7月2日

標　　題：在純正中被扶持

經　　節：你因我純正就扶持我，使我永遠站在你的面前。（詩篇41:12）

約瑟是個義人，他在自己的生活圈中以聖潔成名。然而，閒言閒語傳得好快，他的未婚妻馬利亞懷孕了。這對許多人來說，可是醜名遠播的最糟窘境。約瑟可能會由其他人口中，聽到一些閒話，被其他人排斥。但他是個正直的人，瞭解神知道他與馬利亞的關係是清白的。

有時候，神會是你公義行為惟一的見證人。有時候，只有神瞭解你的動機。有時候，你照著神的指示做，反而被別人嘲弄。在這種時候，你能做的只是持守正直，相信神一直在看顧你。神最喜愛那些行為正直的人，他們不管其他人的批評，仍按著他們所知的持守正直。

人們是否知道真相，不是最重要的事；你是否在神面前持守純正，才是最重要的。當似乎沒有人瞭解你為何如此行，或有人質疑你是否做了所有該做的事時，你的信心不是創建在被人接納的希望，乃是知道神的眼睛看顧全地。這種信心必幫助你持守下去。

Integrity Upheld

As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever. (Psalms 41:12)

Joseph was a righteous man who had cultivated a reputation for godliness in his community. Then word spread across the community that Mary, the woman to whom he was engaged, was expecting a child. There would be many who would assume the worst of this apparently scandalous situation. Joseph probably experienced gossip from some, ostracism from others. Yet he was a man of integrity, aware that God knew the truth of his relationship with Mary.

At times, God will be the only witness to your righteous behavior. Sometimes God is the only one who will understand your motives. Sometimes you will do all you know God has asked you to do, only to face ridicule from others. At such times all you can do is maintain your integrity, trusting that God always keeps His eyes on you. God looks favorably upon those who walk with integrity, doing what they know is right, regardless of how others perceive their actions.

The most important thing is not that people know the truth. The most important thing is that you are a person of integrity before God. When no one seems to understand why you have done something or when others question whether you have done all you should have done, your confidence should not be in the hope of vindication in the eyes of others. It should be in the knowledge that God keeps you in His sight. If you have this confidence, it will be enough to sustain you.