God’s Keeping Presence 上帝一直都在

[Dexu Xia]

He is the living God . . . . He rescues and he saves. Daniel 6:26-27

Looking at my high school yearbook, my grandchildren marveled at outdated hairstyles, clothing, and “old-fashioned” cars in the photos. I saw something different—first the smiles of longtime buddies, some still friends. More than that, however, I saw the keeping power of God. His gentle presence surrounded me in a school where I struggled to fit in. His keeping goodness watched over me—a kindness He grants to all who seek Him.

Daniel knew of God’s keeping presence. In his exile in Babylon, he prayed in “his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem” (Daniel 6:10) despite the king’s decree not to do so (vv. 7-9). From his prayerful vantage point, Daniel would remember God whose keeping presence sustained him—hearing and answering his prayers. Thus, God would hear, answer, and sustain him again.

Yet, despite the new law, Daniel would still seek God’s presence regardless of what might happen to him. And so he prayed just as he had done so many times before (v. 10). While in the lions’ den, an angel of the Lord kept Daniel safe as his faithful God rescued him (v. 22).

Looking to our past during present trials may help us recall God’s faithfulness. As even King Darius said of God, “He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth” (v. 27). God was good then, and He’s good now. His presence will keep you.

What past trial tested you? How did God kindly sustain you?

Looking back, dear Father, I see Your kind sustaining presence. Thank You for keeping me now too.

祂是永存的活神，祂的国度永不败坏，祂的权柄永存无极。祂护庇人， 搭救人，在天上地下施行神迹奇事，救了但以理脱离狮子的口。（但以理书6章25-26节）

看着我的高中年鉴，我的孙子们对照片中过时的发型、衣服和“老式”汽车感到惊奇。我看到了不同的东西——首先是老朋友的笑容，有些人仍然是朋友。然而，更重要的是，我看到了上帝保守的力量。在我努力融入的学校里，他的温柔陪伴着我。他的善良守护着我——他赐予所有寻求他的人这种仁慈。

但以理知道上帝的保守。在巴比伦流亡期间，他“在楼上的房间里，窗户朝向耶路撒冷”（但以理书 6:10）祈祷，尽管国王下令不许他这样做（第 7-9 节）。

但以理开窗朝着耶稣撒冷祈祷，会使他记得上帝的保守和陪伴，这个信念支撑着他，因为上帝曾垂听并回应他的祈祷，因此，这次上帝会再次垂听、回应和支持他。尽管有新的法律，但以理仍然寻求上帝的陪伴，无论发生什么。

于是，他像以前多次祈祷一样祈祷（第 10 节）。在狮子坑中，上帝的天使保护了但以理，因为信实的上帝拯救了他（第 22 节）。

在面临试炼时回顾过去，会帮助我们想起上帝的信实。正如大流士王对上帝的评价：“他护庇人，拯救人；他在天上地下行神迹奇事”（第 27 节）。当时的上帝如此善良，现在的上帝照样善良。他一直都在保守你。

反思和祈祷：你经受住过去的试炼吗？上帝是如何在试炼中仁慈地支持你的？

亲爱的天父，当我回首过去，我看到了你仁慈的支持。谢谢你，直到今日你仍旧保守我。