Joy in the City 合城喜乐

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Dexu Xia

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Apr 10, 2024, 1:48:25 AM4/10/24

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When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. Proverbs 11:10

When France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, it was an incredible contest that many dubbed the “greatest World Cup match in history.” As the final seconds ticked off in extra time, the score was tied 3-3, sending the soccer teams to penalty kicks. After Argentina made the winning goal, the nation erupted in celebration. More than a million Argentineans overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires. Drone footage spread across social media showing this raucous, happy scene. One BBC report described how the city quaked with “an explosion of joy.”

Joy is always a wonderful gift. Proverbs, though, describes how a city, a people, can experience joy that goes even deeper and lasts far longer. “When the righteous prosper,” Proverbs says, “the city rejoices” (11:10). When those who truly live by God’s designs for humanity begin to influence a community, then this signals good news because it means God’s justice is taking hold. Greed diminishes. The poor find support. The oppressed are protected. Whenever God’s right way of living flourishes, then there’s joy and “blessing” in the city (v. 11).

If we’re genuinely living out God’s ways, then the result will be good news for everyone. The way we live will make the community around us better and more whole. God invites us to be part of His work to heal the world. He invites us to bring joy to the city. By: Winn Collier

Where do you see the need for joy in your city? How can you bring God’s joy there?

Dear God, please help me to join You in bringing joy to others.

义人享福，合城喜乐。—箴言11章10节

在2022年世界杯足球赛的总决赛中，法国对上阿根廷，许多人称这场传奇的比赛为“世界杯史上最伟大的比赛”。延长赛结束时，比数定格在3比3，于是，两队进入PK赛（互射点球）。在阿根廷队成功射入致胜的一球后，举国欢腾，上百万的阿根廷民众涌入首都布宜诺斯艾利斯市中心。这喧闹、快乐的景象由无人机拍摄下来，社群网站也不断地转发。一位英国广播公司（BBC）记者描述，整座城市都沉浸在这兴奋欢乐的情绪之中。

喜乐固然是一份美妙的礼物。不过，箴言提到一种更深刻、存留更久的喜乐，说：“义人享福，合城喜乐”（11章10节），这描述了一座城和一群人如何经历了喜乐。当那些按照上帝的心意而活的人开始影响社区时，那显然是个好消息，代表上帝的公义开始彰显。贪婪的事减少；贫乏人得到扶持；受压迫的人得到保护。只要有更多人按上帝的心意而活，合城就有喜乐和“祝福”（11节）。

若我们真心按上帝的心意而活，那么结果对每一个人来说都将是好消息。我们的生活方式将使所在的社区变得更好、更健全。上帝邀请我们与祂同工，与祂一起使这个世界得到医治。祂邀请我们为整个城市带来喜乐。作者： 郭惟恩

在你的城市中，你看到哪些地方需要喜乐？
你要如何将上帝的喜乐带到那里去？
上帝叫我们在群体中要心存谦卑、宽容也要彼此相爱。