主話藏我心

Has God Said?

PiLgRiM — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:52:01 +0000

The first question that the Tempter asked a human being was “Indeed, has God said?” So the question whether God has said anything on any subject is important. I will discuss here briefly of how God speaks. I believe He still speaks today.

We need to know that God still speaks today, even though many people do not think so. There will always be doubters in this world. In the normal course of events, a question on whether someone has spoken can be answered quite easily by a “yes” or a “no.” But if the question starts with “Indeed, has God said”, it means someone is really not sure that God has spoken.

Doubt can be difficult to overcome if it touches on multiple levels of our uncertainties. The person asking the question may be hinting: “Why would such an important person bother to inform you of this?” In that case the focus is on your insignificance. Or it may mean “Are you sure you heard it right?” In that case the question is on the accuracy of the words you have heard. Or it can imply “Even if you hear every word correctly, you cannot be sure that is really what the other person wants you to do.” In that case, the intelligence of the listener is in question. Therefore, adding the word “indeed” does not add certainty; it adds plenty of uncertainty.

It is always difficult to convince a third party that we have heard the correct message. The only way to be absolutely sure is to repeat the message back to the sender of the message to confirm the intention of the speaker. And that confirmation needs to be done in the presence of the third party. However, that kind of arrangement is not always possible. Indeed, the Tempter would not have asked Eve that question in God’s presence.

Even though God had spoken clearly, Eve had her doubts. She was already having doubts before the Tempter asked the question. So when the Tempter appeared to be empathetic, she was more than happy to expound on what she thought God must have said. Eve was not the only person in the world who would do that. We all tend to hear only what we want to hear. Then we turn around and say that is what God has said. If God says we cannot do something, we will say to ourselves, “It cannot be so serious.” If He says we need to do something, we will say to ourselves, “He does not mean it.” It is hard enough to hear God’s message without our own interfering thoughts. If we live our lives focused only on our own interests instead of God’s interests, then it would be almost impossible to hear God’s message at all.

For the person who is sure that he has heard correctly, there is a simple way to deal with doubters. Had Eve detected the insincerity in the Tempter’s voice, she could have answered this way: “Are you asking me because you want to follow God?”

We have a similar situation in the New Testament. The man who was born blind did not see Jesus when he was healed. But he knew what he had heard: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” He washed there and he gained his sight. The neighbors, however, were not so sure: some would say “yes, that is him”; others would say, “No, he just looks like him.” By the time the Pharisees got involved, no one cared about what the guy heard or what happened to his eyes. Even his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” Although it was clear what had happened, the people had their own agenda. They were more convinced of the righteousness of their own law than the fact that God had done a miracle on a Sabbath. So they pressured the man to change his answer. But as they continued, he asked, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?”
(John 9:27) Therefore, when others tell you that you cannot possibly have heard from God, the best way to handle it is not to agree with them, but to ask them if they want to follow God like you do.

Even though God continues to speak today, many Christians are not sure. There are many reasons for their doubt. One reason is that Christians are surrounded by non-Christians. Non-Christians conduct their lives never having to ask if God speaks. They do not even think He exists.

Another reason for doubt comes from the opposite end, from well-meaning religious folks who proclaim that God talks to them every day. While God has given everyone a brain, some folks believe that it is more spiritual to ask God for answers to whatever life’s problems may be. They think that if God were to give them the answer directly, the chances of success will be 100%. So they go on praying for every activity of the day, asking God what He wants them to do.

When folks ask God what they should do on everything, it does not glorify God. They are treating God like a consultant. Moreover, the questions they ask are often personal issues which everyone faces. They want to know what college to attend or which girl to date. Despite all the display of religiosity, eventually they will end up going to the college that would admit them, or go out with the girl who would agree to go out with them. Why would the Master of the universe bother to speak on subjects of this nature? He is not their servant, is He?

Despite all the confusion today, God does continue to speak. When He speaks, you will hear it. Let me use just two examples from the Bible to show how He speaks. The first example is Adam and Eve. There is no question that Adam and Eve could understand God. Since God walked in the Garden, there was also no question that the Creator was willing to stoop down to the level of human beings to communicate with them.

One may think that it is unusual or unlikely that the Creator of the universe would come and that human beings would not be frightened to death when they see Him. But the fact is God did appear to mankind and they were not afraid. When God came in the person of Jesus, He walked among men. No one questioned how it was possible that God would be talking to people publicly and directly, day in and day out for at least three years. In fact some were so sure that Jesus could not be God that they took up the task of killing Him to preserve their mistaken notion of godliness. The high priest standing in judgment of Jesus tore his own robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses?” (Matthew 26:65) He never thought that he was accusing God of blasphemy.

However, encounters like the examples above are unique experiences. One cannot expect God to be speaking every day to every person like He spoke to Adam and Eve or His disciples. Why? The lesson He revealed in His dealings with Adam and Eve had already taken place. We really should not force God to say it again to us. And if we insist that we go over the same lesson again, the same result will probably take place. If we do not learn from God on what He has already said, we will probably not learn from Him when He says it again.

Another example of how God speaks is the experience of Nebuchadnezzar. Here we see a heathen king who just conquered Egypt and Jerusalem. He had no interest or reason to advance the kingdom of God. But God would give him a dream, one so horrifying that he must have an answer. The king’s dream opened the way for Daniel to explain what God had said.

One reason why God would speak to Nebuchadnezzar (even by using a dream) is because Nebuchadnezzar is a king. God spoke to this “non-believer” so that an important prophecy would be preserved. Even people living in the 21st century know that the dream had to have happened and that Daniel existed because God used this king. After Nebuchadnezzar recovered from his sickness, he was so grateful that he proclaimed with a decree to the whole world about his encounter with God, and what Daniel had done for him. Therefore, when God wants to send a message, He does not have to depend on the believers, He can talk directly to a “non-believer.” When God speaks, even the ungodly will hear.

When God speaks, the purpose is to inform human beings of things that they are not aware of or have not been paying attention to. Therefore, it is important that we listen well. If we do not listen, there will be consequences. And the consequences will show that God had spoken.

In the case of Adam and Eve, they disobeyed God and the result was their separation from God. In the case of Nebuchadnezzar, the end result makes people realize that a miracle must have happened: Daniel could not possibly know what kind of a dream Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed unless he had supernatural help. Daniel not only told Nebuchadnezzar the dream, he provided the proper interpretation.

Many critics of Christianity do not believe that God have spoken. They say that prophecies like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream are the result of restless minds and that all prophecies are made up after the fact and inserted into the Bible to fool religious folks. To such critics, the dream of Nebuchadnezzar offers a solid rebuke. The book of Daniel was well known at the time of Jesus, who quoted Daniel as “Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15). There is no question that the book of Daniel was completed long before Jesus’ time. Daniel the prophet prophesied the fall of Rome. That prophecy was fulfilled only after the work of Christ on the cross was completed, the Stone that would demolish all four empires including the Roman Empire. That proved that God had spoken long before the prophesied event took place. The record was in the public domain before the prophecy was fulfilled in history. There is no room
for doubt whether God had spoken: the facts of history proved it.

In summary, God speaks. Sometimes He speaks to individuals so that the person would know what to do for the sake of the gospel. Sometimes He speaks to a nation so that the whole nation may repent. Whatever the content, if we happen to be there when He speaks we need to listen carefully. Even Old Testament prophets do not get to hear His voice every day.

There will always be people who say, “Indeed, has God said this to you?” To that we should firmly reply, “Yes, the Lord has spoken” and then go ahead to inform the world what the Lord expects from them.

主是靈糧 Sustained by Feeding

PiLgRiM — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:50:09 +0000

經文: 「永活的父怎樣差我來，我又因父活著；照樣，吃我肉的人也要因我活著。」（約翰福音六︰57）

我們藉著與上帝的兒子聯合而活；而神子耶穌又是靠著差祂來的天父而活。同理，我們也是靠著甦醒我們靈魂的耶穌而活。祂是我們生命的源頭；也是支持我們活力的補品。我們屬靈的生命，需要屬靈糧食的供給，而這靈糧就是耶穌自己；不是祂的生命、祂的死亡、祂的工作、或祂的話，而是祂自己，當然，祂就包括了一切。耶穌是我們的靈糧嗎哪。
主的肉是可吃的，主的血是可喝的，這意義在主的聖餐擘餅聚會中可表徵出來；事實上，當我們藉著默想主自己，運用信心相信祂，藉著愛的回應思念主名，將上帝內化到我們的生命，就是享受主自己。我們瞭解吃主的肉，喝主的血是怎樣的滋味，但我們說不出來，也寫不出來。這種只可意會不能言傳的感受，惟有親身去做，才能體嚐那種甘甜。上帝邀我們來享受這豐盛的宴席，祂自己就是取之不盡，用之不竭的補給站。
主啊，祢不但是我新生命的必需品，更是我心中所愛慕的對象，讓我現在就在默念主名，享受耶穌自己。

Scripture: “As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me” (John 6:57).

We live by virtue of our union with the Son of God. As God-man Mediator, the LORD Jesus lives by the self-existent Father who has sent Him, and in the same manner we live by the Savior who has quickened us. He who is the source of our life is also the sustenance of it. Living is sustained by feeding. We must support the spiritual life by spiritual food, and that spiritual food is the LORD Jesus. Not His life, or death, or offices, or work, or word alone, but Himself, as including all these. On Jesus Himself we feed.

This is set forth to us in the LORD’s Supper, but it is actually enjoyed by us when we meditate upon our LORD, believe in Him with appropriating faith, take Him into ourselves by love, and assimilate Him by the power of the inner life. We know what it is to feed on Jesus, but we cannot speak it or write it. Our wisest course is to practice it and to do so more and more. We are entreated to eat abundantly, and it will be to our infinite profit to do so when Jesus is our meat and our drink. LORD, I thank Thee that this, which is a necessity of my new life, is also its greatest delight. So, I do at this hour feed on Thee.

行動自如 Free to Travel

PiLgRiM — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:23:33 +0000

經文: 「我必使他們倚靠我，得以堅固；一舉一動必奉我的名。」（撒迦利亞書十︰12）

這經文是病痛中信徒的一帖安慰劑。當他們纏綿病榻，體力孱弱，難免陷入憂懼的幽谷，但全能的大醫生可以除掉我們的病痛，挪開我們的軟弱，使我們剛強健壯，因為只要「在耶穌裏」一切的應許都是肯定的。我們的能力，若靠著自己，不但有限，且容易自義；若靠著上帝，則源頭不竭，且帶來神人的契合。
我們的日子如何，力量也如何。我們的一舉一動都奉主的名，大病初癒，能夠自由行動，是多麼喜悅的事！尤其在主裡得以健壯，更是令人快慰的事！主給祂的百姓有這樣的自由，能到處走動，也給我們內心的平安舒坦，來行使這自由。我們不再是工作或金錢的奴僕，我們自在地到處旅行，享受主所賜的平安生活。
來吧，我的心，勿再受傷軟弱；上帝叫你健壯與祂同行，就讓我們默然靠主，聽從祂慈愛的吩咐吧！

Scripture: “And I will strengthen them in the LORD: and they shall walk up and down in His Name, saith the LORD” (Zechariah 10:12).

A solace for sick saints. They have grown faint, and they fear that they shall never rise from the bed of doubt and fear; but the Great Physician can both remove the disease and take away the weakness which has come of it. He will strengthen the feeble. This He will do in the best possible way, for it shall be “in Jehovah.” Our strength is far better in God than in self. In the LORD it causes fellowship, in ourselves it would create pride. In ourselves it would be sadly limited, but in God it knows no bound.

When strength is given, the believer uses it. He walks up and down in the name of the LORD. What an enjoyment it is to walk abroad after illness, and what a delight to be strong in the LORD after a season of prostration! The LORD gives His people liberty to walk up and down and an inward leisure to exercise that liberty. He makes gentlemen of us: we are not slaves who know no rest and see no sights, but we are free to travel at our ease throughout Immanuel’s land.

Come, my heart, be thou no more sick and sorry; Jesus bids thee be strong and walk with God in holy contemplation. Obey His word of love.

無人能關的門 Open Door of Communion

PiLgRiM — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 02:01:59 +0000

經文: 「我在你面前給你一個敞開的門，是無人能關的。」（啟示錄三︰8）

忠於真理的聖徒，在他們面前，有一扇敞開的門，是無人能關的。我的靈哪，若你在聖經中已找到，那顛撲不破的真理且能為之生為之死，你就找到那扇為你敞開的門。
我要進入那扇門，與上帝一同坐席，誰能攔阻我呢？耶穌已經擔當我的罪債，賜我稱義的白袍，使我得以進到祂的施恩寶座前，這完全是仰賴上帝的恩典。
我還有一扇門，是引我進到上帝的真理裏面，得以知道上帝國奧秘的事，比如上帝的揀選，與主的聯合，主的再臨等，這些對我不再是頭腦的知識，陌生的道理；而是了然於心，能完全接受的真理。
我有一扇密室的門，是通往天上，人藉著禱告與上帝彼此相通；另一扇門，是開向世界，讓我在地上能與聖徒相通，且服務世人。有人雖想把這兩扇門關掉，卻是不可能。
不久我即將回到天家，那兒的珍珠大門，將為我大開，讓我進到天堂，與萬王之王一同坐席，從此永不分離。

Scripture: “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Revelation 3:8).

Saints who remain faithful to the truth of God have an open door before them. My soul, thou hast resolved to live and die by that which the LORD has revealed in His Word, and therefore before thee stands this open door.

I will enter in by the open door of communion with God. Who shall say me nay? Jesus has removed my sin and given me His righteousness; therefore I may freely enter. LORD, I do so by Thy grace.

I have also before me an open door into the mysteries of the Word. I may enter into the deep things of God. Election, union to Christ, the Second advent- all these are before me, and I may enjoy them. No promise and no doctrine are now locked up against me.

An open door of access is before me in private and an open door of usefulness in public. God will hear me; God will use me. A door is opened for my onward march to the church above, and for my daily fellowship with saints below. Some may try to shut me up or shut me out, but all in vain.

Soon shall I see an open door into heaven: the pearl gate will be my way of entrance, and then I shall go in unto my LORD and King and be with God eternally shut in.

贖罪祭壇 What Sanctifies Our Offerings?

PiLgRiM — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:59:55 +0000

經文: 「又要把些血抹在會幕內、耶和華面前香壇的四角上。」（利未記四︰7）

焚香的祭壇，是聖者獻上禱告與讚美的地方，若能想像此處是耶穌寶血傾洒之處，更能使我們的敬拜蒙上帝悅納。因為祂看到祂愛子的血，祂就接納我們的奉獻與敬拜。
定睛在寶血上是必要的，因為那是惟一的贖罪祭。而罪常與我們看為是好的事混雜在一起，若沒有耶穌寶血的挽回祭，我們的悔改、信心、禱告，在上帝眼中，都不算數。有人輕看耶穌的流血，覺得那沒什麼，但對我們而言，這卻是我們一切盼望的基礎。寶血抹在香壇的四角，意味著當我們近到上帝面前，那將是最搶眼的部份。寶血使我們的禱告有力，所以它被抹在壇上最醒目之處。因為祂是獻在上帝面前，所以也擺在我們面前，藉以我們的獻祭得以潔淨。
來吧，因為羔羊已經代贖罪債，就讓我們坦然無懼地來到上帝面前，知道藉著寶血的遮蓋，我們已蒙悅納，我們的禱告，必像馨香之氣，達到上帝面前。

Scripture: “And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD” (Leviticus 4:7).

The altar of incense is the place where saints present their prayers and praises; and it is delightful to think of it as sprinkled with the blood of the great sacrifice. This it is which makes all our worship acceptable with Jehovah: He sees the blood of His own Son and therefore accepts our homage.

It is well for us to fix our eyes upon the blood of the one offering for sin. Sin mingles even with our holy things, and our best repentance, faith, prayer, and thanksgiving could not be received of God were it not for the merit of the atoning sacrifice. Many sneer at “the blood”; but to us it is the foundation of comfort and hope. That which is on the horns of the altar is meant to be prominently before our eyes when we draw near to God. The blood gives strength to prayer, and hence it is on the altar’s horns. It is “before the LORD,” and therefore it ought to be before us. It is on the altar before we bring the incense; it is there to sanctify our offerings and gifts.

Come, let us pray with confidence, since the Victim is offered, the merit has been pleaded, the blood is within the veil, and the prayers of believers must be sweet unto the LORD.

永不孤單 Never Alone

PiLgRiM — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 04:55:42 +0000

經文: 「你必不再稱為『撇棄的』。」（以賽亞書六十二︰4）

「被拋棄」是多麼悽慘的字！聽起來像是一場悲劇。那是一種椎心刺骨的傷痛，是一種痛徹心肺的哀絕，那是一種說不出來的心結糾纏。你曾被父母親遺棄？你曾被海誓山盟的情人甩掉？你曾被至友出賣？或是被你的親人欺騙？這的確是令人哀痛欲絕的不幸遭遇，但上帝若醫治我們，這樣的傷痛，隨著時間的沖淡，還是可慢慢痊癒。
然而，若上帝拋棄你，那又是怎樣的光景？請聽耶穌在十字架上慘絕人寰的哀鳴︰「上帝哪，上帝哪，祢為什麼拋棄我？」我們可曾飽受凌遲酷刑的折磨？可曾親嚐這種備極羞辱的滋味？若有，求上帝為我們把這一切挪開，不要讓這樣的苦況重現。惡人常指著受苦的聖人說︰「你的上帝已經拋棄你，所以祂使你吃苦受罪。」不，這完全錯了。上帝純全的大愛要覆庇我們，要逼著仇敵收回他的話，至少要封住他的舌頭。
相反地，上帝說︰「我喜悅你。」，我們的哭泣要轉為歡欣。讓那些以為被拋棄的人，聽到主的聲音︰「我必不離開你，也不撇棄你。」

Scripture: “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken” (Isaiah 62:4).

“Forsaken” is a dreary word. It sounds like a knell. It is the record of sharpest sorrows and the prophecy of direst ills. An abyss of misery yawns in that word forsaken. Forsaken by one who pledges his honor! Forsaken by a friend so long tried and trusted! Forsaken by a dear relative! Forsaken by father and mother! Forsaken by all! This is woe indeed, and yet it may be patiently born if the LORD will take us up.

But what must it be to feel forsaken of God? Think of that bitterest of cries, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Have we ever in any degree tasted the wormwood and the gall of “forsaken” in that sense? If so, let us beseech our LORD to save us from any repetition of so unspeakable a sorrow. Oh, that such darkness may never return! Men in malice said of a saint, “God hath forsaken him; persecute and take him.” But it was always false. The LORD’s loving favor shall compel our cruel foes to eat their own words or, at least, to hold their tongues.

The reverse of all this is that superlative word Hephzibah “the LORD delighteth in thee.” This turns weeping into dancing. Let those who dreamed that they were forsaken hear the LORD say, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

先他們而去 Always First in Fellowship

PiLgRiM — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:38:01 +0000

經文: 「祂在你們以先往加利利去。在那裡你們要見祂，正如祂從前所告訴你們的。」（馬可福音十六︰7）

耶穌和門徒講好在那兒碰面，祂必準時出現，祂永不食言。耶穌若講好可在祂的寶座前，或聚會崇拜中得以見到祂，祂必說話算話。有時我們會有意無意地迴避聚會，但耶穌絕不會這樣做。祂說︰「若兩三人奉我的名聚會，我就在他們當中。」祂說：「我就在」，而非「我將在」。
耶穌總是第一個到場，因她先我們而去。祂的心總是繫掛在我們身上，祂總是惦記著我們，急於想見到我們，所以祂總是先我們而去。
但祂只向那跟隨祂的人顯現。「在那裡你們要見祂」多麼令人高興的場面！我們不在意見到世上的大人物，但卻很關心是否看到耶穌，因祂的笑臉是我們最大的滿足，祂也應許我們，要向那信靠祂的人顯現。讓我們安心地站在祂的應許上，因為上帝一向說話算話。祂既然開出這樣的支票，我們就緊緊地抓住這應許，等待祂的語言兌現。

Scripture: “He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you” (Mark 16:7).

Where He appointed to meet His disciples, there He would be in due time. Jesus keeps His trust. If He promises to meet us at the mercy seat, or in public worship, or in the ordinances, we may depend upon it that He will be there. We may wickedly stay away from the appointed meeting place, but He never does. He says, “Where two or three are met together in my name, there am I”; He says not, “There will I be,” but, “I am there already.”

Jesus is always first in fellowship: “He goeth before you.” His heart is with His people, His delight is in them, He is never slow to meet them. In all fellowship He goeth before us.

But He reveals Himself to those who come after Him: “There shall ye see him.” Joyful sight! We care not to see the greatest of mere men, but to see Him is to be filled with joy and peace. And we shall see Him, for He promises Himself to them. Rest assured that it will be so, for He does everything according to His word of promise: “As he said unto you.” Catch at those last words, and be assured that to the end He will do for you “as he said unto you.”

工作已了，靜享安息 Work is Done; Rest in Him

PiLgRiM — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:46:27 +0000

經文: 「必另有一安息日的安息為上帝的子民存留。」（希伯來書四︰9）

        上帝已經預備了安息日，只有某些人才進得去。上帝第一次向他們傳講這信息，人得不著，因為他們不相信，所以只好留給相信的人享用。大衛也曾歌頌這安息，但他的百姓卻沒聽進去，拒絕上帝所賜的安息。約書亞對進迦南有極大的信心，但他也無法將這信心分給他人，這安息只留給那相信上帝話語的人。
        來吧，讓我們努力，以得著這安息。讓我們不再自我中心，不再受罪和私慾的干擾；甚至不要落入自信自義的牢籠，你有這些毛病嗎﹖摒除這一切，甚至停止自我的努力或工作，讓上帝自己來動工。讓我們在主耶穌已完成的事工裏找到安息，因為大功已經告成，公義的要求已得著滿足，享有在耶穌裡的平安，是我們應得的份。
        至於上帝的預定、人的得救、成聖功夫的完成，這些傷神的問題，就交給上帝自己來處理吧！若上帝託負我們這樣的責任，我們自會很輕省地扛起這個責任；憑著信心，我們努力進入上帝所賜的安息，同時拒絕陶醉在自義自滿中，那不是真正的安息，只有主耶穌自己是我們惟一的滿足，也只有浸沐在祂裏面，才能找到真正的安息。

Scripture: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God"(Hebrews 4:9).

God has provided a Sabbath, and some must enter into it. Those to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief; therefore, that Sabbath remains for the people of God. David sang of it; but he had to touch the minor key, for Israel refused the rest of God. Joshua could not give it, nor Canaan yield it: it remains for believers.

Come, then, let us labor to enter into this rest. Let us quit the weary toil of sin and self. Let us cease from all confidence, even in those works of which it might be said, "They are very good." Have we any such? Still, let us cease from our own works, as God did from His. Now let us find solace in the finished work of our LORD Jesus. Everything is fully done: justice demands no more. Great peace is our portion in Christ Jesus.

As to providential matters, the work of grace in the soul and the work of the LORD in the souls of others, let us cast these burdens upon the LORD and rest in Him. When the LORD gives us a yoke to bear, He does so that by taking it up we may find rest. By faith we labor to enter into the rest of God, and we renounce all rest in self-satisfaction or indolence. Jesus Himself is perfect rest, and we are filled to the brim in Him.

黑暗中的光 The Divine Light in Darkness

PiLgRiM — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:15:49 +0000

經文: 「必點著我的燈。」（詩篇十八︰28）

        我的魂在黑暗裡，甚至我的靈也處於低潮，似乎毫無出路，沒有人能帶給我亮光、喜樂。感謝主，祂可以點亮我的燈，驅走我心中的黑暗，即使這黑暗是這樣的大，祂可以突破陰霾，立刻帶給我光明。
        而且因著祂的慈悲憐憫，這燈一旦點着，就無人能吹滅，也不會因為缺油而熄滅。主所點的燈一直亮著，即使有時燈蕊要修剪，但總是永遠亮著。
        讓我像夜鶯那樣，在黑暗裡歌唱。因著期待，有盼望，就使我心中充滿樂歌，而不久上帝的亮光也照臨我。現在我雖然疲乏困倦，或許是因著天氣、身體的軟弱；或是突然的打擊，無論怎樣，只有上帝能帶給我亮光。我的眼目也要單單地仰望祂，而祂的亮光也要四圍環繞我、充滿我，到一個地步，我不需要燭光，也不需日光，上帝自己要做我的光，哈利路亞！

Scripture: "For Thou wilt light my candle"(Psalm 18:28).

It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a "darkness which might be felt," yet He can break the gloom and immediately make it bright around me.

The mercy is that if He lights the candle none can blow it out, neither will it go out for lack of substance, nor burn out of itself through the lapse of hours. The lights which the LORD kindled in the beginning are shining still. The LORD’s lamps may need trimming, but He does not put them out.

Let me, then, listen to the nightingale sing in the dark. Expectation shall furnish me with music, and hope shall pitch the tune. Soon I shall rejoice in a candle of God’s lighting. I am dull and dreary just now. Perhaps it is the weather, or bodily weakness, or the surprise of a sudden trouble; but whatever has made the darkness, it is God alone who will bring the light. My eyes are unto Him alone. I shall soon have the candles of the LORD shining about me; and, further on in His own good time, I shall be where they need no candle, neither light of the sun. Hallelujah!

列在被救贖中 Among the Redeemed

PiLgRiM — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 03:09:21 +0000

經文: 「這是獨居的民，不列在萬邦之中。」（民數記廿三︰9）

        誰願住在列邦中，而被數算為其中之民？憑良心說，即使在教會中，要找出那些真正跟隨耶穌，完全遵行祂旨意的人也很難。大多是掛名的、冒牌的、摻雜的，以致真正的基督徒，有如鳳毛鱗角。
        上帝一定會要求祂的子民走一條窄路，那是從世界分別出來的。我們是被救贖的一群，是被揀選的族類，有君尊祭司的身份和特別的呼召，我們內在的經驗也叫我們分別為聖。所以，我的家不在這浮華世界，也不在這毀滅之城，而是一條跟隨主的窄路。
        這樣的信念，會使我們不在意世人的藐視與恥笑，也願意接納世人與我們有別的事實。畢竟，我們的名字是在生命冊上；我們是從聖靈而生，而非血氣而生；我們有不同的人生目標，我們是要往天家去。所以，我們是獨居的民，不列在萬邦之中，我們是列在被救贖的民當中。因此即使在我一生的日子，被世人認為是孤僻怪異，我也不以為忤，反而心中坦蕩自在。

Scripture: "Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be redeemed among the nations"(Numbers 23:9).

Who would wish to dwell among the nations and to be numbered with them? Why, even the professing church is such that to follow the LORD fully within its bounds is very difficult. There is such a mingling and mixing that one often sighs for "a lodge in some vast wilderness."

Certain it is that the LORD would have His people follow a separated path as to the world and come out decidedly and distinctly from it. We are set apart by the divine decree, purchase, and calling, and our inward experience has made us greatly to differ from men of the world; and therefore our place is not in their Vanity Fair, nor in their City of Destruction, but in the narrow way where all true pilgrims must follow their LORD.

This may not only reconcile us to the world’s cold shoulder and sneers but even cause us to accept them with pleasure as being a part of our covenant portion. Our names are not in the same book, we are not of the same seed, we are not bound for the same place, neither are we trusting to the same guide; therefore it is well that we are not of their number. Only let us be found in the number of the redeemed, and we are content to be off and solitary to the end of the chapter.