God, Our Safe Place 上帝，我们的避难所
Dexu Xia
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
Today's Scripture Proverbs 18:10-11
Today's Insights The book of Proverbs is included in the portion of the Old Testament known as wisdom literature. It’s properly placed there because it’s a collection of wise sayings from sages in Israel’s past. Much of the counsel is from King Solomon, to whom God granted extraordinary wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-9). God told him there would be none before him and none after him who would be greater in wisdom (v. 12). With so much of the divinely inspired wisdom of the book of Proverbs rooted in the unique gift of wisdom entrusted to Solomon, it’s important to give careful attention to its life-changing words. The wisdom God offers us in the Scriptures is just one of His provisions to us. He’s also given us the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us to know and experience the safety and help we so desperately need
Today's Devotional
We’d been driving for fifteen hours, and it was late at night when a tornado alert jolted us to attention. The warning said we should take cover immediately. As if on cue, lightning exploded in the sky, and wind pressed against our car windows. We sped off the highway and parked near a concrete hotel building. Sprinting inside, we were thankful to find shelter.
Trouble reminds us we need a safe place to stay. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Theologians tell us the phrase “the name of the Lord” means the entirety of who God is. All His attributes provide security as we hide ourselves in Him. Because God is kind, He welcomes us. Because He’s good, He listens to us. Because He’s love, He empathizes with us.
But God isn’t just another way to cope with problems. He’s more than a quick fix or a distraction. Taking refuge in Him means choosing His help over everything else. We can run to Him in prayer, meditate on Scripture, or surrender to the Holy Spirit in times of stress and anxiety. Over the years, these habits lead to a lifetime of reliance on the one who's our true shelter.
Reflect & Pray
Why might you choose self-reliance over God’s help? Which attribute of God comforts you the most as you face storms in life?
Thank You God, for being my safe place. Please help me to turn to You in every struggle.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
耶和华的名是坚固台；义人奔入，便得安稳。箴言 18:10
今日经文 箴言 18章10-11 节
今日心得 箴言书被归入旧约圣经中被称为智慧文学的部分。箴言书归类到智慧文学很恰当，因为它汇集了以色列古代圣贤的箴言。其中许多忠告来自被上帝赐予非凡智慧的所罗门王（列王纪上 3:5-9）。上帝告诉他，在他之前和之后都无人比他更有智慧（12节）。箴言书中有如此多受神启发的箴言，都因上帝恩赐所罗门独特的智慧。所以，认真聆听其中能改变人生命的话语至关重要。上帝在圣经中赐予我们的智慧，只是祂赐予我们的众多恩典中的一种。祂还赐下圣灵住在我们里面，帮助我们认识并体验我们迫切需要的安全与帮助。
今日灵修 我们已经开了十五个小时的车，深夜时分，龙卷风警报突然响起，让我们警觉起来。警报提醒我们应立即寻找庇护所。仿佛就在这一刻，闪电划破长空，狂风拍打着我们的车窗。我们飞速驶下高速公路，停在一栋混凝土酒店大楼附近。我们冲进楼内，庆幸找到了避难所。
困境提醒我们需要一个安全的栖身之所。箴言18:10说：“耶和华的名是坚固台，义人奔入，便得安稳。” 神学家告诉我们，“耶和华的名”一词涵盖了上帝的全部。上帝的一切属性都为我们提供了安全感，让我们可以躲藏在祂里面。因为上帝是仁慈的，祂欢迎我们。因为祂是良善的，祂聆听我们的声音。因为他是爱，所以他体恤我们。
但上帝不仅仅是我们应对问题的一种方式。上帝远远超越一个权宜之计，或用来转移注意力。投靠上帝，是指选择他的帮助，而不是为了任何其他目的。我们可以在祷告中奔向他，可以默想圣经，或在重压下和焦虑中顺服圣灵。年复一年，这些习惯会让我们一生都依赖那位我们真正的避难所。
反思与祷告 为什么你会选择依靠自己而不是寻求上帝的帮助？当你面对人生的风雨时，上帝的哪种特质最能安慰你？
感谢上帝，您是我的避难所。请帮助我在每一次挣扎中都转向您。 作者：詹妮弗·本森·舒尔特