【双语灵修】信靠的羊

诗篇 23:1

耶和华是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。

7月4日

信靠的羊

“……我必不致缺乏。” -诗 23:1

这是诗篇的作者一个大胆的声明：”我必不致缺乏。”这也是你能作的声明吗？

这篇是大卫王所写的诗篇，所以我们可能会这样想：”身为君王，说他不致缺乏，当然容易啦！”（大卫的故事记载在《撒母耳记上》第十六章至《列王记上》》二章。）大卫并不是生于帝王之家，而且他有时也会经历很多缺乏和危险。他对羊儿也非常熟识，因为他年少时曾经做过牧羊人。他甚至亲身体验过和明白流浪的日子是怎样的，因为他有时需要从引往苦难的道路上被拉回来。

这里，大卫不是说他拥有足够的东西，他乃是在证明自己多么深信主会引领他行在正路上，并且一路供应他的所需。我想象到大卫正在回顾：当他身陷险境时，神怎样为他提供朋友、同盟；在他最需要的时候，提供他灵命的关顾。当大卫的生命危在旦夕时，这都是事实。而当他因为夺了别人的妻子（撒母耳记下11-12），以致他的灵性陷入危机时，这也是事实。

大卫宣告他的牧者耶和华是配得他的信靠的，他如此大胆地宣告，是因为主从来没有令他失望过。

你与牧者同行时，祂曾以甚么方式供应你的需要呢？

祷告

好牧羊人啊，感谢祢时刻的慈爱看顾。求祢在我心里种下深切的信靠，信靠祢的供应。阿们。

Psalm 23:1

FRIDAY, JULY 4

TRUSTING SHEEP

. . . I lack nothing. —Psalm 23:1

This is a bold statement for the psalm writer to make: “I lack nothing.” Is this a statement that you can make too?

This psalm is attributed to King David, so we might think, “It’s easy for a king to say that he lacks nothing!” (David’s story is found in 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2.) David wasn’t born into royalty, and he sometimes experienced a great deal of want and danger. He was also well acquainted with sheep because he was a shepherd when he was young. He even understood wandering firsthand because at times he had to be drawn back from paths that would lead to misery.

David is not writing here about having enough stuff. He is testifying to how deeply he trusts the Lord to guide him onto the right paths and to provide for him along the way. I imagine David recalling times when he was in danger and how God provided him with friends, allies, and spiritual care when he needed these things most. This was true when David’s life was in danger. It was also true when his very soul was in peril because he stole another man’s wife (2 Samuel 11-12).

David declares that the Lord his shepherd is worthy of his trust, and he does this with boldness because the Lord has never let him down.

In what ways has the shepherd provided for you in your journey with him?

Thank you, Good Shepherd, for your constant, loving care. Grow in me a deepening sense of trust in your provision. Amen.