God’s Faithful 上帝信实的爱

[Dexu Xia]

The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. Genesis 39:21 

Today's Scripture Genesis 39:21 -23

Today's Insights  Joseph’s plight in Egypt (Genesis 39) calls to mind the dilemma of Daniel in Babylon centuries later. Like Joseph, he was taken from his native land and found favor with the officials even in less-than-ideal circumstances. “God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel” (Daniel 1:9). The timeless Psalm 23 reminds us that as much as we desire “green pastures” and “quiet waters” (vv. 2-3), our life journeys often include seasons in “the darkest valley” and “in the presence of [our] enemies” (vv. 4-5). This psalm, as well as the examples of Joseph, Daniel, and others, reminds us that our lives must be more about the object of our faith than the location of our feet. God’s faithful love knows no boundaries. Even in our trials, we can trust Him: “Surely your goodness and [faithful] love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (v. 6 )

Today's Devotional  During our church outreach in a nursing home, an elderly resident told me of how his daughter had driven him there years before and simply left him on the sidewalk. In his wheelchair, Ed couldn’t get up to run after her. She’d returned to the car without looking back and had driven away. “We’re going to a nice hotel,” she’d said earlier. That day was the last time he saw her.  Vastly different in nature from the many loving family experiences of eldercare, this clear case of abuse traumatized Ed. He still has nightmares about that day. 

Centuries ago, a young man also suffered trauma (Genesis 37:12-36). Joseph’s brothers threw him into a cistern and sold him to traders going to Egypt. But “the Lord was with Joseph” (39:2). In an unfamiliar land, as he courageously did what was right in God’s eyes, both in his master’s house (vv. 7-10) and in prison, Joseph realized that God “showed him his faithful love” (v. 21 nlt). Despite the trauma of his past, Joseph was able to succeed in whatever he did because God helped him (v. 23). Eventually he became second-in-command to Pharaoh and raised a family of his own (41:41-52). Later, he even reconciled with his brothers (45:12-15).

People may hurt us, but God never will. Although He may help us heal in ways different from what He did for Joseph, He promises us His same faithful love. Let’s follow His leading as we trust Him to heal our hearts.

Reflect & Pray

How has God helped you through trauma? How can you trust Him to care for you?

 Dear Father, thank You for how Your love heals me. By Karen Huang

耶和华与约瑟同在，向他施展慈爱。创世记 39:21

 今日经文 创世记 39:21-23

今日感悟 约瑟在埃及的困境（创世记 39 章）让人想起几个世纪后但以理在巴比伦的处境。像约瑟一样，他被带离故土，即使在并不理想的环境下，也得到了官员的恩待。“上帝使那官员恩待但以理，怜悯他”（但以理书 1:9）。永恒的诗篇 23 篇提醒我们，尽管我们渴望“青草地”和“溪水旁”（第 2-3 节），但我们的人生旅程常常会经历“死荫的幽谷”和“在敌人面前”（第 4-5 节）。这篇诗篇以及约瑟、但以理和其他人的例子提醒我们，我们的生命更重要的是我们信仰的对象，而不是我们身处何地。上帝信实的爱没有界限。即使在苦难中，我们也可以信靠祂：“我一生一世必有恩惠慈爱随着我，我且要住在耶和华的殿中，直到永远”（第 6 节）。

今日灵修 在我们教会的一次养老院探访活动中，一位年长的居民告诉我，几年前他的女儿开车把他送到那里，然后就把他留在人行道上。坐在轮椅上的埃德无法起身追赶她。她头也不回地回到车里，开车走了。“我们要去一家不错的酒店，”她之前说过。那天是他最后一次见到她。这位老人的经历，与许多充满爱的家庭照料老人的经历截然不同，这种明显的虐待行为给埃德造成了创伤。他至今仍然会梦到那天的事情。

约在4千年前，一位年轻人也遭受了创伤（创世记 37:12-36）。约瑟的哥哥们把他扔进土坑，然后把他卖给前往埃及的商人。但“耶和华与约瑟同在”（39:2）。在异乡，约瑟勇敢行事，凡事都蒙神喜悦，无论是在主人的家中（7-10节）还是在监狱里，他都意识到神信实地“向他施展慈爱”（21节）。尽管他曾经历创伤，约瑟仍然凡事亨通，因为神帮助了他（23节）。最终，他成为法老的宰相，并有了自己的家庭（41:41-52）。后来，他甚至与兄弟们和解（45:12-15）。 人可能会伤害我们，但神永远不会。虽然祂帮助我们疗伤的方式，可能与祂帮助约瑟的方式不同，但祂应许给予我们同样信实的爱。让我们跟随祂的带领，信靠祂来医治我们的心。

 反思与祷告 上帝是如何帮助你走出创伤的？你如何信靠祂来照顾你？ 亲爱的天父，感谢祢用爱医治了我。

作者：黄凯伦