怜悯
多特信经指出，“我们慈爱的神已经应许，压伤的芦苇他不折断，将残的灯火他不吹灭。”这样说，是为显明神的怜悯，鼓励那些觉得自己在基督里的新生命不够好的人。凡有疑惑或感觉失败的人都不应绝望，以为他们会失去救恩。神的怜悯和恩典比我们想像的要更深。
正如罗马书 5:10指出，要牢记“我们作仇敌的时候”，就已经在基督里得了救恩，与神和好了。“神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？谁也不能。（罗 8:31-34）
在以赛亚这卷书中，神是在对一些疲惫不堪、忧心忡忡、需要盼望和鼓励的人说话。祂想让他们确信，神应许的弥赛亚定会带来改变。这和之前的一个画面相呼应：“他必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中”（赛 40:11）。
这显明了我们的本性是怎样对待那些在信仰中挣扎之人的。耶稣却怜悯那些软弱伤痛的人。如果人们有疑虑和困惑，祂就赐下确据和鼓励。怜悯不是软弱。它是恩典的大能，这一点我们都领受到了。所以，就让我们来分享神慈爱的确据吧！
主啊，求以你的怜悯加添我们力量——使我们能与他人分享这怜悯。奉我们救主的名祷告。阿们。
以赛亚书 42:1-9
1“看哪，我的仆人，我所扶持、所拣选，心里所喜悦的，我已将我的灵赐给他，他必将公理传给外邦。
2他不喧嚷，不扬声，也不使街上听见他的声音。
3压伤的芦苇他不折断，将残的灯火他不吹灭，他凭真实将公理传开。
4他不灰心，也不丧胆，直到他在地上设立公理，海岛都等候他的训诲。”
5创造诸天，铺张穹苍，将地和地所出的一并铺开，赐气息给地上的众人，又赐灵性给行在其上之人的神耶和华，他如此说：
6“我耶和华凭公义召你，必搀扶你的手，保守你，使你做众民的中保，做外邦人的光，
7开瞎子的眼，领被囚的出牢狱，领坐黑暗的出监牢。
8我是耶和华，这是我的名。我必不将我的荣耀归给假神，也不将我的称赞归给雕刻的偶像。
9看哪，先前的事已经成就，现在我将新事说明，这事未发以先，我就说给你们听。”
Compassion
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” — Isaiah 42:3
The Canons of Dort note that “our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.” It says this to show God’s compassion and to encourage anyone who feels they are not doing very well in the new life they have in Christ. Anyone who is dealing with doubts or feeling like a failure should not despair and think they might lose their salvation. God’s mercy and grace go deeper than we could imagine.
Remember always, as Romans 5:10 points out, that we were reconciled to God and saved in Christ “while we were God’s enemies.” And “if God is for us, who can be against us?... Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?... No one” (Romans 8:31-34).
In the book of Isaiah, God is speaking to a worn-out, distressed people who need hope and encouragement. He wants to assure them of a change coming with the promised Messiah. This echoes an earlier image: “He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (Isaiah 40:11).
This shows what our nature must be toward anyone who is struggling in faith. Jesus had compassion for the weak and hurting. And if people had doubts and confusion, he gave assurance and encouragement. Compassion isn’t a weakness. It’s the power of grace that we too have received. So let’s share the assurance of God’s love!
Lord, empower us with your compassion and mercy—to share it with others. In the Savior’s name we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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