2016年1月10日
真正的避難所 True Shelter
读经: 約書亞記20章1-9節
Reading: Isaiah 20:1-9
耶和華的名是堅固台，義人奔入，便得安穩。-箴言18章10節
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.- Proverbs 18:10
全年读经: 創世記25-26章;馬太福音8章1-17節
Bible in a Year: Genesis 25–26; Matthew 8: 1-17
在2014年3月，我的家鄉發生一場種族衝突，逼得我父親一家必須和其他難民一同逃往首都避難。綜觀歷史，人常常因為家鄉的動盪不安而離鄉背井，前往他處尋求安全和穩定的生活。
當我探訪一些同鄉時，想起了約書亞記20章1-9節提到的逃城。這些逃城為那些無心而誤殺人者，提供一個安全的避難處，好躲避「報血仇之人」 （3節） 。逃城為他們提供了安全和保護。
今日人們也會因為各種不同的理由尋找避難所，但這些避難所除了提供庇護和食物之外，無法完全滿足逃難者的需要。真正的安穩來自上帝。與上帝同行的人，可以在祂那裡找到真正的庇蔭和最安全的保護。當古以色列人流亡列國的時候，上帝說：「我還要在他們所到的列邦，暫作他們的聖所。」（以西結書11章16節）
因此，我們可以和詩人一樣滿懷信心地對上帝說：「祢是我藏身之處，祢必保佑我脫離苦難，以得救的樂歌四面環繞我。」（詩篇32篇7節）
天父，感謝祢成為我們的避難所，不論我們身處何處，
面對何種景況，祢都與我們同在。
求祢幫助我們記得，即使在最黑暗的深夜裡，
祢依然是我們强而有力的高台。
上帝親手護衛的，永不動搖。
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In March 2014 a tribal conflict broke out in my hometown area, forcing my father's household, along with other refugees, to take cover in the region's capital city. Throughout history, people who have felt unsafe in their homelands have traveled to other places searching for safety and something better.
As I visited and talked with people from my hometown, I thought of the cities of refuge in Joshua 20:1-9. These were cities designated as places of safety for those fleeing from "relatives seeking revenge" in the case of an accidental killing (v. 3 nlt). They offered peace and protection.
People today still seek places of refuge, although for a variety of reasons. But as needed as these sanctuaries are, supplying shelter and food, they cannot completely meet the needs of refugees and fugitives. That rest is found only in God. Those who walk with God find true shelter and the safest protection in Him. When ancient Israel was sent into exile, the Lord said, "I have been a sanctuary [safe haven] for them in the countries where they have gone" (Ezek. 11:16).
With the psalmist, we can say confidently to the Lord, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance" (32:7).
Father, thank You for being a rock to which we can flee and that no matter where we are or in what circumstances we find ourselves, You are there with us. Help us to remember that even in the darkest of nights, You are our strong tower.
Nothing can shake those who are secure in God's hands.