六月十七日
耶和华啊，求你帮助……（诗12：1）
这个祷告是很特殊的，因爲非常简短，但这个祷告却是很合时，很生动，幷且很能提醒人。大卫因爲世上的忠信人太少而伤感起来，当人靠不住的时候，他便投靠造物主。他也感到自己的软弱，否则他便不会求神帮助了；同时他自己也愿意爲真理努力，否则要“帮助”作什麽用。这几个字可以叫我们看出他的知觉是直截了当而判然分明的，他的说法是很清晰洒脱的，比那嘴唇上敬畏之人的冗长的祷词有意义得多了。诗人的祷告幷不兜圈子，他乃是开门见山，直接把他经过周密考虑的祷告陈到神面前；他知道他所求的是什麽，幷知道到那里求。有很多时候我们用得着这个祷告。在神所允准的苦难中，受苦的信徒找不到什麽帮助的时候，这个祷告是多麽合适呀！
研究主道的人在道理上有什麽困难时，向圣灵，我们的大教师这样呼求说“耶和华啊，求你帮助”，就必得到指教。属灵的战士心中若有什麽争战也可以到宝座那里这样祷告。从事天工的人在缺乏的时候也能因此得到恩典。在疑惑和恐惧之中的罪人，若用这祷词也必找到他们所要寻求的。事实上，无论何事、何时、何地，这个祷告都能帮助一切有缺乏的人。活着或将死的人、受苦或劳苦的人、快乐和忧伤的人都能这样祷告说：“耶和华啊，求你帮助”。他是我们的帮助，我们要常呼求他，切不要疏忽懈怠。我们的祷告若奉耶稣的名献上，神就必答应。他的神性就是保证。
“不要怕，我必帮助你”，便是他可靠的应许。
June
17
“Help,
Lord.” — Psalm 12:1
The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is
short, but seasonable, sententious, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness
of faithful men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication–when the
creature failed, he flew to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness, or
he would not have cried for help; but at the same time he intended honestly to
exert himself for the cause of truth, for the word “help” is
inapplicable where we ourselves do nothing. There is much of directness,
clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two
words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain
professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a
well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it.
Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.
The occasions for the use of this prayer
are frequent. In providential afflictions how suitable it is for tried
believers who find all helpers failing them. Students, in doctrinal difficulties,
may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of “Help, Lord,” to the
Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send
to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request.
Workers in heavenly labour may thus obtain grace in time of need. Seeking
sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication; in
fact, in all these cases, times, and places, this will serve the turn of needy
souls. “Help, Lord,” will suit us living and dying, suffering or
labouring, rejoicing or sorrowing. In Him our help is found, let us not be
slack to cry to Him.
The answer to the prayer is certain, if it be sincerely offered through
Jesus. The Lord’s character assures us that He will not leave His people; His
relationship as Father and Husband guarantee us His aid; His gift of Jesus is a
pledge of every good thing; and His sure promise stands, “Fear not, I WILL
HELP THEE.”
