Anchored in Truth 在真理上扎根
Dexu Xia
I will drive him like a peg into a firm place. Isaiah 22:23
My family lives in a nearly century-old house with a lot of character, including wonderfully textured plaster walls. A builder cautioned me that with these walls, to hang a picture I’d have to either drill the nail into a wood support or use a plaster anchor for support. Otherwise, I’d risk the picture crashing to the ground, leaving an ugly hole behind.
The prophet Isaiah used the imagery of a nail driven firmly into a wall to describe a minor biblical character named Eliakim. Unlike the corrupt official Shebna (Isaiah 22:15–19), as well as the people of Israel—who looked to themselves for strength (vv. 8–11)—Eliakim trusted in God. Prophesying Eliakim’s promotion to palace administrator for King Hezekiah, Isaiah wrote that Eliakim would be driven like a “peg into a firm place” (v. 23). Being securely anchored in God’s truth and grace would also allow Eliakim to be a support for his family and his people (vv. 22–24).
Yet Isaiah concluded this prophecy with a sobering reminder that no person can be the ultimate security for friends or family—we all fail (v. 25). The only completely trustworthy anchor for our lives is Jesus (Psalm 62:5–6; Matthew 7:24). As we care for others and share their burdens, may we also point them to Him, the anchor who will never fail.
How can you stay firmly anchored in God’s truth and grace? In what ways can you support those feeling weighed down by life’s burdens?
Dear Jesus, thank You for being my anchor. As Your child, I know that I’m firmly planted in You.
我要使他立稳，像钉子钉在坚固的地方。—以赛亚书22章23节，和合本修订版
我们所住的房子有将近百年的历史，这房子具有许多特色，包括纹理精美的石膏墙壁。一位建筑工告诉我，石膏墙壁不够坚固，若想在这种墙上挂图画，就必须把钉子钻进木材支柱，或是使用锚栓支撑。要不然，图画可能随时会摔落地面，只留下一个丑陋的洞在墙上。
先知以赛亚用钉子坚固地钉入墙壁的意象，来描述一位不太知名的圣经人物以利亚敬。那时，贪腐的宫廷总管舍伯那（以赛亚书22章15-19节）和以色列民都依赖自己的能力（8-11节），但以利亚敬却信靠上帝。以赛亚预言以利亚敬会晋升为犹大王希西家的宫廷总管，并说上帝“要使他立稳，像钉子钉在坚固的地方”（23节，和合本修订版）。以利亚敬立稳在上帝的真理与恩典中，使他成为家人与百姓的支柱（22-24节）。
但是在这段预言的结尾，以赛亚提出令人警醒的忠告，就是没有人能做朋友或家人终极的安全保障，因我们都会衰败（25节）。在我们的生命中，唯一完全值得信靠的是耶稣，祂是我们的磐石和保障（诗篇62篇5-6节；马太福音7章24节）。愿我们在关心他人与分担他们的重担时，也能引领他们归向这万古磐石、永远的保障。
你如何立稳在上帝的真理与恩典中？
对于被生活压得透不过气的人，你能如何帮助他们？
身为祢的儿女，我知道自己有祢做我稳固的根基。