0309- Hard-pressed and Afflicted 四面受敌和遭受苦难 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9(NKJV) We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

The Apostle Paul talked about being hard-pressed on every side, yet NOT CRUSHED, perplexed BUT NOT IN DESPAIR, persecuted for their faith BUT NOT FORSAKEN, and struck down BUT NOT DESTROYED. It is good to take note of the word “BUT” because it shows a change in direction or situation.

The word “but” in this situation gives us hope and strength while waiting for the turn around. There will be a process before the situation changes or for the breakthrough to come forth. It is a testimony of the faithfulness of God who promised never to leave nor forsake His people. While we might not be able to prevent persecutions, tribulations, criticisms or being cast down from happening in our lives, we can be assured of the presence of God during the entire process. There is the grace and the inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to sustain us.

Hard- Pressed/Afflicted (Strong’s Concordance 2346) thlibó from thláo = means to crush or squash, to distress, to oppress, to harass, to treat with hostility.

The Scripture tells us that we can be hard-pressed or afflicted but not crushed. For example, during economically difficult times, there are techniques used to make things difficult for some employees to cause them to quit without having to pay them any compensation. It could be in the form of intentionally sidelining someone or treating them with disfavor. The employee will feel hard-pressed, like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. However, in such situations there is a ‘cushioning’ between you, the rock and the hard place. It is God’s grace which is the intrinsic and inherent power that sustains you in these difficult situations. There is peace in your heart and mind as you keep your mind steadfast on Him.

God heard the cries of the Israelites and raised up Moses to deliver the them from the affliction that they faced in Egypt. Likewise, God hears our cries of affliction through our prayers therefore He will deliver us out of our situations (Psalm 34: 6, 17) He is the God of all flesh and there is nothing too difficult for Him. He is the same God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites when they were caught between the Egyptians who were pursuing them and the Red Sea. He will make a way for us. The Scriptures also say that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34: 19 NKJV). No weapon formed against us shall prosper and every word that rises up against us we shall condemn because this is the heritage of God’s servant. We believe that whom God has blessed, no one can curse. God has called us to be the head and not the tail. He has called us to be on top of the situation and not beneath it. When we believe in God’s power, then all things are possible.

Sermon Series:  I Believe Therefore I Speak

四面受敌和遭受苦难 

哥林多后书 4:8-9 我们四面受敌,却不被困住;心里作难,却不至失望;遭逼迫,却不被丢弃;打倒了,却不至死亡。 

使徒保罗谈到四面受敌,却不被困住,心里作难,却不至失望,遭逼迫,却不被丢弃,打倒了,却不至死亡。请注意 “” 这个词,因它显示了方向上或情境上的改变或转折。 

当我们在这此情境下等待转机时,“”这个词带给了我们盼望和力量。在情境发生改变或出现突破之前,将会有一个过程。这是 神的信实的见证, 因 祂曾应许必不撇下也不丢弃 祂的子民。虽然我们可能无法阻止逼迫、苦难、批判或沮丧发生在我们的生命里,但我们可以确信在整个过程中 必有 神 的同在。圣灵的恩典和赋予我们的内在力量将刚强我们的心并支撑着我们。 

四面受敌/遭受苦难 (史特朗/Strong 之经文汇编 2346) thlibó 来源于 thláo = 意思是压垮或压碎,使之忧伤痛苦,压制/压迫,侵扰,以敌意对待。 

圣经告诉我们,我们可能会四面受敌或遭受苦难,却不被困住或被压垮。譬如,在经济困难时期,有些裁员手段被用来刁难员工,迫使他们主动辞职而不需要支付任何经济补偿。手段也许是蓄意排挤某个人使他边缘化或使他不受待见。这位员工将感到四面受敌,仿佛被困在岩石和硬地之间。然而,在这种情况下,在你与岩石和硬地之间有一个“缓冲”。这就是 神的恩典,成为你实在和固有的力量在你里面支撑着你度过这困难时期。当你注目仰望 神,平安就会充满你的心怀意念。 

神 听见了以色列民的哀声,就兴起摩西,要救他们脱离在埃及所受的苦难。同样地,通过我们的祷告,神 听见我们在苦难中的呼求,因此 祂必救我们脱离困境 (诗篇 34:6,17)。祂是凡有血气者的 神,在 祂没有难成的事。 祂 是那位当以色列民被困在红海埃及追兵之间时,为他们分开红海的同一位神。祂 将为我们开路。圣经上也说:“义人多有苦难,但耶和华救他脱离这一切” (诗篇 34:19)。凡为攻击我们造成的器械必不利用,凡在审判时兴起用舌攻击我们的,我们必定他为有罪,因为这是耶和华仆人的产业。我们相信凡 神所祝福的,无人能咒诅。神呼召我们,要使我们作首不作尾,胜过环境并居在其上而不居在其下。当我们相信 神的大能,凡事就有可能。 

讲章系列:我因信,所以如此说话