2月27日

標　　題： 牧者的安慰

經　　節： 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。（詩篇廿三篇4節）

作神的兒女永遠不會孤單！你的牧人永遠與你同在。你永遠不需要找祂來看看自己的處境，你永遠不需要質疑祂在何方，你永遠不需要害怕事情變得無法收拾，最後祂離棄你而去。祂走在你的前頭，祂與你同行，祂在你的背後，祂在你前後環繞保護你。正如同祂看顧每只麻雀一樣，你每根頭髮都被祂數過，祂對你的看顧是永不間斷的（路加福音十二：6∼7）。即使你覺得看不見祂，祂總是看顧你。當你憂傷痛苦時，祂會安慰你，讓你強烈感受到祂的同在。祂領你經過死蔭幽谷。然而，祂可能不會照你的希望，帶領你繞道而行。有時候，你的牧人知道死蔭幽谷是惟一的道路，能領你到達祂要你去的地方。在這些人生死蔭幽谷中，祂會緊緊地與你同行，一路不斷地向你保證祂的同在與同行。你永遠不需要懼怕邪惡。邪惡可能會威脅你，但你所面對的事沒有一件能威脅你的牧人。祂早已知道所有邪惡的事，並且已經大大戰勝一切的邪惡。邪惡的勢力不會令祂驚恐。你的牧人總是預備妥當，祂清楚知道你在哪個時候、在甚麼地方會遭遇困境。把你的信心完全創建在你的好牧人身上。祂會保護你，在你行過死蔭幽谷之時，祂以大愛環繞你。

Comfort from the Shepherd

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4)

As a child of God you are never alone! Your Shepherd is with you at all times. You never have to call Him in to your situation. You never have to wonder where He is. You never have to fear that if things become too difficult, He will abandon you. He goes before you; He walks beside you; He comes behind you. He protects you securely. Just as He sees every sparrow and knows every hair that is on your head, so His gaze is constantly upon you (Luke 12:6–7). Even when you cannot see Him, He always keeps His eyes upon you. He comforts you with His strong presence in times of sorrow and grief. He leads you through the valley of the shadow of death. He does not necessarily lead you around the valley as you might wish. There are times when your Shepherd knows that the only way to get you where He wants to take you is to lead you down the path that passes through the dark valley. Yet, at those times He walks closely with you, reassuring you throughout the journey that He still loves you and is with you. It is during those times that you experience His love and compassion in a deeper dimension than you ever have before.

You never need to fear evil. As intimidating as evil can be, there is nothing you will ever face that intimidates your Shepherd. He has seen it all and soundly defeated every form of wickedness. Evil never catches Him by surprise. Your Shepherd is always prepared and knows exactly when and where you will experience difficulty. Place your absolute trust in your Good Shepherd that He will protect you and demonstrate His love for you through the darkest valley.