If Only We Could . . .需要力量
Dexu Xia
If Only We Could . . .
The Lord is the strength of his people. Psalm 28:8
The weeping Alaskan cedar tree whipped from side to side in the storm’s strong winds. Regie loved the tree that had not only provided shelter from the summer sun but also given her family privacy. Now the fierce storm was tearing the roots from the ground. Quickly, Regie, with her fifteen-year-old son in tow, ran to try to rescue the tree. With her hands and ninety-pound frame firmly planted against it, she and her son tried to keep it from falling over. But they weren’t strong enough.
God was King David’s strength when he called out to Him in another kind of storm (Psalm 28:8). Some commentators say he wrote this during a time when his world was falling apart. His own son rose in rebellion against him and tried to take the throne (2 Samuel 15). He felt so vulnerable and weak that he feared God might remain silent, and he would die (Psalm 28:1). “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help,” he said to God (v. 2). God gave David strength to go on, even though his relationship with his son never mended.
How we long to prevent bad things from happening! If only we could. But in our weakness, God promises we can always call to Him to be our Rock (vv. 1–2). When we don’t have the strength, He’s our shepherd and will carry us forever (vv. 8–9).
When have you felt vulnerable and unable to fix a situation? How did you see God come through for you?
It seems there’s always something for which I need extra strength from You, O God. Help me to remember that without You I can do nothing.
需要力量
耶和华是祂百姓的力量。—诗篇28篇8节
芮琪家前面的阿拉斯加雪松在暴风雨的强风中左摇右晃。芮琪很喜欢这棵树，它不仅为她的家人遮蔽夏日的阳光，也给予他们隐私空间。眼看着猛烈的暴风雨正要将这棵树连根拔起，芮琪立刻拖着她15岁的儿子飞奔过去，试图营救它。芮琪用自己的双手和瘦小的身躯，与儿子一同努力不让树倒下。但可惜的是，他们的力量都不足够，最后大树还是砰然倒下。
上帝是大卫王的力量，大卫也在另一种形式的暴风雨中向上帝呼求（诗篇28篇8节）。有些圣经学者认为，大卫在写下这首诗时，他的人生正四分五裂。他的亲生儿子起来谋反，试图篡夺王位（撒母耳记下15章）。大卫深感自己软弱无力，以致于他害怕上帝会保持沉默，而自己就会绝望而死（诗篇28篇1节）。大卫向上帝说：“我呼求祢，向祢至圣所举手的时候，求祢垂听我恳求的声音！”（2节）虽然大卫与他儿子之间的关系从未修复，上帝仍赐给他力量继续前行。
如果可以，我们多么希望能阻止坏事发生！尽管我们是软弱无力，但上帝已经应许，我们随时都可以向祂呼求，让祂成为我们的磐石（1-2节）。当我们需要力量时，上帝就是我们的牧者，祂会永远扶持我们（8-9节）。
你曾在何时自觉软弱无法解决困难？
上帝如何为你而介入呢？
上帝啊，似乎总有一些事会让我需要祢特别加添力量。
帮助我记得，离了祢，我就不能做什么。