our daily bread

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Dexu Xia

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Oct 20, 2018, 3:23:28 AM10/20/18

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Safe in His Arms

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. Isaiah 40:11

The weather outside was threatening, and the alert on my cell phone warned about the possibility of flash floods. An unusual number of cars were parked in my neighborhood as parents and others gathered to pick up children at the school bus drop-off point. By the time the bus arrived, it had started to rain. That’s when I observed a woman exit her car and retrieve an umbrella from the trunk. She walked towards a little girl and made sure the child was shielded from the rain until they returned to the vehicle. What a beautiful “real time” picture of parental, protective care that reminded me of the care of our heavenly Father.

The prophet Isaiah forecast punishment for disobedience followed by brighter days for God’s people (Isaiah 40:1–8). The heavenly dispatch from the mountain (v. 9) assured the Israelites of God’s mighty presence and tender care. The good news, then and now, is that because of God’s power and ruling authority, anxious hearts need not fear (vv. 9–10). Included in the announcement was news about the Lord’s protection, the kind of protection shepherds provide (v. 11): vulnerable young sheep would find safety in the Shepherd’s arms; nursing ewes would be led gently.

In a world where circumstances aren’t always easy, such images of safety and care compel us to look confidently to the Lord. Those who trust wholeheartedly in the Lord find security and renewed strength in Him (v. 31).

Father, in a world where we are sometimes threatened, we are comforted because of Your gracious care for us—in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The good news is that God cares for us!

在主怀中

祂必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。-以赛亚书40章11节

天气越来越恶劣，手机也传来警讯，警告大家将可能有洪水爆发。在我家附近学生上下校车的地方，出现了很多的车辆，许多家长都来接孩子。校车到站的时候，已经开始下雨了。我看见一位女士下了车，从后车厢拿伞去接一个小女孩，小心翼翼地保护她不被淋湿，直到她安全上车。眼前的这一幕，正是父母保护照顾子女最美丽的写照，这也让我想起，天父对我们无微不至的看顾。

先知以赛亚向上帝的百姓宣告，他们将因自己的悖逆受罚，但此后将展开美好的年日（以赛亚书40章1-8节）。那传好消息的从山上大声宣告（9节），向以色列民传扬上帝大能的降临，必悉心看顾祂的子民。这好消息就是不论当时或现在，因着上帝的大能及统治的权柄，惊恐的众民都不必惧怕（9-10节）。这好消息也宣告了上帝的保护，如同牧羊人保护羊群（11节）：牧人必将稚嫩脆弱的羊羔稳抱怀中，也慢慢引导那乳养羊羔的母羊。

我们在生活中时常会面对各样艰难，但这些得着安稳和照顾的画面，能激励我们信靠仰望上帝。全心全意信靠上帝的人，必能在祂里面得着平安，且从新得力（31节）。

亲爱的天父，我们生活在这个时有危险的世上，
但祢藉着主耶稣基督，使我们得享祢慈爱的眷顾，
让我们的心不再害怕惊慌。