In God’s Line of Sight 在上帝的视线之中

[Dexu Xia]

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8

Today's Scripture Psalm 121

Today's Insights   Psalm 121 is part of a collection of songs designed for use during the high holy days of Israel’s calendar. People from all over the land would journey to Jerusalem for the celebration of “the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles” (Deuteronomy 16:16). However, most of them made the journey on foot (as Jesus did with His family in Luke 2:41-52), and the trek could be treacherous. Most pilgrims made the journey from the lowlands around Jerusalem, so going to the city meant climbing up Mount Zion. That’s why Psalms 120-134 are called Songs of Ascents. Psalm 121, in particular, promises that the God who lives on Zion watches over all those journeying to His city, and He’ll protect them on their way. Even today, we can trust that the God who lives in the heavenly Zion watches over us no matter where we are.

Today's Devotion   Trina received a free ticket to a sold-out event and tucked it into her Bible. Later, her son saw her frantically searching through the pantry. When she explained that she’d lost her Bible, he asked why she was looking in the food cupboard. “Because I’ve looked everywhere else, and the event starts in thirty minutes,” she said. “I don’t want to miss one moment.” Her son chuckled. “Breathe, Mom,” he said. “I think you’re suffering from FOMO, the fear of missing out.” She laughed. As her son joined the search, Trina’s husband entered. “You left this in the car,” he said, holding up the Bible.

While it’s not wrong to enjoy unexpected blessings, big breaks, or once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, a desire for enjoyment can easily turn into a fear of missing out. We can even be tempted to think God holds out on us or loses sight of us. However, the “Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2) is our ever-watchful and never-sleeping provider and protector (vv. 3-7). So we don’t have to fret over detours, delays, or even missed opportunities. God will watch over our “coming and going both now and forevermore” (v. 8).

During times of affliction, seasons of abundance, and in every mundane moment God plans for us in-between, we’re always in His line of sight. We won’t miss out on anything God has planned for us to experience.

Reflect & Pray  How does being in God’s line of sight impact your life? When has missing out on something led to an unexpected blessing?

Faithful God, thank You for keeping me in Your line of sight.  By Xochitl Dixon

“耶和华要保护你，免受一切的灾害；他要保护你的性命。你出你入，耶和华要保护你，从今直到永远。”诗篇121:8 

今日经文：诗篇121篇

今日洞见 诗篇121篇属于一系列诗歌集，专为以色列历法中的重大节期而作。来自全国各地的百姓会启程前往耶路撒冷，庆祝“除酵节、七七节和住棚节”（申命记16:16）。然而，他们中的大多数人是徒步完成这段旅程的（正如耶稣与家人在路加福音2:41-52中所做的那样），而这段跋涉之路可能充满险阻。大多数朝圣者是从耶路撒冷周边的低洼地带出发的，因此前往这座圣城，就必须攀登锡安山。正因如此，诗篇120至134篇被称为“上行之诗”。尤其是诗篇121篇，它应许我们：那位居住在锡安山上的上帝，正看顾着所有前往祂圣城的旅人，并在他们行路途中给予保护。即便在今日，我们依然可以确信：那位居住在属天锡安山上的上帝，无论我们身处何方，都在时刻看顾着我们。

今日灵修 特丽娜收到了一张某场热门活动的免费入场券，那场活动的票早已售罄。她将票夹在了自己的圣经里。过了一会儿，她的儿子看见她正焦急地在食品储藏柜里翻找着什么。当她解释说自己把圣经弄丢了时，儿子不解地问：“既然是找圣经怎么跑到食品柜里找去了？”她回答道：“因为我把其他所有地方都找遍了，而且活动三十分钟后就要开始了！​​我可不想错过哪怕一分一秒。”儿子听了不禁轻笑出声。他说：“妈，深呼吸，别急。我看你是患上了‘FOMO’（错失恐惧症）也就是那种生怕自己错过了什么的焦虑感。”特丽娜听了也笑了起来。正当儿子也加入到寻找的行列时，特丽娜的丈夫走了进来。他举起那本圣经，说道：“你把圣经落在车上了。”

 虽然不想错过意外的恩典、重大的转机或千载难逢的机遇本身并无过错，但这种对享乐的渴望却很容易演变为一种“错失恐惧症”。我们甚至会因此产生一种诱惑性的念头，误以为上帝对我们有所保留，或是将我们遗忘在了视线之外。然而，那位“造天造地的主”（诗篇 121:2）是我们时刻看顾、永不打盹的供应者与保护者（3-7 节）。因此，我们无需为人生中的弯路、延误，甚至错失的良机而忧虑。上帝必看顾“我们的出入，从今时直到永远”（8 节）。无论是在患难的时刻、丰盛的季节，还是介于两者之间、上帝为我们预备的每一个平凡瞬间，我们始终都在祂的视线之中。凡是上帝计划要让我们经历的事物，我们绝不会错过。

反思与祷告 明白自己总是在上帝的视线中，对你的生命有何影响？你曾有过因错失某事而意外获得祝福的经历吗？ 信实的上帝啊，感谢祢始终将我置于祢的视线之中。作者：索其特 迪克森