Straight Ahead 不偏不依

[Dexu Xia]

Straight Ahead

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord . . . , not turning aside to the right or to the left. 2 Kings 22:2

It used to take the steady eye and the firm hand of a farmer to drive a tractor or combine down straight rows. But even the best eyes would overlap rows, and by end of day even the strongest hands would be fatigued. But now there’s autosteer—a GPS-based technology that allows for accuracy to within one inch when planting, cultivating, and spraying. It’s incredibly efficient and hands-free. Just imagine sitting in a mammoth combine and instead of gripping the wheel, you’re gripping a roast beef sandwich. An amazing tool to keep you moving straight ahead.

You may recall the name Josiah. He was crowned king when he was only “eight years old” (2 Kings 22:1). Years later, in his mid-twenties, Hilkiah the high priest found “the Book of the Law” in the temple (v. 8). It was then read to the young king, who tore his robes in sorrow due to his ancestors’ disobedience to God. Josiah set about to do what was “right in the eyes of the Lord” (v. 2). The book became a tool to steer the people so there would be no turning to the right or left. God’s instructions were there to set things straight.

Allowing the Scriptures to guide us day by day keeps our lives in line with knowing God and His will. The Bible is an amazing tool that, if followed, keeps us moving straight ahead.

How is Bible reading a part of your daily routine? What Scriptures has God been using to keep your life on track?

God, the Scriptures are a gift that brings truth and freedom to our lives. Help me to hunger and thirst for Your words.

不偏不依

约西亚行耶和华眼中看为正的事，……不偏左右。—列王纪下22章2节

对农夫来说，以往要能在田里驾驶拖拉机或联合收割机笔直地前进，需要一双锐利的眼和强健的手。但就算是最好的眼力也可能看错行道，再强壮的手也会感到疲劳。然而，现今农夫能采用根据导航科技研发的自动驾驶系统，让播种、栽种和喷洒都精准到少过3公分的误差。这种耕种方式非常高效，而且还可以不用动手操作。想像一下，坐在一台巨型收割机上，但你手握的不是方向盘，而是一个葱油饼！这是多么美妙的工具啊，可以让你不偏不倚地前行。

或许，你也还记得犹大王约西亚，他登基时年仅八岁（列王纪下22章1节）。在他二十多岁时，大祭司希勒家在圣殿找到“律法书”（8节），然后有人在这位年轻的君王面前诵读此书。约西亚听见列祖悖逆上帝，不禁哀恸地撕裂衣服。约西亚王立定心志“行耶和华眼中看为正的事”（2节），而这本律法书成为引导人民方向的工具，好使他们不偏离正轨。上帝的律法是要让人们行事不偏不倚，合上帝心意。

但愿我们将圣经作为每天的引导，使我们能在生活中更认识上帝，以及遵行祂的旨意。圣经是多么美妙的工具，只要我们愿意遵从就可以不偏不倚地前行！

上帝啊，求祢帮助我渴慕祢的话语，勤读圣经，
因这是祢所赐，能为我的生命带来真理和自由。

阅读圣经如何成为你每日的例程？
上帝曾用哪些经文使你的生活行在正轨上？