十二月九日

耶和华必然等候，要施恩给你们。(以赛亚书30：18)

神答应人的祷告常是很迟缓的，在圣经中给出了我们有好多例子。雅各到天明的时候，才得到天使的祝福；叙利非尼基族的妇人（迦南妇人）再三求告才得了主的答应；保罗曾为他肉体上的“一根刺”“三次求过主”，叫那刺离开他，但是他并没有得到明确的应允，神给的应许只是：“我的恩典够你用的。”若你叩求恩门未蒙应允，需要我来告诉你为什么大能的造物主未给你开门叫你进去吗？我们的父叫我们等候必有其特殊的理由；有时是为了彰显祂的大能和威权，好叫人知道给与不给的权柄乃在于耶和华，但多半祂的迟延是为了叫我们得益处。

神叫你等候，或许是为了让你的心愿变得更为热烈， 因为祂知道迟延将唤醒并增强你的愿望。若祂使你等候，你就能更清楚地看到自己的需要，并为之更加热切地祈求；而且你也能更珍惜自己所久候的恩典。在神还没有赐你喜乐之前，或者在你里面还有一些错误的东西需要除去；或者你对于福音计划的观点不清楚；或者你还有些依靠自己，没有专心一意地倚靠耶稣；或许，神使你稍加等待，为的是在末后向你彰显祂的恩典是多么丰富。你的祷告都记录在天上，倘若没有立即应允，也当然不会被遗忘，只要再稍等片刻就要成全，使你欢乐且满足。不要因失望而缄默不语，却要恒心切切祈求。

十二月九日

经文: 我的百姓必住在……平静的安歇所。（以赛亚书32：18）

平安与安息不属于未重生之人。它们是主的百姓所特别拥有的，也唯独为他们所有。平安之神赐给那些仰赖祂的人完全的平安。人堕落以前，

神赐予伊甸的花丛作他平静的安歇所；可悲的是，罪在顷刻间将这无罪的美好居所摧毁了。在神愤怒的日子中，当洪水冲走了罪恶的人类时，蒙拣选的挪亚一家却在方舟的安歇之所得着平静安稳。方舟载着他们飘离这个被定罪的世界，进入虹和立约的新天地，这立约的虹预表耶稣——我们救恩的方舟。当灭命的天使击杀埃及头生的时候，以色列人安全地安歇在埃及以血作记号的居所内。在旷野中，云柱的影子和流出水的磐石教疲惫的流浪者得到甜美的安息。此刻，我们安歇在信实之神的应许中，知道祂的话充满真理和能力。我们安歇在祂话语的道理中，而祂的话就是安慰。我们安歇在祂恩典之约里，那是喜乐的港湾。我们比在亚杜兰的大卫（见撒上22:1）或在菎麻下的约拿更蒙宠爱，因为没有人能侵入或破坏我们的避难所。耶稣是祂百姓平静的安歇所。当我们在擘饼、在聆听祂的话、在查考圣经、在祷告或赞美中亲近祂时，会发现无论以何法接近祂，平安回到了我们的心灵。

「我听到了你的爱言，我注视你的宝血，

我看见了大能祭物，得以与神和好。

这是永恒的平安，可靠如耶和华之名，

稳固如祂坚立的宝座，亘古永远坚定。

云去云又来，风暴扫过我的蓝天，

这以血封印的友情永不改变，十架就在眼前。」

Scripture: “My people shall dwell in quiet resting

places.”(Isaiah 32:18)

Peace and rest belong not to the unregenerate.They are the special possession of the Lord's people, and for them alone. The God of Peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are fixed upon him. Before man fell, God gave him the flowery bowers of Eden as his quiet resting places; sadly,sin soon blighted the fair abode of innocence. In the day of universal wrath, when the flood swept away a guilty race, the chosen family were quietly secured in the resting-place of the ark, which floated them from the old condemned world into the new earth of the rainbow and the covenant, herein typifying Jesus, the ark of our salvation. Israel rested safely beneath the blood-sprinkled habitations of Egypt when the destroying angel smote the first-born; in the wilderness, the shadow of the pillar of cloud, and the flowing rock gave the weary pilgrims sweet repose. At this hour we rest in the promises of our faithful God, knowing that his words are full of truth and power.We rest in the doctrines of his word, which are consolation itself. We rest in the covenant of his grace, which is a haven of delight. More highly

favoured are we than David in Adullam (see 1 Samuel 22:1) or Jonah beneath his

gourd, for none can invade or destroy our shelter. The person of Jesus is the

quiet resting-place of his people.When we draw near to him in the breaking of

the bread, the hearing of the word, the searching of the Scriptures, prayer, or

praise, we find any form of approach to him to be the return of peace to our

spirits.

“I hear the words of love, I gaze upon the blood,

I see the mighty sacrifice, and I have peace with God.

’Tis everlasting peace, sure as Jehovah's name,

’Tis stable as his steadfast throne, for evermore the same.

The clouds may go and come,

And storms may sweep my sky,

This blood-sealed friendship changes not,

The cross is ever nigh.” 

《竭诚为主》12月9日 天然生命的叛逆

凡属基督耶稣的人，是已经把肉体，连肉体的邪情私欲，同钉在十字架上了。（加五24）

天然生命不是罪恶的，我们必须脱离罪，不再与罪有任何瓜葛。罪属于地狱和魔鬼；我，神的儿女，属于天堂和神。问题不是要放弃罪，而是放弃自己的主权，我天然的独断与自恃，是争战之所在地。天然观点看来善美正确的东西，往往使我们得不着神最好的。天然善行往往是降服于神的拦阻。洞悉这一点，就到了心灵大战的核心。少有人为错失、卑污、邪恶争辩，但却会为善德争辩。善事是至善的对头，天然善行愈高，与耶稣基督的敌对就愈劲。“在基督里的人是把肉体钉在十字架上了。”你要付出天然生命的一切，不是一部分。耶稣说：“人若要作我的门徒，就当舍己。”就是放下自己的主权；人先要认识耶稣基督是谁，才能这样放下。当心，不要拒绝参加你自主权的丧礼。

天然生命不是属灵的，只有献上，才成为属灵。若不彻底把天然生命当祭物献上，超然的生命就无法在我们里面成为天然的。这条不是康庄大道，各人必须下定决心。这也不是祈祷的问题，而是行动的问题。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，我何等肯定自己需要对你有一个更崇高的观念。在这个祈求中，我愿放下所有次要的东西，为了叫自己配去荣耀你。

December 9 The Offence Of The Natural

“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

The natural life is not sinful; we must be apostatized from sin, have nothing to do with sin in any shape or form. Sin belongs to hell and the devil; I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and God. It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought. It is the things that are right and noble and good from the natural stand point that keep us back from God's best. To discern that natural virtues antagonize surrender to God, is to bring our soul into the centre of its greatest battle. Very few of us debate with the sordid and evil and wrong, but we do debate with the good. It is the good that hates the best, and the higher up you get in the scale of the natural virtues, the more intense is the opposition to Jesus Christ. “They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh” – it is going to cost the natural in you everything, not something. Jesus said – “If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself,” i.e., his right to himself, and a man has to realize Who Jesus Christ is before he will do it. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence.

The natural life is not spiritual, and it can only be made spiritual by sacrifice. If we do not resolutely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural in us. There is no royal road there; each of us has it entirely in his own bands. It is not a question of praying, but of performing.

十二月九日 信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

在信的人凡事都能经文:「耶稣对他说：“你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。”」（马可福音9︰23）

我们的不信，是信仰之路上的最大障碍。事实上，除此以外，对于我们灵性的成长和得胜而言，再无其他真正的困难。在主没有难成的事，但是祂订下一条属灵的原则：就是一切按我们的信，为我们成就；我们的不信会束缚全能神的双手。若我们能信，就能粉碎撒但的权势；若能真正相信神的话，那被忽视的真理就会抬头，发扬光大。若我们能用信任之手将平安系在腰间，我们就可处变不惊，庄敬自强，有惊无险地渡过人生的风浪。我们有什么信不来的？难道只有”相信神”这件事做不到？神是永远正确的，为何我们不能相信祂？祂一向说话算话，为何我们不能信靠祂？若我们灵性光景正常，就无需努力苦求信心，因为信靠神，就像孩子信赖父母那样，是一件极为自然的事。最糟糕的是我们可以在一切事上相信神，但是却不能将当下在受的试炼交在祂手中。这真是愚蠢！来吧，我的灵，脱去这不信的罪，把你目前的重担、劳苦愁烦和盼望卸在神的脚前。当这样做时，一切就都成就了。

The "All" of Belief

Scripture: "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).Our unbelief is the greatest hindrance in our way; in fact, there is no other real difficulty as to our spiritual progress and prosperity. The LORD can do everything; but when He makes a rule that according to our faith so shall it be unto us, our unbelief ties the hands of His omnipotence. Yes, the confederacies of evil shall be scattered if we can but believe. Despised truth shall lift its head if we will but have confidence in the God of truth. We can bear our load of trouble or pass uninjured through the waves of distress if we can gird our loins with the girdle of peace, that girdle which is buckled on by the hands of trust. What can we not believe? Is everything possible except believing in God? Yet He is always true; why do we not believe in Him? He is always faithful to His word; why can we not trust Him? When we are in a right state of heart, faith costs no effort: it is then as natural for us to rely upon God as for a child to trust his father. The worst of it is that we can believe God about everything except the present pressing trial. This is folly. Come, my soul, shake off such sinfulness, and trust thy God with the load, the labor, the longing of this present. This done, all is done.

十二月九日

我们常常避免受苦，遇见苦难就忧伤悲恸，求着赶快脱离，无非是我们的心愿意享受安逸，喜爱世界的快乐和世界的幸福。但那些忠于主的人，深深爱神的人，他们不但不愿享受世界的安逸、快乐、幸福，他们反倒情愿放下这些，甘心与基督一同受患难，他们以为基督受患难为享受、为快乐、为幸福。我们看看他们，再看自己受了这一点苦就哭泣、就哀求、就忧愁，真是惭愧得很。

有许多神家忠心的仆人，他们在世界中，不是没有机会升高，不是没有机会富足，不是没有机会享受，但他们放弃一切的机会。就如摩西放弃埃及王宫中的幸福，情愿和神的百姓一同受压迫、受患难。

但以理和他的三个朋友，放弃王的膳食和王的酒，情愿三年的工夫吃素菜、喝白水，为要纪念神的诫命，守神的律法。

保罗放弃世界的名利，连温暖的家庭也不要，情愿受苦、挨打、坐监，天天冒死。

世上的福乐和苦难摆在我们的面前，他们甘心乐意放弃享受，拣选受苦的路，他们为着基督看所受的苦比全世界都宝贵。我们看了他们以后，为自己的一点的苦难还能有力量祷告吗？

他们不是疯狂，他们不是颠倒是非，他们以甜为苦，以苦为甜，原来他们不是顾念所见的，乃是顾念所不见的，因为所见的是暂时的，所不见的是永远的。

「我想现在的苦楚，若比起将来要显于我们的荣耀，就不足介意了。」（罗八18）

《荒漠甘泉》12月9日

「我们这至暂至轻的苦楚，要为我们成就极重无比永远的荣耀。」林后4:17

『要为我们成就』，请注意这句话。许多人常一再问说－－为甚么人生需要流血、流泪！回答在这里：『要为我们成就』－－成就极重无比永远的荣耀。苦难不单教导我们得胜的方法，更教导我们得胜的定律。

有时，喜乐是需要痛苦来产生的。

最使我们得安慰的，乃是；忧愁虽然耽延，到了早晨，是必须离去的。『一宿虽然有哭泣，早晨便必欢呼』（诗30:5）。

－－译自夜间的歌（Songsin the Night）

十二月十日

我们就要和主永远同在。(帖前4：17)

基督与我们的会聚是最甜蜜的事，但那是多么暂短的事呀!一会儿我们的眼看到了他，我们就感到乐不可言，满有荣耀；但又一会儿，我们就看不见他了，因为我们所爱的离开了我们；好像羚羊，或像小鹿奔过了比特(分离)山；他到了香花畦，不再在百合花中牧放群羊。今天我们感到他的赦罪之恩，但是明天他或许使我们受折磨，使我们感到内心有无限的痛疚。你想，如果不在远处看他，而得与他面对面的时候是多么美妙呀!他来到我们心中，并不像一位过客信宿即起行他往，而要永远把我们保抱在他荣耀的怀中。我们并不是暂时看到他，而要用惊异的眼光永远瞻仰救主的荣美，并且世世无尽地崇拜他大爱的奇妙。在天上我们必不受忧虑和罪恶的滋扰，我们的眼不再因哭泣蒙咙昏花，世福不再转移我们属灵的乐趣，无论什么都不能阻拦我们定睛仰望公义的日头。若我们现在得以看到他，就觉得甜美非常，当我们能永远抬眼仰望他的恩面时又是怎样的甜美呀!那时乌云永远不能遮没，我们也永远转眼不看这个困倦而悲惨的世界了!福乐之日啊!你什么时候破晓呀?永远不落的太阳啊!兴起来吧!愿我们永不失去这快乐，我们因此必更加荣耀。若死不过是使我毫无拦阻地与耶稣相交，那么死了就有益处，涓涓黑滴必然被得胜的大海所吞没。

“无论是生是死，总叫基督在我身上照常显大。”

十二月十日

经文: 主就开导她的心。（使徒行传16：14）

吕底亚的悔改归主有许多值得我们关注的地方。这是发生在神所安排的环境中。她是在推雅推喇城“卖紫色布匹”的人(徒16:14)，却刚好来到腓立比，正赶上保罗讲道的时刻。神的安排，就是恩典的助手，引导她来到恰当的地点。此外，恩典预备了她的灵魂来领受祝福——恩上加恩的祝福。虽尚未认识救主，但由于她是犹太妇人，早已了解许多真理，而这正成为她认识耶稣的踏脚石。她的悔改归主发生在她使用蒙恩之道之时。在安息日，她来到一个祷告的地方，在该处祷告蒙垂听。千万不要忽视蒙恩之道。虽然我们不在神的殿中，祂一样可以祝福我们，但是我们有更充分的理由期待祂会在我们与众圣徒相交时赐下祝福。请注意这话：「主就开导她的心。」她并不是自己把心门打开。不是她的祷告做成这事，也不是保罗所做成的。主必须亲自开导人的心去接受那能赐我们心灵平安的事。唯有祂才能将钥匙放入门孔，将其打开并为自己赢得进入的权利。祂是人心的主，因祂是人心的创造者。证明人心已开启的第一个外证是顺服。吕底亚一信耶稣就领了洗。当神的儿女乐意接受救恩而非为了谨守命令的时候，这就是谦卑痛悔之心的甜美记号，他并非是因为害怕定罪之自私心态而被迫接受，而是出于顺服并与主相交的单纯行动。第二个证据是爱，显明在她对使徒的感恩行动上。对圣徒的爱常是真正悔改归主的记号。那些不为基督、不为祂的教会工作的人，实在难以证明他们有敞开的心。主啊，给我一颗永远向祢开放的心。

Scripture: “Whose heart the Lord opened.”(Acts 16:14)

In Lydia's conversion there are many points of interest. It was brought about by providential circumstances. She was a “seller of purple” (Acts 16:14) in the city of

Thyatira; however, just at the right time for hearing Paul, we find her at

Philippi. Providence, the handmaid of grace, led her to the right spot. Again,

grace was preparing her soul for the blessing—grace preparing for grace. She

did not know the Saviour, but as a Jewish woman, she knew many truths which

were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus. Her conversion took

place as she used the means of grace. On the Sabbath she went when prayer was

customarily made, and there prayer was heard. Never neglect the means of grace.

God may bless us when we are not in his house, but we have the greater reason

to hope that he will when we are in communion with his saints. Observe the

words, “Whose heart the Lord opened.” She did not open her own heart. Her

prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The Lord himself must open the

heart, to receive the things which make for our peace. He alone can put the key

into the hole of the door, open it, and gain admittance for himself. He is the

heart's master as he is the heart's maker. The first outward evidence of the

opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was

baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart when a child of God

is willing to obey a command which is not essential to his salvation, that he

does not feel forced to comply with out of a selfish fear of condemnation, but

that is a simple act of obedience and of communion with his Master. The next

evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the

apostles. Love for the saints has always been a mark of the true convert. Those

who do nothing for Christ or his church give but sorry evidence of an “opened”

heart. Lord, give me an opened heart forever.

《竭诚为主》12月10日 献上天然生命

亚伯拉罕有两个儿子，一个是使女生的，一个是自主之妇人生的。（加四22）

保罗在加拉太书这一章中，不是讨论罪的问题，而是讨论天然与属灵二者的关系。天然的必须献上，成为属灵，否则在实际生活上，会产生很大的分歧。为什么神要命定天然生命必须被钉死？神并没有如此命定。这并不是神的命令，而是他许可的旨意。神的命令是要肉体的生命藉顺服成为属灵；因为罪，肉体的生命才必须成为祭品。

亚伯拉罕必须先献上以实玛利，才能献上以撒。不少人想在未治死肉体之先，就献属灵的祭给神。向神献属灵的祭唯一的途径，就是把身体当作活祭献上。成圣不只是脱离罪恶，乃是立志把神所救赎出来的这个自己交付神，是不惜任何代价的。

若不把天然生命献给属灵生命，那肉体生命会嘲弄神儿子在我们里面的生命，而产生一种延续的拉锯战。这是一个不受约束的属灵品性必然的后果。我们走差路，是因为执意不肯在身体、道德及心志上操练管治自己。“作孩子的时候，不受约束”。如今你必须约束自己。否则，你会毁掉整个为神而活的生命。

我们若放任肉体的生命，神就不与它同在；但当我们肯把它放逐出去，决意制服它，神就与它同在，启开活井绿洲，成就对肉体生命的一切应许。

祈祷◆愿你使这一整天，成为甘甜和喜乐的日子。愿你那随心所欲的大能，恩慈地临到我的身心灵，让我们藉此承担今天的一切事情。

December 10 The Offering Of The Natural

“Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.” Galatians 4:22

Paul is not dealing with sin in this chapter of Galatians, but with the relation of the natural to the spiritual. The natural must be turned into the spiritual by sacrifice, otherwise a tremendous divorce will be produced in the actual life. Why should God ordain the natural to be sacrificed? God did not. It is not God's order, but His permissive will. God's order was that the natural should be transformed into the spiritual by obedience; it is sin that made it necessary for the natural to be sacrificed.

Abraham had to offer up Ishmael before he offered up Isaac. Some of us are trying to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God before we have sacrificed the natural. The only way in which we can offer a spiritual sacrifice to God is by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice. Sanctification means more than deliverance from sin, it means the deliberate commitment of myself whom God has saved to God, and that I do not care what it costs.

If we do not sacrifice the natural to the spiritual, the natural life will mock at the life of the Son of God in us and produce a continual swither. This is always the result of an undisciplined spiritual nature. We go wrong because we stubbornly refuse to discipline ourselves, physically, morally or mentally. “I wasn't disciplined when I was a child.” You must discipline yourself now. If you do not, you will ruin the whole of your personal life for God.

God is not with our natural life while we pamper it; but when we put it out in the desert and resolutely keep it under, then God will be with it; and He will open up wells and oases, and fulfill all His promises for the natural.

十二月十日 信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

神是我们的同盟经文:「你若实在听从祂的话，照着我一切所说的去行，我就向你的仇敌作仇敌，向你的敌人作敌人。」（出埃及记23︰22）

主基督行在祂的百姓当中，要祂的百姓认得祂，且服从祂。祂是神的辅政王，替天父发言，我们的责任就是迅速明确地遵行祂的命令。若我们对神的命令置之不理，我们将失去神的应许！若完全地顺服神，这福份将是何等得大！无论是战争或是和平之时，无论是攻、是守，神总是与我们站在同一阵线。为我们祝福的，神也祝福他；咒诅我们的，神也咒诅他。神总是全心全意地与祂的百姓同在，对他们的处境怀有最深切的同情。这对我们而言，是何等令人感激涕零的保护！若我们确知，我们的敌人就是神的敌人，我们自己就无需挂虑忧愁。若耶和华承担我们一切的重担、问题，我们大可将仇敌交在祂的手中，由祂来解决。就我们的利益而言，我们没有敌人；但为了真理与公义的缘故，我们必须穿起军装、走向战场。在这场神圣之战中，我们是与永生神连手克敌，若专心遵行我们主耶稣的命令，祂可以代替我们尽全力迎战仇敌。因此，我们无需惧怕任何人。

God Is Our Ally

Scripture: "But if thou shalt indeed obey His voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries" (Exodus 23:22).

The LORD Christ in the midst of His people is to be acknowledged and obeyed. He is the vice-regent of God and speaks in the Father's name, and it is ours implicitly and immediately to do as He commands. We shall lose the promise if we disregard the precept. To full obedience how large the blessing! The LORD enters into a league with His people, offensive and defensive. He will bless those who bless us and curse those who curse us. God will go heart and soul with His people and enter in deepest sympathy into their position. What a protection this affords us! We need not concern ourselves about our adversaries when we are assured that they have become the adversaries of God. If Jehovah has taken up our quarrel, we may leave the foemen in His hands. So far as our own interest is concerned we have no enemies; but for the cause of truth and righteousness we take up arms and go forth to conflict. In this sacred war we are allied with the eternal God, and if we carefully obey the law of our LORD Jesus, He is engaged to put forth all His power on our behalf. Wherefore we fear no man.

十二月十日

许多事是人不明白的，许多事是人不知道的，在人前面的路程好象隔着一层幔子，在幔子还未撤开之先就不知道、不明白；久远的事不知道，就是明日要有什么新事发生，也不能知道，因此，人生的路程就非常渺茫。但我们有神的人却不在这种光景之中，神在我们心中放上宝贝，将我们人生的锚抛在神那里，使我们的人生不失掉方向，不象随风漂荡的船，没有一定的目标。在我们一切的事上我们都向着神，神就引领我们走在最正直光明的道路中，虽然我们自己不知道我们前面的道路，但我们的神知道。我们的神不但知道我们前面的道路，而且要在我们的路程中保守我们、看顾我们、赐力量给我们，供给我们全路程中的一切需要。

以色列人在旷野行路的时候，神日间用云，夜间用火，不但引领他们，也是保护他们；白天，云如帐棚笼罩着他们，可以遮蔽炎日的暴晒；夜间，火光照明他们的黑暗，可以驱逐旷野的寒冷，更使野兽不敢伤害他们。神不但用云与火引导保护他们，神还迎着他们降下吗哪，流出活水，随时随地为他们有预备；他们在路上不饥也不渴，炎热和寒冷也不伤害他们。我们苦在人生的路程中有信心，我们和世人要有很大的分别。因为那有能力者时刻和我们同行。

神决不能说谎，好叫我们这逃往避难所，持定摆在我们前头指望的人，可以大得勉励；我们有这指望如同灵魂的锚，又坚固又牢靠，且通入幔内。（来六18至19）

日间耶和华的云彩，是在帐幕以上；夜间云中有火，在以色列全家的眼前，在他们所行的路上，都是这样。（出四十38）

《荒漠甘泉》12月10日

我们受患难呢，是为叫你们得安慰……这安慰能叫你们忍受我们所受的那样苦楚。我们为你们所存的盼望是确定的。因为知道你们既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰。林后1:6,7

在你四围有没有甚么人是特别会帮助你，你在试炼中、忧伤中，特别会去向他寻求安慰呢？

这个人每次所说的话，都顶能帮助你，顶合你的需要。你知道他是顶会帮助你，但是你知不知道他怎样会是的呢？

他这样会扎缚人的伤口、擦干人的眼泪，绝非偶然的事，乃是曾出了重大代价的。

如果你去调查他以往的历史，你就会发见他曾受过多少苦难，他曾亲见他喜乐的金碗被摔在地。他曾站在怒潮旁边、烈日之下；但是这一切都是他成为保姆、医生，所必须经历的。

苦难固然顶难忍受；可是底下却隐藏着顶宝贵的教育－－教导我们怎样帮助别人。

所以信徒阿，你不要动怒，你不要咬牙；你只要看见这是训练你成为一个安慰使者的；因此你当甘甘心心在神的旨意里面忍受。

十二月十一日

那召你们的本是信实的，他必成就这事。(帖前5：24)

天堂是我们永远不会犯罪的地方，在那里我们用不到再儆醒防守那永不懈怠的仇敌，因为那里没有试探人的来陷害我们的脚了。恶者不再搅扰，倦者必得安息，天堂乃是“不能玷污”的“基业”，乃是至圣之境，因此十分安全。圣徒在地上有时不也曾尝到过这种属灵安全的喜乐吗?根据神的话，一切与羔羊联合的人都是安全的；一切正直的人都必持守自己的道路；一切将自己的灵魂交托基督保守的人，必然知道他是一位信实而不变的保全者。我们既有这真道扶持我们，虽然还在地上也能享受这安全了；这崇高而荣耀的安全，不仅是保守我们不致失足的安全，这神圣的安全乃是出于耶稣的可靠应许。他曾说，信他的人必不灭亡，并且说他在哪里，他们也必在那里。信徒啊!愿我们常常因着圣徒必然得蒙保全的真道欢喜快乐，并因信尊崇我们神的信实。

愿神使你彻底了解在基督耶稣里得以安全的意义!愿他使你确知你的名已经铭刻在他的手上；愿他在你的耳边轻声说道：“不要怕，因我与你同在。”要仰望诚信真实的新约的中保，好使他在神的宝座前代表天家中最软弱的你，和一切蒙选的族类；你这样默想其中的意义，就必尝到主杯中的美酒和乐园中的佳果。若你坚信“那召你们的本是信实的，他必成就这事”，你就必尝到那在天上已经得以完全之圣徒的灵魂所享受的福乐滋味。

十二月十一日

经文: 你们所事奉的乃是主基督。（歌罗西书3：24）

这些话是向哪一阶层的人说的呢？向那些骄傲地自夸有神的权柄去统治人的国王吗？不，他们常常事奉自己或撒但，而忘记是神的怜悯让他们登上人间的王座。使徒是向那些所谓「在神里面虔敬的神父」、主教、或副主教说的吗？不，其实保罗并不知道这些人造的头衔。保罗甚至也不是向牧师和教师、或我们信徒中有财富、有地位的人说的，他是向仆人、向奴隶说的。使徒保罗的发现，就像我们至今所看到的，一些主所拣选的人，在劳苦大众——雇工、劳工、家庭仆役，厨房苦力当中。他向他们说：「无论作什么，都要从心里作，像是给主作的，不是给人作的，因你们知道从主那里必得着基业为赏赐。你们所事奉的乃是主基督。」（西三：23～24）这话教在地上受雇出卖劳力的得到尊崇，并为最卑微的职业增添光辉。为人洗脚可能是卑贱的工作，但是能为主洗脚却是尊贵的工作。为人解鞋带是可怜的工作，但是能为伟大的主解鞋带却是王子般的特权。当人为 神的荣耀去工作时，商店、谷仓、厨房都成为圣殿！服事 神不是某些时候或某些地方的事，乃是全部生命在主面前成为圣洁。任何场所、任何事物都可以像会幕和其中的金灯台一样圣洁。

我的神我的王啊，在你所见的一切事上教导我；

愿我所做的一切都是为你。

有你的分担，没什么会变得艰难，

因你的缘故，一切皆成为光辉灿烂。

侍奉主的仆人，他的苦差成为神圣；

尊崇你律法的仆人，即使只是打扫房间，

他的行为也是美好纯正。

Scripture: “Ye serve the Lord Christ.”(Colossians 3:24)

To what choice group of officials was this word spoken? To kings who proudly boast adivine right? No, too often do they serve themselves or Satan and forget the God whose mercy permits them to wear their mock majesty for their little hour. Speaks then the apostle to those so-called “right reverend fathers in God,” the bishops or “the venerable archdeacons”? No, indeed, Paul knew nothing of these mere inventions of man. Not even to pastors and teachers or to the wealthy and esteemed among believers was this word spoken, but to servants, yes, and to slaves. Among the toiling multitudes -- the journeymen, the day labors, the domestic servants, the drudges of the kitchen -- the apostle found, as we find still, some of the Lord's chosen.To them he said, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24). This saying

ennobles the weary routine of earthly employment and shines a halo around the

most humble occupations. To wash feet may be servile, but to wash his feet is

royal work. To untieshoelaces is a poor job, but to unloose the great Master's

shoe is a princely privilege. The shop, the barn, and the kitchen become

temples when men and women do all to the glory of God! Divine service is not a

thing of a few hours and a few places, but all life becomes holiness unto the

Lord.Every place and thing may be as consecrated as the tabernacle and its

golden candlestick.

Teach me, my God and King, in all things thee to see;

And what I do in anything to do it as to thee.

All may of thee partake, nothing can be so mean,

Which with this tincture, for thy sakes,,

Makes that and the action fine.

《竭诚为主》12月11日 个性

若有人要跟从我，就当舍己。（太十六24）

个性是个人生命的外壳，会拒人千里之外，又会把人隔离。不错，个性是每个人的特质，但若错把个性当作个人生命的话，我们只会一直与人隔绝。个性是神创造的天然保障，为覆庇生命的外衣。但是若要生命与神相交，则必须放下我们的个性。个性会冒充性格，正如情欲冒充爱情。神造人的天性，是为他自己；而个性却把人的天性低贬成只为自己。

个性的特征，就是独立自主、自我表现。最拦阻属灵生命的，是个性不断涌流。你若说“我不相信”，是因为个性的拦阻。个性永不会相信。反之，性格却不能不信。圣灵在你身上作工时，会把你推到个性的尽头处，这时你只能说“我不愿”；或降服于神，打破个性的外壳，让个人生命流出来。圣灵每次往往集中在一件事上（参太五23-24）。叫你不肯与弟兄和好的，就是你的个性。神要你与他联合，可是你若不肯放下自己的主权，就无法实现。“就当舍己”－－舍弃自己独立的主权，这样，真正的生命才有生长的机会。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，我的主人，愿我今天自觉地属于你，以致我与你在一起。因着你拥有了我而充满了童真的喜悦。

December 11 Individuality

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” Matthew 16:24

Individuality is the husk of the personal life. Individuality is all elbows, it separates and isolates. It is the characteristic of the child and rightly so; but if we mistake individuality for the personal life, we will remain isolated. The shell of individuality is God's created natural covering for the protection of the personal life; but individuality must go in order that the personal life may come out and be brought into fellowship with God. Individuality counterfeits personality as lust counterfeits love. God designed human nature for Himself; individuality debases human nature for itself.

The characteristics of individuality are independence and self-assertiveness. It is the continual assertion of individuality that hinders our spiritual life more than anything else. If you say – “I cannot believe,” it is because individuality is in the road; individuality never can believe. Personality cannot help believing. Watch yourself when the Spirit of God is at work. He pushes you to the margins of your individuality, and you have either to say – “I shan't,” or to surrender, to break the husk of individuality and let the personal life emerge. The Holy Spirit narrows it down every time to one thing (cf. Matthew 5:23-24). The thing in you that will not be reconciled to your brother is your individuality. God wants to bring you into union with Himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to yourself He cannot. “Let him deny himself” – deny his independent right to himself, then the real life has a chance to grow.

十二月十一日 信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

信心与行为

经文:「你当倚靠耶和华而行善，住在地上，以祂的信实为粮。」（诗篇37︰3）

信心与行为总是相辅相成，按照圣灵所设定的次序携手并行。我们必须先有“信心”，接着必有“行为”紧跟而出。对神的倚靠让我们能做美好的事工：我们相信神的美善，相应地，我们可以行善。因着我们信靠神，我们不会坐在那里不动，我们会期盼自己被神所用。我们不会在那儿担忧或做恶，我们会信靠神并行善。我们不只会信靠神，却没有行动表现，也不会光有外在的行为，却没有内心的信靠。若是可以，仇敌深愿将我们连根拔起；但因着信靠和行善，我们就得以住在地上。我们不会再进入埃及，反之，我们要留在以马内利之地——神在圣约之爱中所命定的迦南美地。我们并不如仇敌所想象的，那么容易就被驱逐出去。在神给我们名分和疆界之地，仇敌绝对不能将我们撵出或赶走。至于我们日用所需的呢?在这个应许中，主放了“信实”二字。神是信实的，祂的百姓必一无所缺。百姓的责任是信靠神并用行动彰显出来，按他们的信靠为他们成就是主的责任。或许不是叫乌鸦叼肉，或叫俄巴底奉养，或叫寡妇供应，但无论怎样，祂总是让祂的百姓样样不缺。远离我，各样的忧愁！

Trust and Do; Do and Trust

Scripture: "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed" (Psalm 37:3).

Trust and do are words which go well together, in the order in which the Holy Spirit has placed them. We should have faith, and that faith should work. Trust in God sets us upon holy doing: we trust God for good, and then we do good. We do not sit still because we trust, but we arouse ourselves and expect the LORD to work through us and by us. It is not ours to worry and do evil but to trust and do good. We neither trust without doing nor do without trusting. Adversaries would root us out if they could; but by trusting and doing we dwell in the land. We will not go into Egypt, but we will remain in Immanuel's land-the providence of God, the Canaan of covenant love. We are not so easily to be got rid of as the LORD's enemies suppose. They cannot thrust us out nor stamp us out: where God has given us a name and a place, there we abide. But what about the supply of our necessities? The LORD has put a "verily" into this promise. As sure as God is true, His people shall be fed. It is theirs to trust and to do, and it is the LORD's to do according to their trust. If not fed by ravens, or fed by an Obadiah, or fed by a widow, yet they shall be fed somehow. Away, ye fears!

十二月十一日

犹太人所受的一切灾祸，从他们有国以来，都是因为他们作恶得罪神。世人受灾祸也不例外，都是因为犯罪。洪水的世代，所多玛的时候，都是因为他们过犯滔天、罪恶满盈。世人最大的罪就是不认识神，把神变为偶像，甚至于硬说没有神。末世的灾祸特别大，就是因为末世的人敌挡神特别厉害。

既然灾祸是对着罪来的，要免掉灾祸唯一的方法是逃避犯罪，基是有罪在身就不能逃出刑罚。灾祸未到是神给人悔改的机会，神并不乐意把灾祸降给世人，乃愿意人人都悔改得救，只是世人不肯悔改。

教会在世界中当更站在圣洁蒙爱的地位上，不当与世人一同犯罪，就不受世人所受的灾祸；但教会不与世人一同犯罪，却一定要受到世人的逼迫，这就是圣徒应该选择的时候：我是愿意违背神、得人的欢心、免去逼迫而遭遇灾祸并且失去将来的荣耀呢？还是愿意违背人、得神的喜悦、受逼迫、免去灾祸而得着永远的荣耀呢？把这两件事放在你的天平中称一称，你拣选那一方面呢？我想凡是爱主的圣徒都要放弃前者而拣选后者。宁可失去人的欢喜，要讨神的喜悦，宁可受逼迫而免去灾祸，宁可放下世界而得着永远的荣耀。

然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你容让那自称是先知的妇人耶洗别教导我的仆人，引诱他们行奸淫，吃祭偶像之物。我曾给他悔改的机会，他却不肯悔改他的淫行。看哪！我要叫他病卧在床，那些与他行淫的人，若不悔改所行的，我也要叫他们同受大患难。我又要杀死他的党类，叫众教会知道，我是那察看人肺腑心肠的；并要照你们的行为报应你们各人。（启二20至23）

《荒漠甘泉》12月11日

「耶和华的仆人，夜间站在耶和华殿中的……愿造天地的耶和华，从锡安赐福给你们。」诗134:1,3

『夜间站在耶和华殿中』－－在忧伤中敬拜神－－实在是一件困难的事情。是的，是困难的，可是里面蕴藏着祝福。

我们在夏日阳光中－－空中充满了音乐，树上结满了果子的时候－－敬拜神，是一件容易的事情。

但是当小鸟的歌声停止了，树上的果子下坠了，我们的心能不能继续歌唱呢？

我们愿不愿意做夜间站在耶和华殿中的呢？

我们会不会再爱祂呢？

我们肯不肯在客西马尼同祂儆醒片时呢？

我们肯不肯作古利奈人西门去背祂的十字架呢？

我们肯不肯在祂临死的时候和马利亚并祂所爱的那门徒一同站在祂旁边呢？

我们，肯不肯和尼哥底母一同带着没药和沉香去安葬死的基督呢？

亲爱的，如果你肯，愿造天地的耶和华，从锡安赐福给你！

－－马德胜（Geo.Matheson）

十二月十二日

他的作为永远一样。(改译)(哈3：6)

他这次怎样行，下次也必怎样行；人的作为常改变，神的作为却永远一样；有很多理由可以解释这一个安慰人的真理。谨胪列于下：神的作为是慎思熟虑的结果；一切事情都按着他的智慧和旨意安排得井井有序。人类的行事常是出于一时感情或惧怕的冲动，过后便继之以后悔和更变；但一切事都不能使全能者大惊失色，也没有一件事出乎他的预料之外。他的作为是出于他永不改变的品性，从他的作为就可以清清楚楚地看明神的性情。除非永存者自己也有改变，否则他的作为，就是那彰显他自己的行事，必永远不变；他是永远公义、恩惠、信实、智慧、慈祥的吗?那末他的行事也必清楚地表现出这些高贵的品性来。行事与性情相符，性情改变，行事也必改变；但神既然连转动的影儿也没有，那末他的行事必然永远一致。再者，从外面说来并没有一种理由可以转变神的作为的，因为他的作为乃是出于他不能加以反抗的大能；先知说当耶和华出来拯救他百姓的时候，江河分开大地，山岭战惧，深渊举手，日月都在本宫停住。谁能止住他的手，对他说：你作的是什么昵?但并非仅因他的大能而稳固不移，神的作为乃是永久真确之原则的表现，因此必不能过时。错谬至终必然败亡毁灭，但真与善的活力永远也不会减缩的。今晨愿我们存信来到天父面前，切记耶稣基督昨日、今日直到永远是一样的，神必永远在他里面施恩于他的百姓。

十二月十二日

经文: 他们向耶和华行事诡诈。（何西阿书5：7）

信徒啊，这是一件可悲的事实！你是主所爱、蒙祂的宝血救赎、藉恩典蒙召、在基督耶稣内得保守、「被接纳于爱子之中」（弗1:6)，并向天国迈进的，但是，你却以「诡诈」待神。祂是你最好的朋友；你以诡诈对耶稣，而你应当是属祂的；又以诡诈对圣灵，藉祂你复活至永远的生命！在你一切的誓言和承诺之中你是何等的诡诈！还记得你起初的爱，那快乐的时光──你的灵命的春天吗？那时，你与你的主是何等亲密啊！你曾说：「祂永不会冷漠的指责我。在服事祂的工作中，我的脚步永不怠惰，我必不让我的心被其它的爱吸引。在祂里面有充足的甜密。我要为我主耶稣的缘故放弃一切。」果真如此吗？可悲的是，若你的良心能说话，它要说：「他的承诺众多，行动却寡。他的祷告常常稀少，简短不甜美、简单又不热情。他忘记了与基督相交。他应该有属天的思想，却只关心肉体之事、世界的虚浮和邪恶的念头。他应该事奉，却不愿顺服。他应当热诚，却不冷不热；应当忍耐，却诸多怨言；应当有信心，却信靠「血肉的膀臂」(历代志下32:8）。作为十字架的战士，却懦弱、不顺从、甚至可耻地背弃主。」你以诡诈待耶稣！该说什么来谴责此等行径？言语收效甚微。但愿我们带着悔罪的意念驱逐那些确实在我们里面的罪。哦，主耶稣！我们竟以诡诈对待你的伤痕！宽恕我们，让我们不要再犯罪！祂永不忘记我们，更佩戴刻有我们的名字的胸牌侍立在永远的宝座前，而我们竟以诡诈待祂，这是何等的可耻！

Scripture: “They have dealt treacherously against the Lord.”(Hosea 5:7)

Believer, here is a sorrowful truth! Thou art the beloved of the Lord, redeemed by blood, called by grace, preserved in Christ Jesus, “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6), on thy way to heaven, and yet, “thou hast dealt treacherously” with God, thy best friend; treacherously with Jesus, whose thou art; treacherously with the Holy

Spirit, by whom thou hast been quickened unto life eternal! How treacherous you

have been in the matter of vows and promises! Do you remember your first love,

that happy time—the springtime of your spiritual life? Oh, how closely did you

cling to your Master then! saying, “He shall never charge me with indifference.My feet shall never grow slow in the way of his service. I will not permit my heart to wander after other loves.In him is every store of inexpressible sweetness. I give all up for my Lord Jesus’ sake.” Has it been so? Sadly, if conscience speaks, it will say, “He who promised so well has performed most poorly. Prayer has oftentimes been neglected. It has been short, but not sweet; brief, but not fervent. Communion with Christ has been forgotten. Instead of a heavenly mind, there have been carnal cares, worldly vanities and thoughts of evil. Instead of service, there has been disobedience; instead of fervency, lukewarmness; instead of patience, petulance; instead of faith, confidence in an “arm of flesh” (2 Chron. 32:8).As a soldier of the cross, there has been cowardice, disobedience, and desertion to a very shameful degree. “Thou hast dealt treacherously.” Treachery to Jesus! What words shall be used in denouncing it? Words avail little.Let our penitent thoughts denounce the sin which is so surely in us. We have been treacherous to thy wounds, O Jesus! Forgive us, and let us not sin again! How shameful to be treacherous to him who never forgets us, but who this day stands with our names engraved on his breastplate before the eternal throne.

《竭诚为主》12月12日 性格

使他们合而为一，像我们合而为一。（约十七22）

性格就是指我们与别人不同的特质，是独特的，难以估量的，就连我们自己也往往不尽了解。海上的小岛，往往是大山顶尖。性格就如小岛，至于底下的奥秘，我们一无所知，因此便无法衡量自己。我们自以为自知，但最终才知道只有一位明白我们，就是造我们的神。

性格是属灵生命的特质，正如个性是天然生命的特质。我们只能以性格，而断不能以个别性和独立性来说明主的身份。“我与父原为一。”性格是可以融合的，只有当你与别人融合，才显出你真正身份。当爱或是神的灵激动一个人，他就会改变，不再坚持自己分隔的个别性。主从不按个性，也就是人与人隔离的身份说话，他只提到性格－－“使他们合而为一，像我们合而为一”。你若把自己的主权放弃给神，你性格的真本质就立刻向神呼应。耶稣基督把人的性格释放了，而人的个性也随之改变。改变的元素是爱，就是个人对主耶稣的忠诚。爱是人格的倾出，与另一个人格相通契合。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，这是你的日子，我祈求你以你那极大的恩福施恩给我。能够靠近你是何等的奇妙！

December 12 Personality

“That they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:22

Personality is that peculiar, incalculable thing that is meant when we speak of ourselves as distinct from everyone else. Our personality is always too big for us to grasp. An island in the sea may be but the top of a great mountain. Personality is like an island, we know nothing about the great depths underneath, consequently we cannot estimate ourselves. We begin by thinking that we can, but we come to realize that there is only one Being Who understands us, and that is our Creator.

Personality is the characteristic of the spiritual man as individuality is the characteristic of the natural man. Our Lord can never be defined in terms of individuality and independence, but only in terms of personality, “I and My Father are one.” Personality merges, and you only reach your real identity when you are merged with another person. When love, or the Spirit of God strikes a man, he is transformed, he no longer insists upon his separate individuality. Our Lord never spoke in terms of individuality, of a man's “elbows” or his isolated position, but in terms of personality – “that they may be one, even as We are one.” If you give up your right to yourself to God, the real true nature of your personality answers to God straight away. Jesus Christ emancipates the personality, and the individuality is transfigured; the transfiguring element is love, personal devotion to Jesus. Love is the outpouring of one personality in fellowship with another personality.

十二月十二日信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

安静的心经文:「你们得力在乎平静安稳。」（以赛亚书30︰15）

若是烦躁、忧虑、疑惑、不信，就会一直软弱。即使我们烦恼到形销骨立，又有什么用呢？我们会因恐惧、愤怒，而得到什么吗？难道我们不是在让我们自己无法行动，不能做出明智的决定吗？在我们本可以凭信心顺流直下时，我们却因着我们的挣扎而沉沦。喔，我们需要神的恩典，赐我们一颗安静的心。为什么要挨家挨户地去诉苦呢？在我们诉苦时，这只会让我们的心越来越沉闷。为什么要把自己关在家里，为可能永远都不会发生的不幸的预感而痛苦哀哭呢？能止住舌头是好的，但远胜于此的是能有一颗安静的心。要安静，要知道耶和华是神。 喔，我们需要神的恩典，让我们对神有信心。以色列的圣者，必要保护属祂的民，并释放他们的捆绑。祂必不违背祂神圣的誓言，即使高山挪移，祂所说的每一句话，都安定在天。祂值得我们信赖；若我们显示我们的信心并在祂面前静默无声，我们必要像在祂宝座前的天使那样快乐。来吧，我的灵，靠在主的怀里，享受属天的安息吧！

A Quiet Heart

Scripture: "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15).

It is always weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mis-trusting. What can we do if we wear ourselves to skin and bone? Can we gain anything by fearing and fuming? Do we not unfit ourselves for action and unhinge our minds for wise decision? We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith. Oh, for grace to be quiet! Why run from house to house to repeat the weary story which makes us more and more heart-sick as we tell it? Why even stay at home to cry out in agony because of wretched forebodings which may never be fulfilled? It would be well to keep a quiet tongue, but it would be far better if we had a quiet heart. Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God!Oh, for grace to be confident in God! The holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. He cannot run back from His solemn declarations. We may make sure that every word of His will stand though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in; and if we would display confidence and consequent quietness, we might be as happy as the spirits before the throne.Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus.

十二月十二日

各样的事都发出警告，「主快来了！」在主快要来的这一段时期中，是黑暗最稠密的时候，是充满各样艰难的时候。民要攻打民，国要攻打国，多处必有饥荒、地震和不法的事增多，在这一切之外，圣徒又多了逼迫、杀害、被万民恨恶，和假先知、假基督的引诱和迷惑。这是主亲口说的。（太二十四6至10）

圣徒不应当再打盹睡觉了，应当站起来，挺身昂首等候主来。我们不是用这许多事来恐吓自己，我们应当遵守主的话来应付一切。对于世界的灾祸根本不用害怕，如果我们不与世人一同有罪，就不受他们所受的灾殃。但对于逼迫杀害和引诱迷惑，主却告诉我们应付的方法。对于逼迫杀害没有别的方法，惟有忍耐到底；（太二十四13）对于引诱迷惑要谨慎。（太二十四4）至于灾祸不用怕，因为不是为我们预备的；逼迫也不用怕，因为它是为我们预备荣耀和冠冕的；神若叫我们遇见逼迫，神必在我们心中加足了力量，使我们得胜。独有对于假先和、假基督的引诱迷惑，是应当警惕的，若是受了他们的迷惑，现在与将来都要受极大的亏损；如果受了他们的迷惑，在他们的罪中有分，今生就要受他们所受的灾祸，将来还要失掉荣耀和奖赏。对患难，主说：「不用怕。」对逼迫，主说：「忍耐到底。」惟有引诱和迷惑是我们的大仇敌。主说：「要儆醒祷告。」

然而有几件事我要责备你，因为在你那里，有人服从了巴兰的教训；这巴兰曾教导巴勒将绊脚石放在以色列人面前，叫他们吃祭偶像之物，行奸淫的事。你那里也有人照样服从了尼哥拉一党人的教训。所以你当悔改；若不悔改，我就快临到你那里，用我口中的剑，攻击他们。圣灵向教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听。（启二14至17）

《荒漠甘泉》12月12日

我离世的时候到了。那美好的仗我已经打过了。当跑的路我已经跑尽了。所信的道我已经守住了。提后4:6,7

军人到了年老在家退休的时候，最喜欢谈讲战埸上的经历，也最喜欢把他们的伤痕指给人看；我们也是这样，当我们到了天家的时候，一定也最喜欢述说神的良善，神的信实，神怎样带领我们经过路上一切的试炼。

我们喜不喜欢站在穿白衣的中间，听见说：『这些人......除了一个......都是从大患难中出来的呢』？

你喜不喜欢在那里有人这样指着你说呢？一定不罢！今天我们能有分于患难，已经可以叫我们知足了；因为不久我们就要头戴冠冕，手拿棕树枝了。

－－司布真（C.H. Spurgeon）

神不会到你身上去找奖章、学位、文凭；祂却会去找伤痕。

一个属神的人所能寻求的最光荣的勋章，乃是因事奉而受到的伤痕，因冠冕而受到的损失，因基督而受到的耻辱，因工作而受到的耗损。

－－选

　十二月十三日

盐不计其数，也要给他。(拉7：22)

每一种献与耶和华的祭物都得用盐，盐具有保存和洁净的功效，所以真好比神所给人的恩典。亚达薛西王赐盐给祭司以斯拉的时候并没有限定数量，这实在是值得我们注意的；我们也确实知道当万王之王赐恩给属他的君尊的祭司时也是如此，他必不减少他的恩典的供应。我们常是自己缺乏，但神是永远不会缺少什么的；拾取吗哪的人可随意拾取，要拾多少就可以拾多少；耶路撒冷绝无饥荒，它的居民不必按分两吃饼，不必按制子喝水(参结4：16)。恩典当中也有一些是按分量的。譬如说神把醋和苦胆给我们乃是正合我们所需，绝不会多一点滴的；但是恩典的盐却没有限定，“无论求什么，我必成就。”父母常把糖果锁在橱里，但是盐却用不到锁起来，因为没有一个孩子贪吃盐的。一个人可以得到很多的金钱或尊荣，但是他却未必能得到很多的恩典。耶书仑渐渐肥胖，就用脚踢造他的神，但是却用不到怕一个人多得恩典：恩典过多是不可能的。金钱多，忧虑也多；但恩典多，快乐也多。信徒啊!要到神的宝座前多祈求天上的盐。盐必调和你所受的苦难，因为若无盐，就没有滋味；盐必保存你的心，如果没有盐就必败坏；并且盐也能治死你的罪，正如盐能杀死巨大的爬虫和细菌一样。你的需要很多，因此要多求，就必多得。

“永远举起耶稣，赞美主不歇，一切在耶稣里，主是我一切。”

十二月十三日

经文: 我要用红宝石建造你的楼台。（以赛亚书54：12现代中文译本）（楼台：英译为Windows (KJV)）

教会象征着神的手艺设计、以祂的大能建造的建筑物。这属灵的建筑不可昏暗，因以色列人的居所有亮光。必须有楼台（或作窗户）使光线可以透入，同时也使里面的人可以观察外界。这些楼台如红宝石般珍贵。教会应当以最高的敬意来看她的主、天国、以及属灵真理。信心是其中的珍贵红宝石楼台，但却常常是模糊朦胧的，以致我们只能看见昏暗，并错误的理解我们所见的。即使我们无法透过晶莹的窗户凝视并认识基督，像祂认识我们这般（见哥林多前书13：12），然而只要能透过模糊朦胧之红宝石窗户仰望“全然可爱”的基督（雅歌5:16），也仍是荣耀的事。经历是另一座暗淡却宝贵的楼台，泄进一道柔弱的信仰之光，在那光中我们见到忧患之子因我们的罪而受苦难。我们软弱的双目不能承受透明玻璃窗所射入的主的荣光，但是当眼睛因流泪而暗淡时，公义之太阳的光束变为缓和，然后它以柔和的光辉透过红宝石的窗户，这对于受试炼的心灵是一种无法形容的安慰。成圣，是另一种红宝石的楼台，它将我们改变，以至有主的形象。唯有我们成为属天的人，才能明白属天的事物。清心的人才能见到纯净的神。那些像耶稣的人才能见到祂的本像。因为我们如此的不像他，楼台是暗淡的；又因为我们与祂有几分相像，楼台为红宝石的。我们为已经拥有的感谢神，并渴慕得着更多。我们何时能面对面的见到神，耶稣，天堂与真理？

Scripture: “I will make thy windows of agates.”(Isaiah 54:12)

The church is most instructively symbolized by a building erected by heavenly power and designed by divine skill. Such a spiritual house must not be dark, for the Israelites had light in their dwellings; there must therefore be windows to let the light in and to allow the inhabitants to gaze outside. These windows are precious as agates.The ways in which the church beholds her Lord and heaven, and spiritual truth in general, are to be held in the highest esteem. Agates are not the most transparent of gems.They are but semi-transparent at best. “Our knowledge of that life is small,Our eye of faith is dim.” Faith is one of these precious agate windows, but it is often so misty and cloudy that we see but dimly, and we mistake much that we do see. Yet if we cannot gaze through windows of diamonds and know even as we are known (see 1 Corinthians 13:12), it is a glorious thing  to behold the One who is “altogether lovely” (Song 5:16), even though the glass is as hazy as the agate. Experience is another of these dim but precious windows, yielding to us a subdued religious light, in which we see the

sufferings of the Man of Sorrows through our own afflictions. Our weak eyes

could not endure windows of transparent glass to let in the Master's glory, but

when they are dimmed with weeping, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness are

tempered.Then they shine through the windows of agate with a soft radiance that

is inexpressibly soothing to tempted souls. Sanctification, as it conforms us

to our Lord, is another agate window. Only as we become heavenly can we

comprehend heavenly things. The pure in heart see a pure God. Those who are

like Jesus see him as he is. Because we are so little like him, the window is

but agate; because we are somewhat like him, it is agate. We thank God for what

we have, and we long for more. When shall we see God and Jesus, and heaven and truth, face to face?

《竭诚为主》12月13日 求什么？

常常祷告，不可灰心。（路十八1）

你若不深信救赎的实在，就无法代求；因为你只会把代求变成对人类无可奈何的同情，徒增人的自满自足，与神隔绝。代求，是把激动你心的那个人或事，带到神面前，直到你被神对那人那事的态度所推动。代求是“补满基督患难的缺欠”，无怪乎代求的人那么少。很多人说代求是“设身处地的为那人着想”，不！代求其实是把自己放在神的位置上，从他的角度看事物。

作为一个神的工人，你所知道的实情是神要你知道的，否则便会重压难当。知得过多，过于神要你知道的，你就无法祷告；因人的景况把你压下去，以致你不能进入现实去。

我们的工作是在凡事上与神联系，可是我们却因做个活跃不已的工人，而推卸这个职责。我们拼命做一些可统计的工作，但不做代求的工作。代求是完全没有缠绕网罗的，因为可使我们与神的关系完全敝开。

代求时要当心的，就是不要草草了事。心灵必须着实地接触神的生命。试想神在我们生命的路途上，叫我们遇见多少的人，而我们却轻易的让他们溜走。若我们踏稳在救赎的根基上祷告，神就会创造除代求以外无法成就的新事。

祈祷◆主啊，愿你高举我，使我靠近你，以致你那完美的闪耀着喜乐的救恩，能为着你的荣耀而临到我和照亮我。求你保守我，让我向你的代求通行无阻。

December 13 What To Pray For

“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1

You cannot intercede if you do not believe in the reality of the Redemption; you will turn intercession into futile sympathy with human beings which will only increase their submissive content to being out of touch with God. In intercession you bring the person, or the circumstance that impinges on you before God until you are moved by His attitude towards that person or circumstance. Intercession means filling up “that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ,” and that is why there are so few intercessors. Intercession is put on the line of – “Put yourself in his place.” Never! Try to put yourself in God's place.

As a worker, be careful to keep pace with the communications of reality from God or you will be crushed. If you know too much, more than God has engineered for you to know, you cannot pray, the condition of the people is so crushing that you cannot get through to reality.

Our work lies in coming into definite contact with God about everything, and we shirk it by becoming active workers. We do the things that can be tabulated but we will not intercede. Intercession is the one thing that has no snares, because it keeps our relationship with God completely open.

The thing to watch in intercession is that no soul is patched up, a soul must get through into contact with the life of God. Think of the number of souls God has brought about our path and we have dropped them! When we pray on the ground of Redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.

十二月十三日信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

夜尽天明经文: 「到了晚上才有光明。」（撒迦利亚书14︰7）

照理说，黄昏过后，夜幕低垂，暮色将越来越浓，但神的作为却令人惊异不已，远高于我们的敬畏和期盼，叫人不禁涌出喟叹，开口赞美祂至高无上的权能。不，事情不会像我们所预想的那样发生：夜的黑暗不会深沉至子夜，而是将突然间亮如白昼。让我们永远不要灰心失望。在最悲惨的时刻，让我们仰赖主，祂能把死亡阴影般的幽暗，转化成灿烂的黎明。当法老王苦待为奴的以色列民，将做砖的数目加倍时，摩西就出现了；当苦难达到顶点时，考验也差不多到了尽头。这个应许可加强我们的耐性：直到一整天的等待毫无结果，我们的希望几乎耗尽时，亮光才会完全降临。对恶人而言，即使在白天，也会浮云蔽日；对义人而言，即使在黑夜，也有旭日当空。虽然夜是这样深、这样暗，我们难道不当以耐心等待天国的亮光，并相信这难熬的等待是值得的吗？来吧！我的灵，谨记这节经文，且向神唱新歌。无论我们或生或死，这位神都会在最恰当的时刻，以超过我们所求所想，无与伦比的奇妙方式赐福予我们。

Evening Brightens into Day

Scripture: "It shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:7).

It is a surprise that it should be so; for all things threaten that at evening time it shall be dark. God is wont to work in a way so much above our fears and beyond our hopes that we are greatly amazed and are led to praise His sovereign grace. No, it shall not be with us as our hearts are prophesying: the dark will not deepen into midnight, but it will, of a sudden, brighten into day. Never let us despair. In the worst times let us trust in the LORD who turneth the darkness of the shadow of death into the morning. When the tale of bricks is doubled Moses appears, and when tribulation abounds it is nearest its end. This promise should assist our patience. The light may not fully come till our hopes are quite spent by waiting all day to no purpose. To the wicked the sun goes down while it is yet day: to the righteous the sun rises when it is almost night. May we not with patience wait for that heavenly light, which may be long in coming but is sure to prove itself well worth waiting for?Come, my soul, take up thy parable and sing unto Him who will bless thee in life and in death, in a manner surpassing all that nature has ever seen when at its best.

十二月十三日

雅各看见约瑟被血染的衣服，就大大悲伤；「有恶兽把他吃了，约瑟被撕碎了！」雅各撕裂衣服，腰间围麻布，为他儿子悲哀了多日，他的儿女都起来安慰他，他却不肯受安慰。他说：「我必悲哀着下阴间到我儿子那里。」雅各的悲哀真是可怜，是悲哀所无的事，原来他儿子没叫恶兽撕裂，后来在埃及作了宰相，得了大权柄和尊荣，他却在家中天天悲哀，并且要悲哀下到阴间。若是雅各知道他儿子作了宰相，他在家中一定不哭。

今天我们也是这样，为这样事惧怕，为那样事忧虑，甚至哭泣悲哀，但多少时候所惧怕的，所忧虑的，所哭泣的，所悲哀的，都是空的，象雅各一样白白地自取烦恼，其实一样也没遇见，一样也没碰到。

有时我们所亲爱的人先离开了世界，我们的心不肯接受主的安慰，真是要悲哀地和死人一同下坟墓。有一天我们要在荣耀里见着他：「你在这里是这样快乐享福吗？你是在这样光明圣洁的地方吗？我若早知道，我何必为你哭了多日不肯受安慰呢？罢了！罢了！是我太愚昧了。我是自取烦恼。」

雅各虽然将约瑟所告诉他的梦存在心里，他却没有信心与神的异象调合，因此就空悲哀一场，我们的一切哭泣悲哀也是因为我们的信心不够，不信神在圣经中所告诉我们的一切话。

我留下平安给你们，我将我的平安赐给你们；我所赐的，不象世人所赐的；你们心里不要忧愁，也不要胆怯。（约十四27）

《荒漠甘泉》12月13日

「我要将暗中宝物……赐给你。」赛45:3

在勃鲁赛尔（Brussels）有几家著名的花边店，他们有几间特别的房间，专门为纺织最精致、最优美的花边用的。这些房间是全黑的，只从一扇极小的窗外射进一线日光来，这一线日光恰正照在花样上面。引导我们参观的那位告诉我们说；『最上等的出产就是这样得到的。最优美的花边，都是工人坐在黑暗中织成的。』

我们不也这样么？有时，环境非常黑暗。我们自己也不能明白我们到底在作甚么。我们看不见我们自己所织的东西。我们看不见一点美丽、一点好处。但是如果我们忠忠心心去作，不沮丧、不失望，有一天我们就要看见我们生命中最精美的工作，乃是在黑暗中作成的。

亲爱的，如果你正在黑暗中，不要惧怕。只要凭信心和爱心前进，切勿怀疑。神必从你一切痛苦和眼泪中找出良善和美丽来。

－－密勒（J.R. Miller）

十二月十四日

他们行走，力上加力。(诗84：7)

他们力上加力地行走。这话有很多译法，但是都有前进的意思。无论怎么译都好。他们越走越有劲，越长越强健。平常的时候，我们走路开头有力，慢慢地就发了软弱；起行的时候精神抖擞，步伐整齐，但是渐渐地路途崎岖了，太阳也热了，我们就坐在路边歇息一会，然后再拔起我们酸痛疲弱的脚赶上漫漫的征途。但是走天路的基督徒却源源不绝地得到新鲜的恩典，虽然奋斗行走了多年，他的体力依然和起初一样的健壮旺盛。或许他不像原先那么活泼轻快，或许他不像当初那么热烈急切；但他的力量却已大增，他走得虽然很缓慢，但是却很正确。有很多头发斑白的老练基督徒，真道把握得更牢靠，并且和幼年时一样热切的传扬那真道；但是，可惜，我们也必须承认有很多相反的情形，有许多人的爱心冷淡了，过犯加增了，这乃是他们自己的罪，并非神大有功效的应许有什么错：“就是少年人也要疲乏困倦，强壮的也必全然跌倒；但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。他们必如鹰展翅上腾，他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏。”急躁的人却坐下来，为他们的将来担忧。他们说：“唉，我们出了苦难，又入了苦难。”不错，你这小信的人哪!但那时你也必力上加力地往前进。你必然发现没有一种苦难不是被足够的恩典所捆起来的。神必把力量赐给成人，同时也把重负加在他长成了的双肩上。

十二月十四日

经文: 我已经与基督同钉十字架。（加拉太书2：20）

在祂所行之事中，主耶稣基督是一位伟大的代表，祂钉死十字架实际上就代表着全体属祂子民也死了。祂的所有圣徒藉着祂得以称义，也完全平息了 神对罪的愤怒。保罗这位外邦人的使徒，很高兴想到因为自己是基督的选民，他已经与基督同死于十字架上了。他不仅相信这一教义，更以信心接受这一事实，将他的盼望建于这事实上。他相信藉着基督的死，他满足了 神的公义，并能与

神和好。亲爱的弟兄啊，当灵魂在基督的十字架上展开双臂，这是何等有福，他就能感觉到，「我已经死了。律法已将我处死了，我已不在它的权势之下了。在我的中保里，我已经承受了咒诅。在我的替代者里面，所有律法能定的刑罚都已经执行在我身上，因我已经与基督同钉十字架。」然而保罗在此所要表达的含义比这更多。保罗不仅相信基督的死并信靠祂的死，他真正感受到他在祂里面的能力，以致能把自己老旧败坏的本性钉死。当他看到罪中之乐时，他说，「我不能贪恋这些，我已经向它们死了。」这是每一位真基督徒的经历。接受基督之后，他向这个世界如同一位彻底死去的人。一旦他感受到自己向世界死了，便能同时像使徒保罗那样宣称：「但是我是活的。」他向 神是完全活的。基督徒的生命是个猜不透的谜。没有一位属世之人的头脑能领悟；甚至基督徒本人也不能明白。死了，却活了！与基督同钉十字架，同时，又与基督一同复活，得着新生的样式！与受苦、流血的救主联合，向世界和罪恶而死是让灵魂欢欣快乐之事。哦，愿我们更多的享受其中！

Scripture: “I am crucified with Christ.”(Galatians 2:20)

The Lord Jesus Christ acted in what he did as a great public representative, and his dying upon the cross was the virtual dying of all his people. Through him, all his saints rendered unto justice what was due and made an atonement to divine vengeance for all their sins. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, delighted to think that as one of Christ's chosen people, he died upon the cross in Christ. He did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his hope

upon it. He believed that by virtue of Christ's death, he had satisfied divine

justice and had found reconciliation with God. Beloved, what a blessed thing it

is when the soul can, as it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ and

feel, “I am dead.The law has slain me; I am therefore free from its power.In my

Surety I have borne the curse, and in my Substitute the whole that the law

could do, by way of condemnation, has been executed upon me, for I am crucified

with Christ!” But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in

Christ's death and trusted in it, but also actually felt its power in himself

in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature. When he saw the pleasures

of sin, he said, “I cannot enjoy these. I am dead to them.” Such is the

experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ, he is to this world

as one who is utterly dead. Yet, while conscious of death to the world, he can,

at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, “Nevertheless I live.” He is fully

alive unto God. The Christian's life is a matchless riddle. No earthly-minded

person can comprehend it; even the believer himself cannot understand it. Dead,

yet alive! Crucified with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in

newness of life! Union with the suffering, bleeding Savior and death to the

world and sin are soul-cheering things. Oh, for more enjoyment of them!

《竭诚为主》12月14日 伟大的生命

我留下平安给你们，我将我的平安赐给你们……你们心里不要忧愁……（约十四27）

个人经历若有什么难过的事，我们很容易会责怪神；但出错的实在不是神，而是我们。我们必定有什么执着不肯放手，一旦肯放手，一切就必晴朗如白昼。若我们要同时事奉神，又事奉自己，就必产生困惑。我们必须对神抱完全信赖的态度，这样，过成圣生活就轻而易举了。有难处是因我们侵夺圣灵的主权，欲达成自己的目的。

你什么时候顺服神，他的印证就是平安。那无比的平安，不是天然的，乃是主耶稣的平安。若平安不来，就要等候直至得着，或找出没有平安的因由。若你行事是出于冲动，或英雄气概，主的平安就不会印证；因为其中没有对神的单纯与信心。单纯的灵是从圣灵而生的，不是出于你的决定，每一个决定都带来反作用，以致失掉单纯。

我一不顺服，问题就来了。我若顺服，问题就不会出于我与神之间，而只会挑旺我的心，叫我稀奇神启示的奇妙。神与我之间任何的问题，都是出于顺服。反之，若许多的问题在我顺服神的当儿出现，只会增加我惊喜的欣愉，因为我知道天父是明察的，我将可细察他怎样解决这些问题。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，我投向你。我原本是一个无家可归的人，直至你以你平安的稳妥、你慈爱的甜蜜感觉感动我，我的生命才产生改变。

December 14 The Great Life

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: . . Let not your heart be troubled.” John 14:27

Whenever a thing becomes difficult in personal experience, we are in danger of blaming God, but it is we who are in the wrong, not God, there is some perversity somewhere that we will not let go. Immediately we do, everything becomes as clear as daylight. As long as we try to serve two ends, ourselves and God, there is perplexity. The attitude must be one of complete reliance on God. When once we get there, there is nothing easier than living the saintly life; difficulty comes in when we want to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own ends.

Whenever you obey God, His seal is always that of peace, the witness of an unfathomable peace, which is not natural, but the peace of Jesus. Whenever peace does not come, tarry till it does or find out the reason why it does not. If you are acting on an impulse, or from a sense of the heroic, the peace of Jesus will not witness; there is no simplicity or confidence in God, because the spirit of simplicity is born of the Holy Ghost, not of your decisions. Every decision brings a reaction of simplicity.

My questions come whenever I cease to obey. When I have obeyed God, the problems never come between me and God, they come as probes to keep the mind going on with amazement at the revelation of God. Any problem that comes between God and myself springs out of disobedience; any problem, and there are many, that is alongside me while I obey God, increases my ecstatic delight, because I know that my Father knows, and I am going to watch and see how He unravels this thing.

十二月十四日信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

一切更新经文:「坐宝座的说：“看哪，我将一切都更新了。”」（启示录21︰5）

荣耀当归给神！一切都需要被更新，因为万物都被罪恶污染、破坏得惨不忍睹。时候到了，这旧造之物要被卷起搁置一边，受造之物要穿上主日的新衣裳。除了起初创造了万物的主，没有人能让它们都变成新的;因为要把万物从罪恶中救赎出来，需要有与当初在混沌中创造万物一样大的能力。我们的救主耶稣承担了这个责任，祂也完全胜任这个工作。祂早已开始这圣工，千百年来，祂坚持在为人们创造新的心，为社会建立新的秩序。不久，祂就会让整个人类统治体系更新，人心也会因着祂的恩典而更新；将会有那样一天，人的身体也会被更新、升天，到祂荣耀的身边。在神的国度，万物都要因着万王之王的权能更新，能够属于这样一个国度，是多么令人喜乐的一件事。我们并不是在衰老死亡：我们是在迈向一个更荣耀的生命。尽管有着罪恶权势的干扰侵犯，我们荣耀的主耶稣正按着既定的计划，让我们和属我们的一切都更新，有如起初祂刚刚创造万物时那般得美好，哈利路亚！荣耀归给主。

Nothing Old

Scripture: "And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

Glory be to His name! All things need making new, for they are sadly battered and worn by sin. It is time that the old vesture was rolled up and laid aside, and that creation put on her Sunday suit. But no one else can make all things new except the LORD who made them at the first; for it needs as much power to make out of evil as to make out of nothing. Our LORD Jesus has undertaken the task, and He is fully competent for the performance of it. Already he has commenced His labor, and for centuries He has persevered in making new the hearts of men and the order of society. By and by He will make new the whole constitution of human government, and human [character] shall be changed by His grace; and there shall come a day when the body shall be made new and raised like unto His glorious body. What a joy to belong to a kingdom in which everything is being made new by the power of its King! We are not dying out: we are hastening on to a more glorious life. Despite the opposition of the powers of evil, our glorious LORD Jesus is accomplishing His purpose and making us, and all things about us, "new" and as full of beauty as when they first came from the hand of the LORD.

十二月十四日

我们应当为在世界上有苦难而感谢神，世界中幸亏有苦难，若没有苦难谁还要主耶稣呢？就象以色列人在埃及地，若没有苦难，他们一定不肯离开埃及，谁也不能把他们从埃及领出来，就是神自己下来也领不动他们。神叫法老心里刚硬，苦待以色列人，这实在是神智慧的计画，为要把他们从埃及领出来。

你可以回想一下，当初你信耶稣的时候，或是你父亲信耶稣的时候，是在平安快乐、有地位、有名誉、百事顺利的时候信的呢？还是在穷困、痛苦、失败的时候信的呢？有人信主是因为有病，有人信主是因为有灾祸，有人信主是因为穷困，有人信主是因为痛苦，有人信主是因为孤单。苦难虽然不同，总是有一个苦难催逼着，他才信了主。

不但悔改信主是这样，圣徒在神面前长进也是因为有苦难，没有苦难的信徒，总是幼稚的。既是这样，我们就不希奇为什么我们在世上有苦难；我们当为我们的苦难感谢神；苦难对着属神的人不再是苦难，乃是恩典，是更高的恩典。

若没有某次的苦难，你就灭亡了；若没有某次的苦难，今日你不会作一个事奉神的人；若没有某次的苦难，你不会脱离某件离不开的罪。苦难实在是与你有益的，所以神才留你在苦难中，不用等到将来见主面的时候才明白，今天就可以明白神为什么叫你有苦难。所以圣徒只要凡事谢恩，因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。（帖前五18）

《荒漠甘泉》12月14日

有个门徒对他说，求主教导我们祷告……耶稣说，你们祷告的时候，要说……愿你的国降临。路11:1,2

当门徒对祂说：『教导我们祷告』的时候，我们的主就想起了永世，所以祂说：『你们祷告，要这样说』（太6:9）。

主所教导我们的祷告，和我们所常听见的祷告，相差多远呢？我们常照我们自己的心意祷告说：哦，主阿，祝福我，我的家，我的教会，我的本乡，我的本国……，我们所求的和神的国相差得太远了。

我们的主放在前面的，我们偏把它漏去。主的次序是：先世界，后个人。主教导我们先按照神对于全世界的愿望和目的，为全世界祈求，然后纔教导我们为自己祈求日用的饮食。

主耶稣既然把祂一切都给我们，连性命也在十字架上为我们舍弃，如果，祂要求我们把祂的国放在第一位祈求，岂是过份的呢？只有让基督在凡事上居首位的人，纔能得着属天的能力。

－－法兰西斯（Dr.Francis）

『祂的国没有穷尽』（路1:33）。

布道事业并不是教会的后见，乃是基督的先见。

－－范达爱克（HenryvanDyke）

十二月十五日

俄珥巴与婆婆亲嘴而别，只是路得舍不得拿俄米。(得1：14)

她们二位都很爱拿俄米，所以当她起身回犹大地的时候她们也与她同去。但是试验的关头来到了，拿俄米毫不自私地把这试验摆在她们的面前，嘱咐她们，为她们的幸福和安逸计还是回到摩押地的亲友那里。起初二人都坚决地说与她一同回她的本国去，她们情愿与耶和华的民同处；但是经过再一次的考虑，俄珥巴便忧伤痛哭地与婆婆亲嘴，于是便离开了她、她的国和她的神，回到拜偶像的亲友那里去了；而路得却定意跟随她的婆婆。在万事顺适亨通的时候爱神和在困难无望中爱神是不可同日而语的两件事。外表承认的亲嘴是很便当、很轻易的事，而实际归服神，则必须为保持真理和圣洁的缘故下一番决心，这却不是一件非同小可的事。我们的情形怎样?我们的心是否专注于耶稣?祭牲是否已经用绳索绑在坛角上?我们曾计算过所付出的代价吗?我们肯为主的缘故，甘心在世事上受亏损吗?后来所得的赏赐足能抵补我们过去所受的损失，因为埃及的财宝绝不能与将来所显于我们的荣耀相比。俄珥巴的事从此再也没有听到，她在拜偶像的环境中苟安贪欢直到默默无闻地死去；但路得却传诸史乘，存于天堂，因蒙特恩万王之王便出于她的世系。因着基督的缘故她便成了蒙福的女子，为众人所传颂；但是最不配被人记念的乃是当受试探的时候，背着良心又回到世界中的人。今晨愿我们切莫满意自己灵修的方式，或许我们连俄珥巴的亲嘴也不如。但愿圣灵在我们里面动工，使我们整个的心都贴近我们的主耶稣。

十二月十五日

经文: 以蓝宝石立定你的根基。（以赛亚书54：11）

神的教会除外在可见的部分之外，其不可见的部分也是可爱和宝贵的。地基是人所看不见的，只要地基仍稳固，就不必指望人们会注意到它。但是在耶和华的工作中，一切皆出于祂；没有什么是无价值的或有缺陷的。恩典工作中的深厚根基如同蓝宝石般珍贵；人的思想无法测度其荣耀。我们在恩典之约的根基上建造，这根基比钻石更稳固，如珍珠般耐久。蓝宝石的根基是永恒的，恩典之约也是随着全能者的生命持续到永远的。另一个根基是主耶稣，祂是清洁、无瑕疵、永远的并且是美丽的，如同蓝宝石一般。它将地球永远翻腾之海洋的深蓝与环抱一切之天空的蔚蓝掺和成为一体。曾经，当我们的主以祂自己的宝血遮盖罪恶时，我们以红宝石来比喻祂，但此刻我们看见祂散发出来丰富的、永恒的、并深沉之爱的柔蓝光辉。我们永恒的盼望建立在 神的公义和信实之上，那也是清澈如蓝宝石一般的。我们得救不是藉着妥协，藉着怜悯击倒公义或律法暂停其功用；不，即使是鹰眼也不可能在我们信心的根基上找到一个瑕疵——我们的根基是蓝宝石的，可以经受住火的考验。主亲自为祂百姓的盼望立下根基，而我们的盼望是否建立在这个根基上则是关乎生死。善事与礼仪并不是蓝宝石的根基，却是「草木、禾秸」（林前3：12），这些不是由神所立，乃是奠基在我们的自夸上。不久以后，所有的根基都要受试验。那些高塔在受到撞击时就倒塌的人有祸了，因为他将根基建立在沙土之上。而那些将根基建造在蓝宝石之上的则可以镇静地面对风暴或火焰，因为他必能经得起试验。

Scripture: “And lay thy foundations with sapphires.”(Isaiah 54:11)

Not only that which is seen of the church of God, but also that which is unseen, is fair and precious. Foundations are out of sight.As long as they are firm, it is not expected that they should be valuable; but in Jehovah's work, everything is from him; nohing is worthless or defective. The deep foundations of the work of grace are as recious sapphires; no human mind is able to measure their glory. We build on the covenant of grace, which is firmer than diamonds and as enduring as jewels on which age spends itself in vain. Sapphire foundations are eternal, and the covenant lasts throughout the lifetime of the Almighty. Another foundation is

the person of the Lord Jesus, which is clear, spotless, everlasting and

beautiful as the sapphire.It blendsthe deep blue of earth's ever rolling ocean

and the azure of its all embracing sky. Once,as our Lord have been likened to

the ruby as he stood covered with his own blood, but now we see him radiant

with the soft blue of love, an aboundant,everlasting, and deep love. Our

eternal hopes are built upon the justice and the faithfulness of God, which are

as clear and cloudless as the sapphire. We are not saved by a compromise, by

mercy defeating justice or law suspending its operations; no, we defy the eagle's

eye to detect a flaw in the groundwork of our confidence—our foundation is of

sapphire, and will endure the fire. The Lord himself has laid the foundation of

his people's hopes. It is a matter for grave inquiry whether our hopes are

built upon such a basis. Good works and ceremonies are not a foundation of

sapphires, but of “wood, hay, and stubble”(1 Cor. 3:12); neither are they laid by God, but by our own conceit. Foundations will all be tried before long.Woe unto him whose lofty tower shall come down with a crash, because it is based on a quicksand. He who is built on sapphires may await storm or fire with calmness, for he shall withstand the test.

《竭诚为主》12月15日 蒙神悦纳

你当努力，在神面前得蒙喜悦，作无愧的工人，接着正意分解真理的道。（提后二15）

要是你不能在任何题目上表达自己，就当好好努力，直至你能表达出来，否则，有些人会因此一生贫瘠。试把神某些真理对自己再三说出来，力求改进，神会藉你的话叫别人得益。要进入神的压酒池，竭力用各种方式把道理表达，时候到了，那些话就成为别人得力的美酒。若你懒洋洋地说：“我自己不必努力去表达，我可以借用别人的话。”这样，不但自己无用，对别人也无益。试把神的真理说出来，这样你就给神机会，把资讯带给人。

经常保持反诌的习惯，刺激脑袋再三思想那些理所当然的东西。经过苦练，岗位才真正成为我们的。一个作者叫你收益最大，不是因他把你从不知晓的东西告诉你，而是他把你不能表达的东西表达出来。

祈祷◆主啊，我愿称颂和赞美你，然而，当我身体软弱，我感到赞美你是何其困难，但为何必然是这样呢？这意味着惟有当我感到愉快，我才赞美你。但愿我的心能持续不断地赞美你！

December 15 Approved Unto God

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

If you cannot express yourself on any subject, struggle until you can. If you do not, someone will be the poorer all the days of his life. Struggle to re-express some truth of God to yourself, and God will use that expression to someone else. Go through the winepress of God where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle to get expression experimentally, then there will come a time when that expression will become the very wine of strengthening to someone else; but if you say lazily – “I am not going to struggle to express this thing for myself, I will borrow what I say,” the expression will not only be of no use to you, but of no use to anyone. Try to state to yourself what you feel implicitly to be God's truth, and you give God a chance to pass it on to someone else through you.

Always make a practice of provoking your own mind to think out what it accepts easily. Our position is not ours until we make it ours by suffering. The author who benefits you most is not the one who tells you something you did not know before, but the one who gives expression to the truth that has been dumbly struggling in you for utterance.

十二月十五日信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

世界大同经文: 「祂必在列国中施行审判，为许多国民断定是非。他们要将刀打成犁头，把枪打成镰刀；这国不举刀攻击那国，他们也不再学习战事。」（以赛亚书2︰4）

喔，希望这种太平的日子早点来临！现今各国扩张军备，竞相发明杀伤力极强的精良武器，似乎惟有置对方于死地，才是解决人类问题的惟一方法。但是，和平终究有来临的一天，到那日，刀枪都要被改造成其它的形状，用作和平的用途。这愿望要如何达成？借着文明？贸易？或仲裁？我们不会相信这些。过去的经验告诉我们，这些方法都太脆弱，惟有靠着和平之子，和平方能指日可待。祂要借着祂的灵教导众民，以祂的恩典更新百姓的心，以祂的权能统辖万民，如此，国与国之间不再有战争，民与民间不再有伤害。当人的血性上来，就兽性大发，残忍凶暴，惟有主耶稣能将狮子变成绵羊；惟有改变人心，人嗜血的性情才能除掉。但愿读到今天这应许的读者，都向赐和平的主祷告，求祂速速让战争停止，世界大同。

World Concord

Scripture: "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).

Oh, that these happy times were come! At present the nations are heavily armed and are inventing weapons more and more terrible, as if the chief end of man could only be answered by destroying myriads of his fellows. Yet peace will prevail one day; yes, and so prevail that the instruments of destruction shall be beaten into other shapes and used for better purposes. How will this come about? By trade? By civilization? By arbitration? We do not believe it. Past experience forbids our trusting to means so feeble. Peace will be established only by the reign of the Prince of Peace. He must teach the people by His Spirit, renew their hearts by His grace, and reign over them by His supreme power, and then will they cease to wound and kill. Man is a monster when once his blood is up, and only the LORD Jesus can turn this lion into a lamb. By changing man's heart, his bloodthirsty passions are removed. Let every reader of this book of promises offer special prayer today to the LORD and Giver of Peace that He would speedily put an end to war and establish concord over the whole world.

十二月十五日

撒但常向信徒射丧气的箭，叫我们在天路上灰心，叫我们在许多事情上不满意；不满意自己，觉着自己样样不如人：学问不如人、口才不如人、智慧不如人、知识不如人、地位不如人、名誉不如人，似乎是谦卑，却是丧气，因此在我们的路程上就失掉了力量。

有时撒但叫我们看自己的家庭不如人，人家的妻子好、丈夫好、儿子好、父母好，把不和睦的空气放进家庭中。有时它叫我们看自己的环境不好，天天不满意自己的处境，叫我们不肯顺从神的安排。它在许多事上攻击我们。我们应当有敏锐的眼光，识破撒但的攻击，拿起神所赐的藤牌，抵挡它的火箭。凡使我们丧气灰心的意念都应当从我们心中除去。

神在我们心中的放的意念是满足的、是刚强的、是顺从的、是有力量的，祂叫我们凡事看得合乎中道；不高看自己，也不小看自己。不叫我们自恃、骄傲，也不叫我们灰心、丧气。当我们看见自己弱小的时候，就看见神的伟大；看见环境不顺的时候，就看见是神的安排；当我们惧怕的时候，就看见神的大能，在我们心中总是活泼有力的。我们应当分辨在我们里面的意念，是从那里来的：是出于神，还是出于撒但，是出于灵，还是出于肉体。我们不应当接受撒但的攻击；应当接受神的力量，得胜撒但和自己的肉体。

你们要靠着主，倚赖祂的大能大力，作刚强的人。要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。（弗六10至11）

《荒漠甘泉》12月15日

你当倚靠耶和华。诗37:3

你当倚靠耶和华。虽然祂迟延已久，虽然你的困难日甚一日，虽然亲戚朋友都弃绝你，虽然一切都似乎没有盼望了，虽你不明白前面的路程，不知道将来的结局，仍当继续『倚靠祂，祂就必成全』（五节）一前面的道路必敞开，将来的结局必平安，上面的黑云必消散，午正的阳光必灿烂。

－－选

十二月十六日

可以到我这里来。(太1l：28)

基督教的呼声乃是一个柔和的字：“来。”犹太教的律法却是粗声厉气地说：“去，在你所行的路上要小心你的脚步。违背诫命，就必灭亡；遵守诫命。便得存活。”律法是令人惧怕的，它像一条鞭子一样地驱策人们；福音却用慈绳爱索吸引着人们。耶稣是一位走在羊群前面的好牧人，叫它们跟从他，总是用和悦的语调：“来!”引导它们向前。律法使人看出神人之间有一段距离；福音却是这一条可怕鸿沟的桥梁，使人得以渡过。

从你灵命的开头，直到你被接在荣耀里，基督总是对你说：“来，到我这里来。”母亲怎样放手叫她的小孩子学走说“来”，耶稣也是这样。他永远在你前面，叫你跟从他．像兵丁服从官长一样。他永远在你以前为你开路、铺路，你必听到他鼓舞你的话叫你终生跟随他；在你临终的一刹那，他必柔声招你到天堂说：“你们这蒙我父赐福的，可来。”

非但这样，这不单单是基督对你的呼声，如果你是一位信徒，这也是你对基督的呼声：“来，来!”你必切慕他二次再来，你必说：“主耶稣啊!我愿你快来。”你必渴慕与他有更亲近、更密切的交通。他对你说“来”，你也要回答他说：“主啊!来，与我同住。来，占据我心中的宝座；独自执掌王权，并把我分别为圣，完全为你工作。”

十二月十六日

经文: 你未曾听见，未曾知道，你的耳朵从来未曾开通。（以赛亚书48：8）

虽然会很痛苦，但请记住，在某种程度上，这个控告是针对那些常常在灵里迟钝的信徒而发的。我们本应听到神的声音，但却因听不到而悲叹。“你未曾听见”。心中圣灵细柔的感动常被我们忽略。神命令的微声，属天大爱之柔语，常不为我们迟钝的悟性所领会。我们常常粗心大意——”你未曾知道“。有许多事情我们本应明白，但腐败却在不知不觉之中潜入我们的生命中；甜美的感情如寒霜中的花朵渐渐枯萎了，被我们所忽视。其实只要我们不在心灵之窗前筑起高墙就能见到神闪亮之面容，但我们却“未曾晓得”。当我们思想这点时，我们就会在最深的自卑中谦卑下来。我们若从这节经文明白自己一切的无知和疏忽皆为神所预知，尽管如此，祂仍乐意以怜悯来待我们时，就必会崇敬祂的大恩。我们虽然如此，祂仍然拣选了我们，我们当称颂祂那至高无上的宏恩！基督完全知道我们之所是，他却甘愿为我们付上了赎价，为此而惊奇吧！被挂于十字架上的主预见我们的不信、后退、冷酷、漠不关心、疏忽、懒于祷告，然而，祂仍说：「我是耶和华你的 神，是以色列的圣者你的救主……因我看你为宝为尊，又因我爱你，所以我使人代替你，使列邦人替换你的生命。」（赛四十三：3～4）哦，伟大的救赎！当我们想到我们是何等罪恶时，你闪耀着的是何等奇妙璀璨的光辉！圣灵啊，从此刻起，赏赐我们能听的耳和有悟性的心！

Scripture: “Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened.”(Isaiah 48:8)

It is painful to remember that, in a certain degree, this accusation may be laid at the door of believers, who too often are in a measure spiritually insensible. We may well bewail ourselves that we do not hear the voice of God as we ought, “Yea, thou heardest not.” There are gentle motions of the Holy Spirit in the soul which are unheeded by us.There are whisperings of divine command and of heavenly love which are alike unobserved by our leaden intellects. Alas! we have been carelessly ignorant—“Yea, thou knewest not.” There are matters within which we should have seen, corruptions which have made headway into our lives unnoticed; sweet affections which are being blighted like flowers in the frost, untended by us; glimpses of the divine face which might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul. But we “have not known.” (Isa. 44:18). As we think of it we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How must we adore the grace of God as we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance, on our part, was foreknown by God, and, notwithstanding that foreknowledge, he yet has been pleased to deal with us in a way of mercy! Admire the marvelous sovereign grace which could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we should be! He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, coldhearted, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, yet he said, “I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ... Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life!”(Isa. 43:3-4) O redemption, how wondrously resplendent thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, from this point on, give us a hearing ear and a understanding heart!

《竭诚为主》12月16日 在神面前摔跤

所以要拿起神所赐的全副军装……随时多方祷告祈求……（弗六13-18）

你要与拦阻你亲近神的东西摔跤，为别人祷告时也要摔跤；但千万不要在祷告中与神摔跤，那是不合圣经真理的。你若真与神摔跤，势必一生瘸腿。若神给你一些你不想要的东西，就像雅各一样抓住神，与他摔跤，你就迫使神折断你的腿骨。不要做阻挡神路的人，要在神面前与世上的事物摔跤，因为借着他“已经得胜有余”。在神面前摔跤，必在他国度里见功效。若要我为你代祷，而我在基督里并不完全的话，祷告就无功效；但若我在基督里完全，祷告就随时生效。惟有在完全里，祷告才有功效——“所以要拿起神所赐的全副军装......”

总要分辨什么是神完美纯全的旨意，什么是他容许发生的事，后者是神借以完成他在我们身上的计划。我们不能更改神的旨意，但必须在他面前与一切他容许发生在我们身上的事情摔跤。我们对这些事情的反应，能帮助我们看清楚他在我们身上的旨意。“万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处”－－这里指那些忠于神的吩咐和主耶稣恩召人。神容许发生的事情，往往是他用来显露真正属他的儿女的一个考验。我们不卑躬屈就、不加思索地说：“这是神的旨意。”我们不是与神争斗或摔跤，乃是与那些事情摔跤。当心不可在神面前怠惰地闲坐，而是勇敢地光荣而战，你会发现主的能力充满你。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，倘若我有任何刚强的一面，那只是在你里面得着的刚强。今天早上，我因想起这话而满心欢喜－－“你们要靠着主，倚赖他的大能大力作刚强的人。”

December 16 Wrestling Before God

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God . . . praying always . . . ” Ephesians 6:13, 18

You have to wrestle against the things that prevent you from getting to God, and you wrestle in prayer for other souls; but never say that you wrestle with God in prayer, it is scripturally untrue. If you do wrestle with God, you will be crippled all the rest of your life. If, when God comes in some way you do not want, you take hold of Him as Jacob did and wrestle with Him, you compel Him to put you out of joint. Don't be a hirpler in God's ways, but be one who wrestles before God with things, becoming more than conqueror through Him. Wrestling before God tells in His Kingdom. If you ask me to pray for you and I am not complete in Christ, I may pray but it avails nothing; but if I am complete in Christ my prayer prevails all the time. Prayer is only effective when there is completeness – “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God.”

Always distinguish between God's order and His permissive will, i.e., His providential purpose towards us. God's order is unchangeable; His permissive will is that with which we must wrestle before Him. It is our reaction to the permissive will of God that enables us to get at His order. “All things work together for good to them that love God” – to those who remain true to God's order, to His calling in Christ Jesus. God's permissive will is the means whereby His sons and daughters are to be manifested. We are not to be like jelly-fish saying, “It's the Lord's will.” We have not to put up a fight before God, not to wrestle with God, but to wrestle before God with things. Beware of squatting lazily before God instead of putting up a glorious fight so that you may lay hold of His strength.

十二月十六日信心的支票簿 Faith’s check book

靠主得胜

经文:「迦南人虽有铁车，虽是强盛，你也能把他们赶出去。」（约书亚记17︰18）

必胜的应许能极大地鼓励士气，因为这样人就会在他曾胆怯的战场上充满信心，浴血奋战。我们既是与里面的罪性争战，也是与周围的魔鬼争战；我们当相信能够打赢这场战争，而且也当知道是靠着主耶稣的宝名来打这场仗。我们争战不是为了失败而是为了胜利，且我们必然胜利。神的恩典在祂的全能中宣告各样的罪恶必被倾倒；因此我们必然胜利。

我们旧造的身体、之前的恶习、酒肉朋友，以及我们的工作，会成为某些罪的铁车。但无论怎样，我们必须战胜它们。与它们相比，我们是相当得软弱，但靠着神的名，我们必须并且定然能征服它们。若我们仍做某一项罪的奴仆，就不是属神的自由人。一个人就算仅有一条铁链在身，他仍是俘虏。若人心仍被一项罪牵绊，就无法上天堂，因为经上说︰“罪必不能作你们的主。”既然这样，来吧，治死每一个迦南地的仇敌，将每一辆铁车都击打成碎片。万军之主与我们同在，谁能抵挡祂摧毁罪恶的大能呢？

Divine Expulsion

Scripture: "Thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong" (Joshua 17:18).

It is a great encouragement to valor to be assured of victory, for then a man goes forth to war in confidence and ventures where else he had been afraid to go. Our warfare is with evil within us and around us, and we ought to be persuaded that we are able to get the victory and that we shall do so in the name of the LORD Jesus. We are not riding for a fall, but to win; and win we shall. The grace of God in its omnipotence is put forth for the overflow of evil in every form: hence the certainty of triumph.

Certain of our sins find chariots of iron in our constitution, our former habits, our associations, and our occupations. Nevertheless we must overcome them. They are very strong, and in reference to them we are very weak; yet in the name of God we must master them, and we will. If one sin has dominion of us we are not the LORD's free men. A man who is held by only one chain is still a captive. There is no going to heaven with one sin ruling within us, for of the saints it is said, "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Up, then, and slay every Canaanite, and break to shivers every chariot of iron! The LORD of hosts is with us, and who shall resist His sin-destroying power?

十二月十六日

人从信主的那天起，圣灵就住在人的心中不再离开，若是顺从祂的引导，祂要使我们向两方面发展。

一祂要帮助新人成长，发展神性的各样美德：仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制，这些都是藉圣灵而发展的，因为祂将神的爱浇灌在我们心里。

二关于工作的果效。当我们为主工作的时候，祂要充满我们，赐我们能力、智慧、知识等各样属灵的恩赐，使工作作得完备而美善，以建立基督的身体，就是教会。

雅歌书中有两样的美为良人所爱：第一、是女子本身的美丽，从脚到头，没有一个肢体不美丽的，从她的身体就看见她的生命是何等的丰富。她的美是长成的，不是装饰的。第二、她所经营的花园的美丽，在她的园中葡萄开花，石榴放蕊，风茄放香，在她的园里有各样新陈佳美的果子。这也是自然长成的，不是人工制造的。女子本身的美和她所经营园中的美，正是信徒所当追求发展的方向，我们的发展不是靠自己的努力，也不是靠律法的约束，必须倚靠神的圣灵和基督的生命，若不在这个道路上追求，就是走了错路。

既然信祂，就受了所应许的圣灵为印记。这圣灵，是我们得基业的凭据，直等到神之民被赎，使祂的荣耀得著称赞。（弗一13至14）

你们当顺着圣灵而行，就不放纵肉体的情欲了。（加五16）

但你们若被圣灵引导，就不在律法以下。（加五18）

《荒漠甘泉》12月16日

有女先知名叫亚拿……并不离开圣殿，禁食祈求，昼夜事奉神。路2:36,37

我们越常祷告，就越会祷告。这是无疑的事。凡对于祷告时作时辍的人，他的祷告决不会发生多大效力。

祷告的能力是我们每一个人都能得到的，但是，郄不是不费力就能得到的。亚伯拉罕和神如果不常有交通，他为所多玛祈求，决不能有这样的成功。

我们的主在世为人的时候，时常天未黎明，就起来祷告了。

如果有人想毫不费力，就可以成为一个祷告的伟人，他就大错了。哦，巴不得每一个基督人都记得祷告的效力，在乎祷告的坚忍。

代祷者是教会最大的保护人；他们是施恩座前神施怜悯给人的导管。

我们应当藉祷告来学习祷告，藉继续祷告来使祷告继续。

－－司布真（C.H. Spurgeon）