【双语灵修】欢迎！WELCOME!

诗篇 68:1-6

愿神兴起，使他的仇敌四散，叫那恨他的人从他面前逃跑。

他们被驱逐，如烟被风吹散；恶人见神之面而消灭，如蜡被火熔化。

唯有义人必然欢喜，在神面前高兴快乐。

你们当向神唱诗，歌颂他的名，为那坐车行过旷野的修平大路——他的名是耶和华，要在他面前欢乐！

神在他的圣所做孤儿的父，做寡妇的申冤者。

神叫孤独的有家，使被囚的出来享福，唯有悖逆的住在干燥之地。

2月13日

「神在他的圣所作孤儿的父，做寡妇的申冤者。神叫孤独的有家，使被囚的出来享福……」 -诗 68:5-6

「欢迎来到大家庭，我们欢喜又快乐，你向我们分享生命，在爱中共同成长……」

在菲律宾的第一年，我经常在崇拜开始或结束时听到这首歌，教堂里的人会四处与人握手，欢迎新来的朋友。我当时是一个单身外国人，有时会感到孤独。颂唱这首歌，以及热情好客、以家庭为核心的菲律宾文化，让我真正感受到了被欢迎。

《诗篇》第六十八篇提到了神对边缘群体——寡妇、孤儿、孤独者和被囚——的关顾。神经常指示祂的子民关爱这些人。这样做给这些人的生活带来了巨大的改变。今天的边缘人和弱势群体包括移民、难民、无家可归者、留学生等等。神希望我们欢迎每一个人，帮助他们解决困难。

欢迎别人进入我们的社区、教会、家庭和生活，是扫除人与福音保持距离这一道障碍的最好方式之一。

你身边的孤独者是谁？你的教会对陌生人的欢迎程度如何呢？去问问那些第一次来到教会的人有什么感受吧。

祷告

主啊，因着祢在基督里的恩典，祢接纳了我们进入祢的大家庭。请在我们身上做工，让我们向陌生人敞开心灵、开放家庭和生命。阿们。

WELCOME!

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. . . . God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing. . . .                            —Psalm 68:5-6

“Welcome to the family; we’re glad that you have come to share your life with us as we grow in love. . . .”

During my first year in the Philippines, I often heard this song at the beginning or end of a worship service, as people in church would go around shaking hands and welcoming new people. I was single and a foreigner, and at times I felt lonely. I truly felt welcomed through the use of this song, and by the welcoming Filipino culture that excelled in hospitality and family ties.

Psalm 68 mentions some of God’s concerns for marginalized people—widows, orphans, the lonely, and prisoners. God often gave his people instructions about caring for such persons. And that made a big difference in people’s lives. Today’s marginalized and vulnerable people include immigrants, refugees, the homeless, international students, and more. God wants us to welcome everyone and help them in their need.

Welcoming people into our neighborhoods, churches, homes, and lives is one of the greatest ways to overcome barriers that can keep people at a distance from the gospel.

Who are the lonely people around you? How welcoming is your church toward strangers? Ask a first-time visitor for their feedback.

Lord, you’ve welcomed us into your family by your grace in Christ. Work in us to open our hearts, homes, and lives to strangers. Amen.