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We look at our world and wonder what is going on. We face challenges, uncertainty, and difficulties. We wonder what the right perspective should be. How should Christians think, pray, and live in times like these?

I've been asking these questions and I'm sure you have too. To find answers, we turn to Scripture. The Word of God encourages us, guides us, and gives us perspective.

Let me read Psalm 73 as our devotion and our prayer today.

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped. I had nearly lost my foothold, for I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggles. Their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens. They are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace. They clothe themselves with violence.

From their callous hearts comes iniquity. Their evil imaginations have no limit. They scoff and speak with malice, with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, "How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?" This is what the wicked are like. Always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply, till I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their final destiny.

Surely you placed them on slippery ground. You cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors? They are like a dream when one awakes. When you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you, and earth has nothing I desire besides you? My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Those who are far from you will perish. You destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all your deeds.

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. May the Lord bless you this day. Amen.

視頻大意翻譯 (video Chinese translation):

嗨! 

我們環顧世界，想到底發生什麼事了。我們面對挑戰、不確定性和困難。我們懷疑正確的觀點應該是什麼。在這樣的世代，基督徒應該如何思考、禱告和生活？

我一直在問這些問題，我相信你也是。為了找到答案，我們來到聖經。上帝的話語鼓勵我們，引導我們，並給我們觀點。

讓我來讀詩篇73篇作為我們今天的靈修和禱告。

神實在恩待以色列那些清心的人！
至於我，我的腳幾乎失閃，我的步伐險些走偏； 因為我嫉妒狂傲的人，我看見惡人享平安。

他們的力氣強壯，他們死的時候也沒有疼痛。 他們不像別人受苦，也不像別人遭災。 所以，驕傲如鏈子戴在他們項上，殘暴像衣裳覆蓋在他們身上。

他們的眼睛因體胖而凸出，他們的內心放任不羈。 他們譏笑人，憑惡意說欺壓人的話。他們說話自高； 他們的口褻瀆上天，他們的舌毀謗全地。

所以他的百姓歸到這裏，享受滿杯的水。 他們說：「神怎能曉得？至高者哪會知道呢？」 看哪，這就是惡人，他們常享安逸，財寶增多。

我實在徒然潔淨了我的心，徒然洗手表明我的無辜， 因為我終日遭災難，每日早晨受懲治。 我若說「我要這樣講」，就是愧對這世代的眾兒女了。

我思索要明白這事, 眼看實係為難，直到我進了神的聖所，思想他們的結局。

你實在把他們安放在滑地，使他們跌倒滅亡； 他們轉眼之間成了何等荒涼！他們被驚恐滅盡了。 人睡了，怎樣看夢, 主啊，你醒了也必照樣輕看他們的影像。

因此，我心裏苦惱，肺腑被刺。 我這樣愚昧無知，在你面前如同畜牲。 然而，我常與你同在；    你攙扶我的右手。 你要以你的訓言引導我，以後你必接我到榮耀裏。

除你以外，在天上我有誰呢？    除你以外，在地上我也沒有所愛慕的。 我的肉體和我的心腸衰殘；但神是我心裏的力量，又是我的福分，直到永遠。

看哪，遠離你的，必要死亡；凡離棄你行淫的，你都滅絕了。 但我親近神是於我有益；我以主耶和華為我的避難所, 好叫我述說你一切的作為。

這是神的話語，感謝神。願主今天祝福你。阿們。

讓我們禱告。