by 鍾卓權牧師 (Rev. Bernie Chung)
"但摩西的手發沉，他們就搬石頭來，放在他以下，他就坐在上面。亞倫與戶珥扶著他的手，一個在這邊，一個在那邊，他的手就穩住，直到日落的時候。" [ 出埃及記 17:12]
在新聞報導中，槍殺與藥物濫用案件， 國內政黨對峙均見增長趨勢、其他國際之間的利益紛爭: 諸如北韓與伊朗核子問題; 美墨邊界及非洲難民潮; 委內瑞拉政治分歧; 香港修訂《逃犯條例》所導致警民衝突以及各地的天災人禍，這等動盪導致人們內心沉重，再加上親人靈命得救， 身體健康諸多問題，這些都是我們在禱告會中時常紀念的事情。正在寫這牧者心聲之際，收到一則短訊，得知一位會友的父親和其同伴在中國城遇到歹徒搶劫， 被毆打受傷需送醫院治療，我必須停筆為他們的醫治及內心有平安代禱。(感恩的是他們兩位都已經出院，在家中繼續康復。)
在生命過程中我們所遭遇的動盪風暴，猶如身陷泥沼寸步難行，倘若遭此境遇會使我們心身沉淪，流著眼淚進入低谷。詩篇84:6 說：「他們經過流淚穀、叫這谷變為泉源之地．並有秋雨之福、蓋滿了全穀」。滿有憐憫的神，往往將我們隱藏在祂翅膀的蔭下，因為祂保護我們、如同保護眼中的瞳人(詩篇 17:8)，只要我們願意謙卑祈求，信心能幫助我們忍耐到底。
沉重的心情會摧毀我們的信心，我們不能長久承受這種無形的壓力，否則我們的靈命會受到傷害。當摩西的手發沉(疲乏而至沉重)的時候，是亞倫與戶珥一邊一個扶著他的手直到日落，結果才能戰勝亞瑪力人。感謝主，耶穌基督在馬太福音 11:28 安慰我們說：「凡勞苦擔重擔的人、可以到我這裏來、我就使你們得安息」。 心中沉重的人，不僅感受到生活上的壓力，在工作和教會服事上也倍感掙紮乏力。惟有來到主面前的人，把沉重的心卸下才會得著在祂裡面的真正安息。
Translation:
“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Exodus 17:12 NIV
Gun violence and drug abuse cases are commonly reported in the news. There are escalations of fight and dispute between the political parties in the United States, and international tension caused by nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran is unabated as well. There are refugee problems at the US-Mexican border, as well as at the African continent. Venezuelan political instability and Hong Kong’s protests on fugitive extradition policy are some of the man-made disasters that have caused high anxiety in people’s hearts. Our concerns for the spiritual and physical well-being of our loved ones are burdens we must also bear. These things mentioned above we often bring and commemorate in prayer meetings. While writing this pastor's page, I received a text message that a church member’s father and his companion were robbed by a gangster in Chinatown. They were beaten and injured and needed to be sent to a hospital for treatment. I stopped my writing and prayed for the victims’ recovery and peace in their hearts. (We are grateful that both of them have been discharged from the hospital and continue their recovery at home.)
In life we often encounter turbulent storms that make us feel like being trapped in muddy ground that impedes our progress. We may feel so down-trodden that it feels as if we have entered a dark valley in tears. Psalm 84:6 says: “As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools”. As in Psalm 17:8, our merciful God keeps us as the apple of His eye; He hides us in the shadow of His wings. We must humble ourselves and pray so that our faith in Him will help us endure difficult circumstances.
Depression will destroy our confidence. When we succumb to this invisible pressure, our spiritual life will suffer. When Moses' hands grew tired, it was Aaron and who held his hands up until sunset and defeated the Amalekites. Thank God, Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28 comforts us and says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. People who are heavy in their hearts not only feel the pressure of life, but also feel tired and burdened in their work and ministry service at church. Only those who come to the Lord will have their heavy hearts taken away and receive the true rest in Him.
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