our daily bread

[Dexu Xia]

Still the King

Rise up, O God, and defend your cause.  Psalm 74:22

One news report called it “the single deadliest day for Christians in decades.” The pair of attacks on Sunday worshipers in April 2017 defies our understanding. We simply don’t have a category to describe bloodshed in a house of worship. But we can find some help from others who know this kind of pain well.

Most of the people of Jerusalem were in exile or had been slain when Asaph wrote Psalm 74. Pouring out his heart’s anguish, he described the destruction of the temple at the hands of ruthless invaders. “Your foes roared in the place where you met with us,” Asaph said (v. 4). “They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name” (v. 7). 

Yet the psalmist found a place to stand despite the awful reality—providing encouragement that we can do so too. “But God is my King from long ago,” Asaph resolved. “He brings salvation on the earth” (v. 12). This truth enabled Asaph to praise God’s mighty power even though His salvation seemed absent in the moment. “Have regard for your covenant,” Asaph prayed. “Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name” (vv. 20–21).

When justice and mercy seem absent, God’s love and power are in no way diminished. With Asaph, we can confidently say, “But God is my King.”

Lord, with the psalmist we pray for the honor of Your Name. Show Yourself strong and compassionate. Rise up and defend Your cause.

God will defend His Name.

仍然做王

上帝啊，求祢起来，为自己伸诉。-诗篇74篇22节

在2017年4月的一个主日，埃及有两处教堂遭到血洗。一则新闻报导称这天为“数十年来，基督徒死伤最惨重的一天”。这两起针对主日敬拜者所发动的恐怖攻击，超出了我们的理解范围，根本没有文字可以形容在圣殿所发生的惨剧。然而，我们可以从其他受过同样痛苦的人身上找到一些帮助。当亚萨写下诗篇74篇时，大多数耶路撒冷的居民已被掳掠或惨遭杀害。他倾泄心中的痛苦，描述圣殿被残酷的侵略者摧毁，他对上帝说：“祢的敌人在祢会中吼叫；……他们用火焚烧祢的圣所，亵渎祢名的居所，拆毁到地。”（4、7节）

然而，在艰困的环境中，诗人仍能坚定立稳，这也鼓励我们可以像他那样，决意地说：“上帝自古以来为我的王──在地上施行拯救”（12节）。这个真理使亚萨仍能赞美上帝的全能，即使那时百姓似乎尚未得救，他依然祷告说：“求祢顾念所立的约，……不要叫受欺压的人蒙羞回去；要叫困苦穷乏的人赞美祢的名。”（20-21节）

纵然世界看似没有公义和怜悯，但上帝的慈爱和大能却从未缩减。愿我们可以像亚萨那样凭信心说：“上帝为我的王。”

主啊，我们与诗人一同为祢名的荣耀恳切祈求。
求祢显明祢的能力与怜悯，求祢为自己的名施行公义！

上帝会维护祂的圣名。