today, please help me to remember Your presence with me. 

By Lisa M Samra

 

耶和华对约书亚说：“不要惧怕，也不要惊惶。”约书亚记8:1 今日经文：约书亚记8章1，18-19，24-27 节

今日洞见： 在圣经中，神赐给我们一些有形的提醒，以此显明祂的爱与恩典。当以色列人面对旷野旅程中的种种挑战时，“日间，[上帝]用云柱引导他们；夜间，用火柱照亮他们”（尼希米记9:12）。约书亚伸出手中长矛的举动，提醒着以色列人：上帝正亲自带领他们争战（约书亚记8:18，26）。在新约时代，门徒多马曾拒绝相信耶稣已经复活，直到他亲眼看见并亲手触摸了耶稣受难时留下的伤痕（约翰福音20:24-29）。而圣餐礼则帮助我们铭记基督在十字架上为我们流血舍身受死的救赎大爱（哥林多前书11:23-26）。在我们信仰的旅途中，这些有形的提醒给了我们确据：神必与我们同在，“直到世界的末了”（马太福音28:20）。

 今日灵修   在加利福尼亚州的约书亚树国家公园徒步旅行时，我们被一种独特的树木深深吸引：它们那长满稀疏叶片的枝条向上伸展，仿佛一双双高举向天的手。许多人相信，正是当年的拓荒者们给这些树起了“约书亚树”这个名字；因为这些树让他们联想到旧约圣经中的一个故事在那场战役中，约书亚高举手中的标枪，以此作为神同在并施予援手的记号。 进入迦南地后，以色列人在争战中极其需上帝的帮助。此前，以色列人因着自身的罪孽，曾在攻打艾城的战役中遭遇惨败（约书亚记7:11-12）；经历了那次挫败，他们很可能已对再次攻打艾城心生惧意。然而，神却鼓励约书亚说：“不要惧怕，也不要惊惶”（8:1）。随后，神吩咐约书亚：“你要向艾城伸出你手中的标枪，因为我必将城交在你手里”（18节）。约书亚顺服了神的旨意，他“没有收回那伸出来的标枪之手”，直到整场战役取得最终的胜利（26节）。赢得胜利的，并非约书亚手中那柄伸出的标枪；相反，它乃是上帝应许要帮助并与他们同在的一个象征。

   当我们面临艰难挑战时，那些提醒我们，上帝与我们同在的事物，往往能带给我们莫大的帮助和益处。无论是家中陈列的一节圣经经文，一幅展现上帝奇妙创造的壮丽画作，还是一条佩戴在身的十字架项链，这些物件本身并不能提供实质的帮助，但上帝却能借着它们，来提醒我们，祂那同在的应许是真实的，并且是充满大能的。

反思与祷告：有什么事物能提醒你上帝与你同在？这种提醒又是如​​何帮助你去面对充满挑战的处境的？ 天父啊，面对我今日所遭遇的种种挑战，求祢帮助我时刻铭记：祢正与我同在。 —— 丽莎·M·萨姆拉