2016年2月15日
寡婦的選擇 A Widow's Choice
读经: 詩篇34篇15-22節
Reading: Psalm 34:15-22
耶和華靠近傷心的人。-詩篇34篇18節
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.- Psalm 34:18
全年读经: 利未記17-18章;馬太福音27章27-50節
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 17–18; Matthew 27:27-50
好友的丈夫因心臟病發作而驟然逝世，我們都和她一同哀傷。身為一位心理諮商師，她曾經安慰過許多人。結婚四十年，如今她得面對每天工作結束後，回到那空蕩的屋子。
在哀傷中，她仍然仰望耶和華，因祂「靠近傷心的人」。上帝與她一同走過傷痛，她說，她願意稱自己為寡婦，因為這是上帝給她的一個新身分。
哀傷的感受唯有自己能體會，每個人表達哀傷的方式不同。雖然她已接受丈夫離開的事實，卻不能減少她的傷痛，也無法改變家裡空洞的氛圍。然而，這卻提醒我們：即便在極其哀傷之中，我們依然可以信靠至高、慈愛的上帝。
我們的天父和祂的獨生愛子分離時，祂也承受著莫大的痛苦。耶穌也是一樣，當祂被釘在十字架上，祂大聲喊著說：「我的上帝！我的上帝！為什麼離棄我？」（馬太福音27章46節） 祂因著對我們的愛，擔當我們的罪，忍受身體的疼痛，並且與上帝分離！
祂體會我們的傷痛！我們能得著心靈安慰，因「耶和華靠近傷心的人」 （詩篇34篇18節） 。祂就在身邊。
親愛的天父，當我們因為至親過世而哀傷，
求祢幫助我們能更倚靠祢，信靠祢的慈愛與良善。
感謝祢，因祢靠近每一顆破碎的心。
上帝與我們一起哀痛。
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When a good friend suddenly lost her husband to a heart attack, we grieved with her. As a counselor, she had comforted many others. Now, after 40 years of marriage, she faced the unwelcome prospect of returning to an empty house at the end of each day.
In the midst of her grief, our friend leaned on the One who "is close to the brokenhearted." As God walked with her through her pain, she told us she would choose to "wear the label widow proudly," because she felt it was the label God had given her.
God is always close to broken hearts.
All grief is personal, and others may grieve differently than she does. Her response doesn't diminish her grief or make her home less empty. Yet it reminds us that even in the midst of our worst sorrows, our sovereign and loving God can be trusted.
Our heavenly Father suffered a profound separation of His own. As Jesus hung on the cross He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46). Yet He endured the pain and separation of crucifixion for our sins out of love for us!
He understands! And because "the Lord is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps. 34:18), we find the comfort we need. He is near.
Dear heavenly Father, as we think about the sadness that comes from the death of a loved one, help us to cling to You and trust Your love and goodness. Thank You for being close to our broken hearts.
God shares in our sorrow.