Refuge for the Rejected 投靠主
Dexu Xia
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 57:1
George Whitefield (1714–1770) was one of the most gifted and effective preachers in history, leading thousands to faith in Jesus. But his life wasn’t without controversy. His practice of preaching outdoors (to accommodate large crowds) was sometimes criticized by those who questioned his motives and felt he should speak only within the four walls of a church building. Whitefield’s epitaph sheds light on his response to others’ harsh words: “I am content to wait till the Day of Judgment for the clearing up of my character; and after I am dead, I desire no other epitaph than this, ‘Here lies George Whitefield—what sort of a man he was, the great day will discover.’ ”
In the Old Testament, when David faced harsh criticism from others, he too entrusted himself to God. When Saul falsely accused David of leading a rebellion and he was forced to hide from Saul’s approaching army in a cave, David described being “in the midst of lions,” among “men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords” (Psalm 57:4). But even in that difficult place, he turned to God and found comfort in Him: “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies” (v. 10).
When others misunderstand or reject us, God is our “refuge” (v. 1). May He be forever praised for His unfailing and merciful love!
How does dwelling on God’s mercy help you when you’re discouraged? How can you demonstrate His love to another?
Abba Father, I praise You that I can be accepted by You forever because of Your Son. I take refuge in Your perfect love today.
上帝啊，求祢怜悯我，怜悯我！因为我的心投靠祢。—诗篇57篇1节
乔治 · 怀特菲尔德（George Whitefield，1714-1770年）是历史上极具天赋和影响力的布道家，带领成千上万的人归向基督。但是他的一生并非毫无争议。例如，他为了可以有更多的听众而在户外讲道，有时会被人批评。这些人质疑他的动机不单纯，认为他应该安分地在教堂内讲道就好。但怀特菲尔德的墓志铭可以让我们看到他对这些批评的回应：“我会耐心地等候审判之日来证实我的为人。我辞世以后，墓志铭只要写下：‘乔治 · 怀特菲尔德长眠于此，他在世为人如何，到审判之日即见真章。’”
在旧约圣经，大卫面对其他人的批评时，也是将自己交托给上帝。扫罗诬陷大卫谋反，使大卫被迫躲在洞穴中，逃避扫罗步步进逼的军队。大卫形容自己的“性命在狮子中间”，“他们的牙齿是枪、箭；他们的舌头是快刀”（诗篇57篇4节）。但即使在这样艰苦的处境中，他仍转向上帝，并从上帝那里得着安慰，他说：“因为祢的慈爱高及诸天；祢的诚实达到穹苍。”（10节）
在面对他人的误解或拒绝时，我们可以“投靠”上帝（1节）。愿上帝永恒的怜悯与慈爱，得着永远的称颂！
思想上帝的怜悯，如何帮助你面对挫败沮丧？
你如何向其他人展现出上帝的爱？
阿爸天父，我赞美祢，
因着祢的儿子耶稣基督，我能永远蒙祢接纳。
今日我要投靠在祢完全的爱中