從大水中拉上來 Out of Deep waters

「他 從 高 天 伸 手 抓 住 我 ， 把 我 從 大 水 中 拉 上 來 。」(撒下 22:17)

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;    he drew me out of deep waters.” 2 Samuel 22:17

如耶穌基督將彼得從驚濤駭浪拉上來 (太14:22-33)，我想像神從天上伸出膀臂、穿越冰冷的水面、達到海的深處。祂穩握着我的手臂，帶我脫離險境。主充滿榮耀和權能，用溫柔並堅定的聲音責備我的小信，但照樣以愛和溫暖圍繞我。

Just as Jesus pulled Peter out of the raging sea and delivered him to safety (Matthew 14:22-33), I imagine God’s outstretched arm reaching down from heaven, through the icy cold, turbulent waters, extending far beyond sea level. He lifts me out of the depth by my wrist, and draws me out of misery. With authority and glory, He rebukes me for my little faith, but He loves me and embraces me the same.

在聖經中，海常常用來表達無秩序、雜亂無章之地（Bible Hub）。啟示錄21:1記載到在基督再來時「海也不再有了」。這意味着我們不再被混亂和敗壞所纏繞，也再沒有傷心、懼怕和憤恨。屆時，我們因義所受的逼迫和患難將成為榮耀的記號。耶穌基督平靜風浪和行在水面上的神蹟似乎預表着祂將來的得勝，也象徵主是平定亂世、永遠的王者。

Through the Bible, the sea often symbolizes disorder and chaos (Bible Hub, n.d.). When Christ returns, “the sea [will be] no more.” (Revelations 21:1), implying tbhat we are no longer subject to lasting chaos, sorrow, and resentment. Instead, suffering and hardships for the sake of righteousness, will become a badge of honor. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him”. (2 Timothy 2:12) Jesus’ walk on water and calming of the storm foreshadows His ultimate victory, and symbolizes that His dominion extending from one  end to another.

既然苦難只限於今生，不如我們從這個角度思想：唯有在今生我們能夠從低谷嘗到主恩滋味，這種強烈對比似乎在新天新地再沒有、也不需要了。這種從醜小鴨變天鵝的經歷，現在我們得好好地把握。在苦澀中，我們更嘗到神如何熬煉人為精金，和賜下化妝的祝福。我們的本質如地底泥般爛透了，但神將人「循環再用」、潔淨並昇華，又賜我們寶貴兒女的名份。祂公開地邀請我們見證、參與和推動這項普世的搶救靈魂計劃，人人受惠。一個一個的見證現已讓我嘖嘖稱奇，更何況是將來於新天新地，從屬神眾子民口中所出排山倒海的見證，豈不更令人感動不已、歡喜雀躍？

Surely, suffering only limits to this life and why not see it this way: that by bearing the cross, we come to truly taste the goodness of God and His blessings in disguise. It becomes a season of refining, a renewal from a filthy rag to a precious jewel, It is an invitation to witness and participate in God’s global, soul-saving upcycling of mankind. It leads to the ultimate hope and glory in Him. As my heart leaps with joy upon hearing the testimonies of God’s people, what greater joy will we experience as we hear from all nations of God’s work in the new heaven and new earth!