Spotting Hope 看到希望
Dexu Xia
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22
Oceanographer Sylvia Earle has seen the deterioration of coral reefs firsthand. She founded Mission Blue, an organization devoted to the development of global “hope spots.” These special places around the world are “critical to the health of the ocean,” which impacts our lives on earth. Through the intentional care for these areas, scientists have seen the relationships of underwater communities restored and lives of endangered species preserved.
In Psalm 33, the psalmist acknowledges that God spoke everything into existence and ensured that all He made would stand firm (vv. 6–9). As God reigns over generations and nations (vv. 11–19), He alone restores relationships, saves lives, and revitalizes hope. However, God invites us to join Him in caring for the world and the people He created.
Each time we praise God for the whisper of a rainbow splashed across a clouded, gray sky or the glistening waves of the ocean crashing against a rocky shore, we can proclaim His “unfailing love” and presence as we “put our hope” in Him (v. 22).
When we’re tempted toward discouragement or fear as we consider the current state of the world, we may begin to believe we can’t make a difference. When we do our part as members of God’s care team, however, we can honor Him as the Creator and help others spot hope as they place their trust in Jesus.
By: Xochitl Dixon
How has God used nature to affirm your hope in Him? How can you serve as part of His care team?
Loving Creator and Sustainer, help me be a hope-spotter who faithfully serves on Your care team.
耶和华啊，求祢照着我们所仰望祢的，向我们施行慈爱。—诗篇33篇22节
美国海洋生物学家席薇亚·艾尔（Sylvia Earle）亲眼目睹了珊瑚白化甚至死亡。于是，她发起了“蓝色使命”计划，致力在全球各地建立名为“希望点”的海洋保护区。这些位于世界各地的特殊保护区对海洋的健康至关重要，而且会直接影响我们的生活。藉着对这些区域的特意保护，科学家们看到海底生态系统得到恢复，而濒危物种的生命也受到保护。
在诗篇33篇，诗人提到上帝用话语创造万物，并确保祂所造的一切都坚定立稳（6-9节）。上帝掌管万代万民（11-19节），唯有祂才能修复关系、拯救生命并重振希望。然而，上帝也邀请我们与祂一起关心大自然、全世界，以及祂所创造的全人类。
每一次，当我们因彩虹悄然划过乌云密布的灰暗天空，或因闪闪发光的海浪拍打岩岸而赞美上帝时，我们可以宣告祂永不止息的“慈爱”和同在，并且“仰望”祂（22节）。
当我们看到世界现今的状况时，很容易会感到挫败或害怕，我们可能会以为自己无法做任何改变。然而，当我们尽自己的本分，与上帝一起爱护所有的受造物时，就能荣耀上帝这位造物主，并且帮助其他人仰望耶稣，得到盼望。
作者： 邓书琪
上帝如何使用大自然使你有坚定的盼望？
你要如何与上帝一起关心这世界？
慈爱的造物主和维系者，求祢让我能忠心地看顾
和保护所有的受造物，让世界看到希望。