阅读经文 

当我们教导小孩在遭到霸凌时仍然保持镇静，古语“棍棒和石头可能会打断我的骨头，但言语伤害不了我”可能会有帮助。纵然如此，苛刻的言语会大大影响我们一生。我们看作是朋友的人出乎意外对我们说了抨击和恶意的论断，或者是家人的一句随便评论，都有可能深深伤害我们的心灵，并且日渐恶化。而令我们汗颜的就是，我们自己往往也会用恶言恶语来还击。

以赛亚书二十五章说：“当强暴人催逼人的时候，如同暴风直吹墙壁。”神的子民被强暴的言语逼得走头无路和招架不住。他们不能单凭自己的力量继续支撑下去了。

然而先知提醒他们，神是他们在风暴中的避难所。以赛亚书二十五章是以这个欢乐的宣告开始的：“耶和华啊，你是我的神，我要尊崇你，我要称赞你的名，因为你以忠信诚实行过奇妙的事，成就你古时所定的。”（赛 25:1）神从起初已经定意要保护和带领我们，赐我们盼望和将来与祂同在的应许——祂还在每天的生活中赐给我们诸般的福气。

你或许被暴力的言语击垮，感到走投无路，要记住主可以做你的避难所，祂会赐你平安、激励你的心灵去回想和歌颂祂曾为你行过的大事。

The old saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” can be helpful for teaching kids to remain calm in the face of a bully. Even so, harsh words can have a striking effect on our lives. Unexpected criticism, hateful comments by a supposed friend, or an offhand remark from a family member can cut deep into our hearts and fester. To our shame, we often retaliate with spiteful words of our own. Isaiah 25 says that “the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall.” God’s people had been cornered and overwhelmed by ruthless words. They could not keep going in their own strength.

But the prophet reminds them that God is their shelter in the storm. Isaiah 25 begins with this joyful proclamation: “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things you planned long ago.” God has planned from the beginning to protect and guide us, giving us hope and a future with him—as well as many blessings in our lives each day.

Maybe you feel trapped in a corner as ruthless words bear down on you. Know that the Lord can be your shelter. He can give you peace, lifting your heart to remember and sing about the great things he has done for you.