|
(转繁) |
||
|
January 21 |
|
一月二十一日 |
|
“…saying that bonds and afflictions
abide me. But none of these things
move me…” (Acts20:23-24) We read in the
book of Samuel that the moment that David was crowned at When the enemy
meets us at the threshold of any great work for God, let us accept it as
"a token of salvation," and claim double blessing, victory, and
power. Power is developed by resistance. The cannon carries
twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through
resistance. The way electricity is produced in the powerhouse yonder is by
the sharp friction of the revolving wheels. And so we shall find some day that
even Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing. ━ Days of Heaven upon Earth A hero is not fed on sweets, Daily his own heart he eats; Chambers of the great are jails, And head winds right for royal sails.
━Emerson Tribulation is the way to triumph. The valley-way opens into the
highway. Tribulation's imprint is on all great things. Crowns are cast in
crucibles. Chains of character that wind about the feet of God are forged in
earthly flames. No man is greatest victor till he has trodden the winepress
of woe. With seams of anguish deep in His brow, the "Man of
Sorrows" said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation" ━ but after this sob comes the psalm of promise,
"Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."(Jn.16:33)The
footprints are traceable everywhere. Bloodmarks
stain the steps that lead to thrones. Sears are the price of scepters. Our
crowns will be wrested from the giants we conquer. Grief has always been the
lot of greatness. It is an open secret. "The mark of rank in nature. Is capacity for pain; And the anguish of the singer Makes the sweetest of the strain." Tribulation has always marked the trail of the true reformer. It
is the story of Paul, Luther, Savonarola, Knox, Wesley, and all the rest of
the mighty army. “…These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation….”(Rev.7:14) Every great book has been written with the author's blood.
"These are they that have come out of great tribulation." Who was
the peerless poet of the Greeks? Homer. But that illustrious singer was
blind. Who wrote the fadeless dream of "Pilgrim's Progress"? A
prince in royal purple upon a couch of ease? Nay! The trailing splendor of
that vision gilded the dingy walls of old Bedford jail while John Bunyan, a
princely prisoner, a glorious genius, made a faithful transcript of the
scene. Great is the facile conqueror; Yet haply, he, who, wounded sore, Breathless, all covered o'er with blood and sweat, Sinks fainting, but fighting evermore━ Is greater yet. ━Selected |
|
“…有捆锁与患难等待我。我却不以性命为念…” （徒二十：23-24）
我们在撒母耳记里面看见：当大卫在希伯仑受膏作王的时候，“非利士众人就上来寻索大卫”（撒下五：17）。照样，我们在神前受宠蒙爱的时候，仇敌撒但顶不甘心，就上来寻索我们，前来拦阻我们，和我们捣乱。
仇敌的攻击，破坏，和拦阻，我们应当看为神施行拯救的记号；这时候，就是我们向神支取加倍的祝福，胜利，和能力的机会。能力常是从拦阻中产生的。电力的产生，就是由于发电机的机轮互相摩擦（拦阻）。将来有一天我们会明白撒但也是被神利用的。━译自地上的属天生活
甘脂不是英雄的粮食， 他以悲哀充填心胸； 监狱是伟人的第宅， 顶帆最适宜于挡逆风。 ━埃默森
患难是胜利的快捷方式。山路之后，就是大路。一切伟大的事业上面，都有患难的印迹的。发光的金炼，必须经过炉火的烧和锤。没有一个人配算为得胜者，除非他经历苦楚。额上有刺痕的忧患之子，说：“在世上你们有苦难”━可是在这伤心的一句之后，就来了一句应许，“但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界”（约十六：33）。主在世上留下的脚踪，原是叫我们跟随祂的。那带血的脚步，是引领我们上宝座的。伤斑是铁杖的代价。我们的冠冕必须花力争夺的。这些都是公开的秘密。
造化的标准，以耐苦为度量。 确定人格高低。 最美的声乐，出于歌者的。 回肠荡气，哀惋悲凄。
先圣都曾经过许多患难━保罗，马丁路得，撒房那罗拉，拿克司，韦斯利以及一切大能的先锋。他们都从患难进入掌权的地位。将来环绕在宝座前唱诗赞美的人们，他们都是“…从大患难中出来的…”（启七：14）
每一本伟大的著作都是作者血的结晶。谁是希腊的大诗人？鸿谟。他是一个盲人。谁是写那部不朽之作“天路历程”的？是一个穿紫袍，享受安乐的王子吗？不是！乃是培德福牢狱中的一个囚犯本仁约翰。
伟大的战士，矫健如游龙。 意外地受了创伤， 混身血汗，屏息再向敌人进攻， 到力竭倒地，还不肯收敛刀锋。 伟大，伟大，浩气贯苍穹。 ━选
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 22 “Into a desert place
apart. ”
(Matt. 14:13) "There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of
music in it." In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and
there by "rests," and we foolishly think we have come to the end of
the tune. God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness, disappointed plans,
frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives;
and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the
music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator. How does the musician
read the "rest"? See him beat the time with unvarying count, and
catch up the next note true and steady, as if no breaking place had come
between. Not without design
does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not
be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to
be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look
up, God Himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike
the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves, "There is no
music in a 'rest,'" let us not forget "there is the making of music
in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this
life. How patiently God works to teach us! How long He waits for us to learn
the lesson! – Ruskin "Called aside— From the glad
working of thy busy life, From the
world's ceaseless stir of care and strife, Into the shade
and stillness by thy Heavenly Guide For a brief
space thou hast been called aside. "Called aside— Perhaps into a
desert garden dim; And yet not
alone, when thou hast been with Him, And heard His
voice in sweetest accents say: 'Child, wilt
thou not with Me this still hour stay?' "Called aside— In hidden paths
with Christ thy Lord to tread, Deeper to drink
at the sweet Fountainhead, Closer in
fellowship with Him to roam, Nearer,
perchance, to feel thy Heavenly Home. "Called aside— Oh, knowledge
deeper grows with Him alone; In secret of
His deeper love is shown, And learnt in
many an hour of dark distress Some rare,
sweet lesson of His tenderness. "Called aside— We thank thee
for the stillness and the shade; We thank Thee
for the hidden paths Thy love hath made, And, so that we
have wept and watched with Thee, We thank Thee
for our dark "Called aside— Oh, restful thought━He
doeth all things well; Oh, blessed
sense, with Christ alone to dwell; So in the
shadow of Thy cross to hide, We thank Thee,
Lord, to have been called aside." |
|
一月二十二日
“退到野地里去” （太十四：13）
在音乐谱中有一种符号，叫做休止符。当音乐奏到休止符时，声音完全停止；这常是音乐最精采之处。我们的一生，也如音乐一般，时时有休止符，可是我们顶愚昧，以为这些休止符是我们的末路和尽头，一生就完毕于此。神常叫我们失败，病痛，挫折，失业，我们就非常悲哀，以为我们的人生音乐从此不能再达到造物者的耳中了。可是让我们看，音乐家如何对付这些休止符呢？他们照常击拍，在休止符之后，重奏音乐，一若中间并无甚么间断。
神编我们一生的乐章，并非没有计划的。我们只管按谱奏乐，不必怕遇见休止符而恐惶。它们是不能删去的，因为一删去就会破坏音乐的精采。如果我们仰望我们音乐的导师“神”祂自己正在为我们击拍，我们的本分只是按照祂的指导奏乐；奏到休止符的时候，虽然音乐停止了，可是请记得：这是音乐的精采处。过了一拍子之久，音乐就要从新奏起。让我们学习这功课。━罗斯金
招呼你━ 离开忙碌紧张的生活， 离开你不断搅扰的尘世烦腻， 天国的向导招呼你暂到一旁， 在宁静的荫蔽中作片刻休憩。
招呼你━ 虽是一所杳无人迹的荒园 但你并不孤独，因为祂与你同在， 祂以最柔美的声调向你问道： “孩子：你岂不愿意与我共此安静一刻？”
招呼你━ 去和主耶稣同步幽深， 溯源一尝甘泉的清澄， 你和祂影形不离，想携漫游， 已经接近了天国的家庭。
招呼你━ 和祂单独相处，增进了渊博智慧， 祂的挚爱常在幽秘中显明表征， 在许多寂寞凄凉的夜晚，你将得到 出自祂深情的珍贵良箴。
招呼你━ 我们感谢主所赐的宁静和荫蔽， 我们感谢主，祢以爱所辟出的蹊径， 因此我们虽流着泪而注视祢。 感谢主，祢为了我们黑暗的客西马尼。
招呼你━ 想到祂完成了一切，我们就获得平安， 和基督单独相处，幸福美好无比， 我们躲在祢十字架的荫影下， 主啊，感谢祢招呼我们在祢一边。
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 23 “Why standest
thou afar off, O Lord? ” (Psalm 10:1) God is "a very present help in trouble." (Ps.46:1)But
He permits trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its
overwhelming pressure, that we may be brought to the end of ourselves, and
led to discover the treasure of darkness, the unmeasurable
gains of tribulation. We may be sure that He who permits the suffering is
with us in it. It may be that we shall see Him only when the trial is
passing; but we must dare to believe that He never leaves the crucible. Our
eyes are holden; and we cannot behold Him whom our
soul loveth. It is dark━the
bandages blind us so that we cannot see the form of our High Priest; but He
is there, deeply touched. Let us not rely on feeling, but on faith in His
unswerving fidelity; and though we see Him not, let us talk to Him. Directly
we begin to speak to Jesus, as being literally present, though His presence
is veiled, there comes an answering voice which shows that He is in the
shadow, keeping watch upon His own. Your Father is as near when you journey
through the dark tunnel as when under the open heaven! ━Daily Devotional Commentary "What though the path be all unknown? What though the way be drear? Its shades I traverse not alone When steps of Thine
are near." |
|
一月二十三日 “耶和华啊，祢为甚么站在远处？” （诗十：1）
神确然是我们“在患难中随时的帮助”（诗四十六：1）。但是祂常常一面许可患难追逼我们，一面又自己站在远处隐藏起来好似不关心我们的样子，这样好叫我们自己的帮助告一结束，而看见从患难中能得到无限的教训和益处。让我们深信那许可患难临到我们的神，是和我们一同在患难中。也许要等到试炼过去的时候，我们纔能看见祂；可是我们敢相信祂从来没有离开过我们。我们的眼睛迷糊了；我们不能看见祂。在黑暗中我们的眼睛似乎是瞎了，不能看见我们大祭司的影踪；但是祂终究和我们同在，和我们深深地接触着。让我们不依靠感觉，不凭眼见，惟独根据于神是信实的；虽然我们看不见祂，让我们和祂说话。我们一开始和祂说话，深信祂的同在，虽然祂的同在我们看不见，我们就会得到祂答应的声音，这就证明祂在黑暗中始终眷顾我们。我们无论在黑暗的通道中，无论在光明的天路中，我们的父是一样偎近我们的。━译自日诚报
卽使途径陌生，这有何妨？ 卽使道路艰难，又有何妨？ 我并非在黑暗中独自彷徨 因为你的脚步就在近边。
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 24 “But
the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto
him...And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was
an olive leaf. ” (Gen. 8:9-11) God knows just when to withhold from us any visible sign of encouragement, and when to grant us such a sign. How good
it is that we may trust Him anyway! When all visible evidences that He is
remembering us are withheld, that is best; He wants us to realize that His
Word, His promise of remembrance, is more substantial and dependable than any
evidence of our senses. When He sends the visible evidence, that is well
also; we appreciate it all the more after we have trusted Him without it.
Those who are readiest to trust God without other evidence than His Word
always receive the greatest number of visible evidences of His love. ━C. G. Trumbull "Believing Him; if storm-clouds gather
darkly 'round, And even if the heaven seem brass, without a
sound? He hears each prayer and even notes the
sparrow's fall. "And praising Him; when sorrow, grief,
and pain are near, And even when we lose the thing that seems
most dear? Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have
our All. "Our hand in His; e'en though the path seems long and drear
We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost
fear? He guides aright. He has it thus to keep us
near. "And satisfied; when every path is
blocked and bare, And worldly things are gone and dead which
were so fair? Believe and rest and trust in Him, He comes
to stay." Delays are not
refusals; many a prayer is registered, and underneath it the words: "My
time is not yet come." God has a set time as well as a set purpose, and He who orders the bounds of our habitation
orders also the time of our deliverance. ━Selected |
|
一月二十四日 “但…鸽子找不着落脚之地就回到…挪亚那里…到了晚上，鸽子回到他那里，嘴里叼着一个…橄榄叶子” （创八：9-11）
神知道甚么时候该不给我们看得见的凭据，甚么时候给我们看得见的凭据。我们若能完全信靠祂，这是何等美好的一件事呢？当所有眼见的凭据都收回了的时候，是最美好的时候；因为神的美旨是要我们承认：祂的话语，祂的应许，祂的恩约，比我们眼见的一切凭据更实在，更可靠。神若给我们眼见的凭据，也好；也是可宝贵的。那些只信神的话而不用其它凭据的人们，常得到许多看得见的凭据。━崔伦保
相信祂；卽使暴风欲来，乌云盖天， 即使穹苍如铜号，却默然无声， 祂听清楚你的祷告中的每一句言语， 甚之连麻雀轻轻落地之声祂都听闻。
赞美祂，如果忧愁悲痛已到眼前， 卽使连我们以为最亲爱的事物遭受损失！ 可是损失卽是获得， 赞美祂，从神那里什么都全备。
祂紧握我们的手， 纵使路途遥远又可怖， 战兢恐惧前途一步亦看不清， 祂正在引导我，只要我紧紧依附祂！
当人世一切珍贵如浮云消散， 荒凉寂寞，走头无路， 你该满足，因为信靠了祂， 绝对不会使你缺任何。
暂缓不是拒绝。许多祷告上批着：“我的时候还没有到”。神有规定的旨意也有规定的时间。━选
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 25 “…Thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me…. ”
(Psa. 23:4)
At my father's house in the country there is a little closet in
the chimney corner where are kept the canes and walking-sticks of several
generations of our family. In my visits to the old house, when my father and
I are going out for a walk, we often go to the cane closet, and pick out our
sticks to suit the fancy of the occasion. In this I have frequently been
reminded that the Word of God is a staff. During the war,
when the season of discouragement and impending danger was upon us, the
verse, "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed,
trusting in the Lord," (Ps.112:7) was a staff to walk with many dark
days. When death took
away our child and left us almost heartbroken, I found another staff in the
promise that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the
morning."(Ps.30:5) When in impaired
health, I was exiled for a year, not knowing whether I should be permitted to
return to my home and work again, I took with me this staff which never
failed, "He knoweth the thoughts that he thinketh toward me, thoughts of peace and not of
evil."(Jer.29:11) In times of
special danger or doubt, when human judgment has seemed to be set at naught,
I have found it easy to go forward with this staff, "……In quietness and
confidence shall be your strength……."(Is.30:15) And in emergencies, when
there has seemed to be no adequate time for deliberation or for action, I
have never found that this staff has failed me, "……He that believeth shall
not make haste."(Is.28:16) ━Benjamin Vaughan
Abbott, in The Outlook. "I had never
known," said Martin Luther's wife, "what such and such things
meant, in such and such psalms, such complaints and workings of spirit; I had
never understood the practice of Christian duties, had not God brought me
under some affliction." It is very true that God's rod is as the
schoolmaster's pointer to the child, pointing out the letter, that he may the
better take notice of it; thus He pointeth out to
us many good lessons which we should never otherwise have learned. –Selected "God always
sends His staff with His rod." "Thy shoes
shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be"
(Deut. 33:25). Each of us may be
sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong
shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip
us well. –Maclaren. |
|
一月二十五日 “…祢的杖，祢的竿，都安慰我…” （诗廿三：4）
在我父亲的家中有一个小房间，里面藏着我家几代所用的许多手杖。有的是爬山用的，有的是走平坦大道用的，有的是走泥泞之地用的，有的是雨后雪后行路用的，每种手杖的样式各不相同。有时我回故乡去探望父亲，他老人家常喜欢和我出外散步；每次出发之前，我们总先到手杖室中去拣选我们那一次所适用的手杖。因此我常常想起神的话语是我们生活中的手杖，会给我无限帮助和安慰。
在打仗的时候，紧急的风声使我们心慌意乱，神给我们的杖是：“他必不怕凶恶的信息；他心坚定，依靠耶和华”（诗一一二：7）。这杖扶持我们经过许多黑暗的日子。
当死亡夺去我们的孩子，使我们心碎的时候，我在应许中找到另一根安慰的杖：“……一宿虽然有哭泣，早晨便必欢呼”（诗三十：5）
有一次我病倒了，在外养病有一年之久，在这时期中我不知道究竟我是否再会恢复，再能回到我的家中去，再担任我以前的工作。在这样没有指望之中，我始终抓住神的杖。“耶和华说，我知道我向你们所怀的意念，是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念…”（耶廿九：11）
在危险或疑惧的时候，人的评判都说“完了”的时候，我发见了一根带领我安然过去的杖：“……你们得力在乎平静安稳……”（赛三十：15）。在遇到意外事情的时候，似乎没有一点工夫可以设法补救了，我发现了一根从来没有误过我的杖：“……信靠的人必不着急“（赛二十八：16）━亚保德便雅悯
马丁路得的妻子说：“如果神不叫我经过苦难，我永远不会知道诗篇中这些话语是甚么意思；我也永远不会明白基督徒的责任是甚么。“真的，神的杖好像教员指示孩子识字的教鞭一般，指到某一个字，孩子就注意这一个字；照样，神指导我们许多有益的功课，是我们在别的地方永不会学到的。━选
“神总是用祂的竿和杖指引我们。”
“你的鞋是铜的，铁的。你的日子如何，你的力量也必如何”（申三十三：25）
让我们记得：如果神要我们走在坚固的石路上，祂必先给我们穿上铁鞋或铜鞋；祂决不会不先替我们预备好了，就差我们出外去走崎岖的路。━麦克劳
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 26 “...I have begun to give;...begin to possess. ” (Deut.
2:31) A great deal is said in the Bible about waiting for God. The
lesson cannot be too strongly enforced. We easily grow impatient of God's
delays. Much of our trouble in life comes out of our restless, sometimes
reckless, haste. We cannot wait for the fruit to ripen, but insist on
plucking it while it is green. We cannot wait for the answers to our prayers,
although the things we ask for may require long years in their preparation
for us. We are exhorted to walk with God; but ofttimes
God walks very slowly. But there is another phase of the lesson. God often
waits for us. We fail many times
to receive the blessing He has ready for us, because we do not go forward
with Him. While we miss much good through not waiting for God, we also miss
much through over-waiting. There are times when our strength is to sit still,
but there are also times when we are to go forward with a firm step. There are many
Divine promises which are conditioned upon the beginning of some action on
our part. When we begin to obey, God will begin to bless us. Great things
were promised to Abraham, but not one of them could have been obtained by
waiting in When the
Israelites were shut in by a pursuing army at the |
|
一月二十六日 “……从此起首，……交给你，你要得……为业” （申二：31）
圣经中常讲起信徒该怎样等待神，这个真理不能太偏于一面。诚然，有许多时候我们顶容易不耐神的迟延。我们生活中多少的烦恼都是出于自己的纷扰，鲁莽和焦急。我们不能等果子成熟，只管把青色的果子采下来。我们不能耐心等待我们祷告的答应，不管所求的须有较长时间的预备。我们想和神同行，不料神行得很慢。这些都是我们的失败，不能耐心等候神。然而圣经中还有另一方面的真理。就是神常等待我们，可惜我们总是耽误神。
多少时候，我们没有得到神已经为我们预备好了的祝福，因为我们不上前去接受。虽然有时我们的损失，是因为不等待神；但是多少时候我们的损失，也是因为待得过度了。有的时候，我们应该静坐；也有时候，我们应该迈步上前。
圣经中有许多的应许都是带条件的。在我们方面必须先有条件的履行，然后神方面纔有应许的实现。我们开始顺服的时候，神就开始祝福我们。神给亚伯拉罕许多的应许；可是这许多应许之中，没有一个能彀实现，当亚伯拉罕还等在迦勒底的时候。他必须先离开本乡，本族，本家，以及一切的朋友到一个异乡去，然后神纔一件一件成就祂的应许。主肯医治十个长大痲疯的，对他们说：“你们去把身体给祭司察看；”他们在甚么时候得医治的？“他们去的时候就洁净了”（路十七：14）。如果他们等待，要先看见他们的肉洁净了，然后再去，他们决不会得到医治。神等待去洁净他们，只消他们的信心一开始活动，祝福就来了。
当以色列人被仇敌追逼到红海的时候，神吩咐他们“……往前走”（出十四：15）。他们的责任不是等待，乃是鼓着勇敢的信心起来往前走。还有一次，当他们渡过泛滥两岸的约旦河时，他们必须先有信心伸足入水。信心是一把钥匙一把开入应许之地的门的钥匙。这把钥匙是在他们自己的手中，他们若不走近那门，用钥匙去开门的话，门就决不会自动开启的。哦，信徒们，今日我们是命定在世争战的。当然我们决不能得胜，竟不堪仇敌一击；然而，我们凭信心冲过前线的时候，就有那唯一的得胜者来到我们身边，替我们争战；靠着祂，我们已经得胜有余了。如果我们犹疑，战兢，等候那得胜者先来了，然后向前争战。我们定规空等。这就是不信的过度等候。神今天在等待，要厚厚地赐福与我们。我们应该用勇敢的信心前去接受。“从此起首，我要…交给你，你要得…为业。”━密勒
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 27 “……Stablish,
strengthen, settle you. ” (1 Peter 5:10) In taking Christ in any new relationship, we must first have
sufficient intellectual light to satisfy our mind that we are entitled to
stand in this relationship. The shadow of a question here will wreck our
confidence. Then, having seen this, we must make the venture, the committal,
the choice, and take the place just as definitely as the tree is planted in
the soil, or the bride gives herself away at the marriage altar. It must be
once for all, without reserve, without recall. Then there is a
season of establishing, settling and testing, during which we must "stay
put" until the new relationship gets so fixed as to become a permanent
habit. It is just the same as when the surgeon sets the broken arm. He puts
it in splints to keep it from vibration. So God has His spiritual splints
that He wants to put upon His children and keep them quiet and unmoved until
they pass the first stage of faith. It is not always easy work for us,
"but the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by
Jesus Christ, after that ye have suffered awhile, stablish,
strengthen, settle you." ━A.B. Simpson. There is a natural
law in sin and sickness; and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the
trend of circumstances, we shall go down and sink under the power of the
tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in
Christ Jesus to which we can rise, and through which
we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down. But to do this
requires real spiritual energy and fixed purpose and a settled posture and
habit of faith. It is just the same as when we use the power in our factory.
We must turn on the belt and keep it on. The power is there, but we must keep
the connection; and while we do so, the higher power will work and all the
machinery will be in operation. There is a
spiritual law of choosing, believing, abiding, and holding steady in our walk
with God, which is essential to the working of the Holy Ghost either in our
sanctification or healing. ━Days of Heaven
upon Earth. |
|
一月二十七日 “那赐诸般恩典的神，曾在基督里召你们，得享祂永远的荣耀，等你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们。” （彼前五：10）
当我们和基督结合进入新的关系之时，我们首先要有足够的智慧使自己认识，我们应该始终保持这个关系。在这开头，任何疑问的阴影，都会破坏我们的亲密。看清了这一点之后，我们必须大胆作承担的抉择，就象树木种在泥土中，或新娘在礼坛前许配终身一样，确定自己的地位。必须永远不渝，既无保留，亦无反悔的余地。
然后，要经过一段试炼和培植的时期，在这个期间，我们必须坚毅稳定，直到新的关系变为根深蒂固的常规。臂膊折了骨，使它避免任何震动。神也要给祂的子女按上了精神的夹板，使他们安定不动，直到他们通过信心的第一阶段。对于我们，这不一定是容易的，“但赐我们以一切恩典的神，曾在基督里召你们，得享祂永远的荣耀，等你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们”。━辛浦生
罪恶和病患，都有一条相通的自然律；如果我们让自己去陷入它们的不良趋势之中，我们就会沉沦下去，落入魔鬼的掌握。但在耶稣基督里，另有一条关于精神生活和肉体生活的定律，可使我们超升，藉此抵制或克服那另一条使我们沉沦的自然律。
但要达到此目的，必须具有真正的精神力量，坚决的志愿，安定的情绪，和恒常的信心。这就象我们在工厂里运用动力一样。我们必须使轮机继续运转。因为动力是存在的，但我们必须保持联系，有了这个联系之后，动力发生了作用，整个机器也就开动了。
有一条精神生活的定律，要我们在和神同行时，有选择的决断，有信仰的恒心，和坚固的执着，圣灵之使我们神圣化和救治我们，这条定律是整个紧要的关键。━地上属天生活
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 28 “I am
jealous over you with God's own jealousy. ” (2 Cor. 11:2) (
How an old harper dotes on his harp!
How he fondles and caresses it, as a child resting on his bosom! His life is
bound up in it. But, see him tuning it. He grasps it firmly, strikes a chord
with a sharp, quick blow; and while it quivers as if in pain, he leans over intently
to catch the first note that rises. The note, as he feared, is false and
harsh. He strains the chord with the torturing thumb-screw; and though it
seems ready to snap with the tension, he strikes it again, bending down to
listen softly as before, till at length you see a smile on his face as the
first true tone trembles upward.
So it may be that God is dealing with you. Loving you better than
any harper loves his harp, He finds you a mass of
jarring discords. He wrings your heartstrings with some torturing anguish; He
bends over you tenderly, striking and listening; and, hearing only a harsh
murmur, strikes you again, while His heart bleeds for you, anxiously waiting
for that strain━"Not my will, but thine
be done"(Lk.22:42) ━which is melody
sweet to His ear as angels' songs. Nor will He cease to strike until your chastened soul shall blend
with all the pure and infinite harmonies of His own being. ━Selected "Oh, the sweetness that dwells in a harp of many
strings, While each, all vocal with love in a tuneful harmony
rings! But, oh, the wail and the discord, when
one and another is rent,Tensionless, broken and
lost, from the cherished instrument. "For rapture of love is linked with the pain or fear
of loss, And the hand that takes the crown, must ache with many a cross; Yet he who hath never a conflict, hath never a victor's palm, And only the toilers know the sweetness of rest and calm. "Only between the storms can the Alpine traveller know Transcendent glory of clearness, marvels of gleam and glow; Had he the brightness unbroken of cloudless summer days, This had been dimmed by the dust and the
veil of a brooding haze.
"Who would dare the choice, neither or both to know, The finest quiver of joy or the agony thrill of woe! Never the exquisite pain, then never the exquisite bliss, For the heart that is dull to that can never be strung to this."
|
|
一月二十八日
“我为你们起的愤恨，原是神那样的愤恨” （林后十一：2）
一个善奏古琴的琴师，何等宠爱他的古琴呢！他把它怀抱在胸中，抚它，亲它，偎它！他和它相依为命。可是，你看他怎样调整弦音。他把它紧紧握住，用力地在弦上拨一下；弦立刻震颤，好似惊痛之下的战栗；他侧耳细听，觉得弦音粗浮，还未准确。于是他把弦绞紧；弹拨再三，直等到它能发出柔和准确的声音来。他脸上纔露出笑容，点头满意。
亲爱的，其实神也是如此对待你。祂爱你远胜琴师爱琴，祂发现你的声音不和谐。祂把你紧紧抓住，用力拨你的心弦；祂侧耳细听，岂知你所发的声音仍是咒诅和怨言；祂只得绞紧你的心弦，再拨，再弹，直等你的声音是赞美，感谢，和“不要成就我的意思，只要成就你的意思”（路二十二：42）━神所最喜听的音乐。这是像天使歌唱一样，祂所最爱听的音乐。
直到你纯洁化了的灵魂，和祂完全一致，乳水交融，否则祂决不停止祂的乐器音阶的调整。━选
竖琴有许多琴弦，在爱的旋律中震颤， 一一和谐合拍，流露出蕴蓄的甜美。 忽有一二弦蓦地断裂崩弛， 破坏了紧凑，就如不起波澜的一泓死水。
爱的狂喜和伤痛相连， 取得王冠的手，必曾受过许多苦难和酸痛； 未曾争鬬的人，不会有得胜者的荣誉， 经过了辛苦，才能领略休息和平静的美梦。
阿尔卑斯山的游客，唯有在两场风雨之间， 才能欣赏天空的明净和霞光的奇观； 如果夏天永远碧空无云， 也会有十丈红尘飞扬迷漫。
悲哀与快乐，谁也不能作分别的选择， 两者，必须都有体念， 否则懵懂恍惚，无所知悉， 没有非常的痛苦，就没有非常的福祉， 对苦痛麻木的心灵，对福祉也不会敏感。
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 29 “…God
is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that
right early. ”
(Psa. 46:2, 3,
5) "Shall not be moved"━what
an inspiring declaration! Can it be possible that we, who are so easily moved
by the things of earth, can arrive at a place where nothing can upset us or
disturb our calm? Yes, it is possible; and the Apostle Paul knew it. When he
was on his way to "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall
go no more out." (Rev.3:12) To be as immovable as a pillar in the house
of our God, is an end for which one would gladly endure all the shakings that
may be necessary to bring us there! ━Hannah Whitall Smith When God is in the midst of a kingdom or city He makes it as firm
as "They that trust in the Lord shall be as "Who sticketh
to God in stable trust As Which moveth no
whit, nor yet doth reel, But standeth
forever as stiff as steel!" |
|
一月二十九日 “…神在其中，城必不动摇；到天一亮，神必帮助这城” （诗四十六：5）
“必不动摇”━这是何等的宣言！像我们这样最容易给属地的东西所摇动的人，竟可以到一个地步，没有一件东西能彀摇动或是颠覆我们？是的，这是绝对可能的事；使徒保罗就懂得这一个秘诀。在他到耶路撒冷去的路上，他已经预见前面“有捆锁与患难等待”（徒二十：23），可是他能彀坦然说，“这些东西没有一件可以摇动我”（24节）。保罗一生中间，凡是可以摇动的东西，都已经摇动掉了；他并不以性命为念，也不以他所有的为宝贵。照样，我们如果愿意让神按照祂的方法对付我们，如同对付保罗一般，我们也能彀达到同样的地步：没有一件琐碎的事情，也没有一件重大的试炼，能彀摇动我们离开平安了。这样的平安，只有完全安息在神里面的人们纔有分的。
“得胜的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子，他也必不再从那里出去”（启三：12）。在我神殿中作柱子是不能摇动的；这就是欢喜忍受一切环境的震动的结果！━司密斯
当神在一个城中，祂使那城象锡安山一般坚固，不能移动分毫。当祂在我们里面，虽然四周有骇浪怒涛，狂风暴雨，可是在我们里面仍有恒久的平安；这种平安，是世界所不能给我们的，也是世界所不能夺去我们的。在我们里面是神，在世人里面是世界；这就是为甚么我们能有平安，而他们当风浪来的时候，就会像叶子那样飘摇不定。━雷登
“倚靠耶和华的人，好像锡安山，永不动摇”（诗一二五：1）。有一首苏格兰古诗，能在我们的血液中注入铁一般的力量：
以坚定的信心依靠神， 像锡安山那样站稳脚跟， 永远屹立，像钢铁般的， 不摇撼，也不移动毫分。 |
|
|
|
|
|
January 30 “I will be as the dew
unto The dew is a source of freshness. It is nature's provision for
renewing the face of the earth. It falls at night, and without it the
vegetation would die. It is this great value of the dew which is so often
recognized in the Scriptures. It is used as the symbol of spiritual
refreshing. Just as nature is bathed in dew, so the Lord renews His people.
In Titus 3:5 the same thought of spiritual refreshing is connected with the
ministry of the Holy Ghost━"renewing of the
Holy Ghost." Many Christian workers do not recognize the importance of the
heavenly dew in their lives, and as a result they lack freshness and vigor.
Their spirits are drooping for lack of dew. Beloved fellow-worker, you recognize the folly of a laboring man
attempting to do his day's work without eating. Do you recognize the folly of
a servant of God attempting to minister without eating of the heavenly manna?
Nor will it suffice to have spiritual nourishment occasionally. Every day you
must receive the renewing of the Holy Ghost. You know when your whole being
is pulsating with the vigor and freshness of Divine life and when you feel
jaded and worn. Quietness and absorption bring the dew. At night when the
leaf and blade are still, the vegetable pores are open to receive the
refreshing and invigorating bath; so spiritual dew comes from quiet lingering
in the Master's presence. Get still before Him. Haste will prevent your
receiving the dew. Wait before God until you feel saturated with His
presence; then go forth to your next duty with the conscious freshness and
vigor of Christ. ━Dr. Pardington. Dew will never gather while there is either heat or wind. The
temperature must fall, and the wind cease, and the air come to a point of
coolness and rest━absolute rest, so to speak━before
it can yield up its invisible particles of moisture to bedew either herb or
flower. So the grace of God does not come forth to rest the soul of man until
the still point is fairly and fully reached. ━Selected "Drop Thy still dews of quietness, Till all our strivings cease: Take from our souls the strain and stress; And let our ordered lives confess The beauty of Thy peace. "Breathe through the pulses of desire Thy coolness and Thy balm; Let sense be dumb, its beats expire: Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire, O still small voice of calm!" |
|
一月三十日 “我必向以色列如甘露” （何十四：5）
露是代表新鲜，朝气，活泼。神降露原是为着更新大地，滋润花草。圣经中也常说起露，用来表明属灵的更新。神常藉圣灵更新祂的子民，犹如用露更新大地一般。在提多三章五章所说的：“圣灵的更新”就是讲圣灵有露珠一般的执事。
许多神的仆人不懂得属灵的露珠在他们生命中的重要。结果，他们没有活泼，缺乏朝气。他们的灵性下沉（甚至枯萎）就是因为没有灵露的更新。
亲爱的同工，你想一个工人能不吃东西，而整天作工么？你想一个神的工人能不吃属灵的吗哪，而专一事奉么？不，绝对不能。偶然吃一次也是不彀的。你必须每天接受圣灵的更新当作你灵性的滋养。怎样去接受神的灵露呢？安静，吸收。到了深夜寂静时，花草叶子的气孔都张开了，这时候正是他们受露珠的时候；属灵的露珠也是这样，当我们在神前安静等待的时候，我们就会得到更新和滋润。急躁不会叫你得到甚么。安静等待，直到你浸沉在主的同在里；然后带着基督的新鲜和活泼到工场里去。━巴亭登
有风或是有热的时候，露珠凝结不起来。风必须平静，热度必须下降，大气必须到又静又冷的一点，露珠纔能凝结在叶子或花瓣上。照样，神更新的恩典，也是如此；必须等到你的火气退去，你灵安静，然后神纔降甘露滋润你。━选
滴下祢安静的灵珠， 让我们也一切宁静， 卸却灵魂的紧张与重负， 在生活中反映出祢的美丽和平意境。
为人欲而奔腾的脉搏， 需要一剂镇定与清凉， 不必再狂跳和慌张， 风火地震的大变动中，依旧宁静安详。
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 31 “He giveth quietness.” (Job 34:29)
Quietness amid the dash of the storm. We sail the lake with Him
still; and as we reach its middle waters, far from land, under "He giveth
quietness." O Elder Brother, Whose homeless feet have pressed our path of
pain, Whose hands have borne the burden of our
sorrow, That in our losses we might find our gain. "Of all Thy gifts and infinite consolings, I ask but this: in every troubled hour To hear Thy voice through all the tumults
stealing, And rest serene beneath its tranquil power. "Cares cannot fret me if my soul be
dwelling In the still air of faith's untroubled day; Grief cannot shake me if I walk beside thee, My hand in Thine
along the darkening way. "Content to know there comes a radiant
morning When from all shadows I shall find release, Serene to wait the rapture of its dawning— Who can make trouble when Thou sendest peace?" |
|
一月三十一日 “祂使人安静” （伯三十四：29）
神能在风浪中给人安静。今天我们仍旧和祂一同在船中；在深夜离岸甚远，船到了湖中心的时候，忽然起了暴风，甚至船被波浪掩盖。这时候似乎世人联络一致地逼迫我们，地狱张了口等待吞吃我们，每一个波浪威胁我们。在这样绝望的光景中，主顶镇静地起来，斥责风和浪。在祂一挥手之下，祝福来了，风浪去了，风号浪湃，不能混乱祂的声音，“住了罢，静了罢”（可四：39）。你听见祂的声音么？“祂使人安静“。这安静不是普通的安静，乃是在失去指望和安慰中的安静。有时候祂故意把指望和安慰从我们收回，因为我们太注重这些了。我们顶容易专看喜乐，奋心，盼望，安慰，经历，恩赐，异象等等过于看主。所以为了爱的缘故，主把这些暂时收回；好叫我们靠着祂的恩典，分辨主所赐的和主自己。但是当我们以为失去了一切福份的时候，主就来了，叫我们尝到祂同在的滋味。这时候我们因为有了祂自己，就忘记了祂所收回的，心中只觉得无限的安静。“祂使人安静”。
“祂使人安静” 基督流浪的脚步，曾踏过我们痛苦的荒径， 祂的双手担承过我们悲愁的重负， 祂使人安宁，丧失之中找到新的生命。
在祢一切的赐予和无尽的安慰中， 我只祈求：在遭遇困难的时际， 听到祢的声音隐隐穿过一切喧嚣， 使我在它安静的力量下泰然休憩。 只要我灵魂寓于平静的信仰， 一切忧虑都不能使我心焦， 只要祢握着我的手，我走在祢身旁， 一切悲痛都不能使我动摇。
光明的早晨将使黑暗消散， 知道了这一点，我已心满意足， 我将静待黎明时分的狂喜， 谁还能扰乱祢所赐的安宁平静？
|
|
|
