【双语灵修】力量与勇气STRENGTH AND COURAGE

「『你不要怕他们，因那为你争战的是耶和华你的神。』」-申 3:22

我没有遇过有任何人一生都未曾试过害怕某些事情或人物的。你有没有经历过因为疾病诊断结果、受到伤害、被有权势的人恐吓、或从一个舒适安全的地方迁往一个可能不欢迎你，甚至危险的地方，令你感到害怕呢？你会不会害怕渐渐老去、或年老时孤身一人、又或者失去你曾努力得来的能力或事物呢？你曾否害怕失去至爱的人，甚至你自己的生命？

当我们感到害怕时，最能帮助我们的，是去回顾神曾怎样显明祂的慈爱、看顾和能力。我们可以信靠信实的主，我们不需要害怕（诗篇 27:1）。

当心怀敌意的君王和他们的军队威吓以色列民时，摩西要面对他自己的恐惧（参看申命记 2:24-3:11）。然而神告诉他不用害怕，因为神会打败他们的敌人。当以色列民渡过约但河时，神告诉摩西要鼓励和加力给约书亚，好叫他也信靠神，不要倚赖自己的能力，也不要害怕其他邦国。

我们可以单靠自己的力量来面对恐惧，也可以听从神的指引。当圣灵叮嘱我们或告诉我们要安静时，我们应当服从。神在背后支持我们，祂必赐我们力量和勇气，叫我们站立得稳。主必定常与我们同在，和时常看顾我们的。

祷告

主啊，感谢祢，我不用独自一人面对恐惧。我相信祢必定会赐我力量和勇气，叫我站立得稳。奉耶稣名祈求。阿们。

申命记 3:21-28

那时我吩咐约书亚说：『你亲眼看见了耶和华你神向这二王所行的，耶和华也必向你所要去的各国照样行。你不要怕他们，因那为你争战的是耶和华你的神。』

「那时我恳求耶和华说：『主耶和华啊，你已将你的大力大能显给仆人看。在天上，在地下，有什么神能像你行事，像你有大能的作为呢？求你容我过去，看约旦河那边的美地，就是那佳美的山地和黎巴嫩。』但耶和华因你们的缘故向我发怒，

不应允我，对我说：『罢了，你不要向我再提这事。你且上毗斯迦山顶去，向东、西、南、北举目观望，因为你必不能过这约旦河。你却要嘱咐约书亚，勉励他，使他胆壮，因为他必在这百姓前面过去，使他们承受你所要观看之地。』

STRENGTH AND COURAGE

“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”       —Deuteronomy 3:22

I do not know of anyone who has not been afraid of something or someone at some time in their life. Have you experienced the fear of a medical diagnosis, or of being harmed, or of being threatened by someone in authority, or of moving from a place of comfort and safety to a place that could be unwelcoming or even dangerous? Have you feared growing old, or being alone in old age, or perhaps losing your abilities or something you have worked for? Have you been afraid of losing loved ones or even your own life?

When we are afraid, it can be helpful to recall times when God demonstrated his love, care, and power. We can trust in the Lord, who is faithful. We do not have to be afraid (Psalm 27:1).

Moses faced his own fears when hostile kings and their armies threatened the people of Israel (see Deuteronomy 2:24-3:11). But God told him not to be afraid because God would defeat their enemies. God told Moses to encourage and strengthen Joshua so that he too would trust God and not rely on his own abilities or be afraid of other nations as they crossed the Jordan River.

We can face our fears on our own, or we can listen to God. We should obey when the Spirit nudges or tells us to be still. God has our back. He will give us strength and courage to stand. The Lord is always with us and will always take care of us.

Thank you, Lord, that I do not have to face my fears alone. I will trust you to give me strength and courage to stand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.