The good news is that God cares for us!

好消息就是上帝顾念我们！

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.Isaiah 40:11

祂必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。-以赛亚书40章11节

The weather outside was threatening, and the alert on my cell phone warned about the possibility of flash floods. An unusual number of cars were parked in my neighborhood as parents and others gathered to pick up children at the school bus drop-off point. By the time the bus arrived, it had started to rain. That’s when I observed a woman exit her car and retrieve an umbrella from the trunk. She walked towards a little girl and made sure the child was shielded from the rain until they returned to the vehicle. What a beautiful “real time” picture of parental, protective care that reminded me of the care of our heavenly Father.

天气越来越恶劣，手机也传来警讯，警告大家将可能有洪水爆发。在我家附近学生上下校车的地方，出现了很多的车辆，许多家长都来接孩子。校车到站的时候，已经开始下雨了。我看见一位女士下了车，从后车厢拿伞去接一个小女孩，小心翼翼地保护她不被淋湿，直到她安全上车。眼前的这一幕，正是父母保护照顾子女最美丽的写照，这也让我想起，天父对我们无微不至的看顾。

The prophet Isaiah forecast punishment for disobedience followed by brighter days for God’s people (Isaiah 40:1–8). The heavenly dispatch from the mountain (v. 9) assured the Israelites of God’s mighty presence and tender care. The good news, then and now, is that because of God’s power and ruling authority, anxious hearts need not fear (vv. 9–10). Included in the announcement was news about the Lord’s protection, the kind of protection shepherds provide (v. 11): vulnerable young sheep would find safety in the Shepherd’s arms; nursing ewes would be led gently.

先知以赛亚向上帝的百姓宣告，他们将因自己的悖逆受罚，但此后将展开美好的年日（以赛亚书40章1-8节）。那传好消息的从山上大声宣告（9节），向以色列民传扬上帝大能的降临，必悉心看顾祂的子民。这好消息就是不论当时或现在，因着上帝的大能及统治的权柄，惊恐的众民都不必惧怕（9-10节）。这好消息也宣告了上帝的保护，如同牧羊人保护羊群（11节）：牧人必将稚嫩脆弱的羊羔稳抱怀中，也慢慢引导那乳养羊羔的母羊。

In a world where circumstances aren’t always easy, such images of safety and care compel us to look confidently to the Lord. Those who trust wholeheartedly in the Lord find security and renewed strength in Him (v. 31). 

我们在生活中时常会面对各样艰难，但这些得着安稳和照顾的画面，能激励我们信靠仰望上帝。全心全意信靠上帝的人，必能在祂里面得着平安，且从新得力（31节）。

Father, in a world where we are sometimes threatened, we are comforted because of Your gracious care for us—in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

亲爱的天父，我们生活在这个时有危险的世上，但祢藉着主耶稣基督，使我们得享祢慈爱的眷顾，让我们的心不再害怕惊慌。

Isaiah 40:9-11    NIV

40 You who bring good news to Zion,go up on a high mountain.You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,lift it up, do not be afraid;say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm.See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

以赛亚书 40:9-11 

40 报好信息给锡安的啊，你要登高山！报好信息给耶路撒冷的啊，你要极力扬声！扬声不要惧怕，对犹大的城邑说：“看哪，你们的神！” 10 主耶和华必像大能者临到，他的膀臂必为他掌权。他的赏赐在他那里，他的报应在他面前。 11 他必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。

INSIGHT

灵粮透视

We also see the shepherd imagery in the New Testament when Jesus is described as our Good Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11) and “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep” (vv. 14–15). Just as a shepherd watched over, provided for, and protected his sheep against danger and death and even pursued them when lost (Psalm 23:1–3; Luke 15:4), Jesus laid down His life for our sins and then rose again so that we would have the opportunity to live forever with Him (John 3:16). By doing so, He freed all who receive Him as Savior from the clutches of our enemy, Satan, and from eternal misery. And in this life, our Shepherd leads and guides us along the way. We need not fear, for He is with us (Psalm 23:4). He loves us and knows us (John 10:14–15).

在新约圣经，耶稣称自己为我们的好牧人，我们也看到了这样形象化的描述。祂说：“我是好牧人，好牧人为羊舍命”（约翰福音10章11节），祂还说：“我是好牧人，我认识我的羊，我的羊也认识我。正如父认识我，我也认识父一样，并且我为羊舍命”（14-15节）。牧人会看顾、喂养，并保护他的羊群免遭危险和死亡，甚至把迷失的羊找回来（诗篇23篇1-3节；路加福音15章4节）；耶稣也为了我们的罪牺牲了生命，祂也从死里复活，好叫我们能永远与祂同住（约翰福音3章16节）。耶稣藉着祂的牺牲和复活，释放了所有接受祂为救主的人，将他们从仇敌撒但的魔掌中拯救出来，并脱离永远的苦难。在今生，我们的好牧人耶稣会一路带领、引领我们。我们不需要害怕，因为祂会与我们同在（诗篇23篇4节），而且祂深爱我们、认识我们（约翰福音10章14-15节）。

In what area of your life do you need the comfort of the Good Shepherd?

在你的生活中，有什么正需要好牧人的安慰呢？

整理：于姊妹