七月二十五日

约瑟把衣裳丢在妇人手里，跑到外边去了。（创39：12）

我们与某些罪争斗时并没有得胜的样子，而只能狼狈地逃跑。(英文: In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. 翻譯成: "在与某些罪作爭鬥时，沒有得勝的方法，而只能立刻跑开"。似乎比較較恰當。-- 楊文進 --)从前博物学家常提到一种毒蛇，它们的眼能使人昏迷而死，人很容易被它们所害；因此只要向恶一看就有极大的危险，凡要保全自己不沾染恶行的人必须迅速逃跑，不留一次机会给它。我们必须与我们的眼睛立约，绝不看引诱人的东西，因为这样的罪像星星之火，即刻可以引起燎原大火。谁愿意到拘禁麻风病人的地方，睡在败坏腐烂之中呢？恐怕只有甘愿长大麻风的人才肯这样。若是水手知道如何可以躲避风暴，他必那样办，而不愿冒险航行。小心的舵手绝不愿靠近浅滩，也不愿远离海港，就近暗礁；他们的目的乃是尽量行在安全的航线中。

今天我或许会遇到极大的危险，愿我有蛇的智慧使我不入鷇，使我能逃脱。今天鸽子的双翼或许比狮子的门牙更有用。我若接近不好的同伴就必失败，但我宁肯丢了我的衣服也不肯舍上我的品格；财富并没有什么用，但是清洁却是我最大的需要。情谊的结，美色的链，伶俐的笑，嘲笑的箭都不能回转我逃避罪的决心。我抵挡魔鬼，它便离我而逃跑；但肉体的情欲，却要我来逃跑，不然它们就必胜过我。圣洁的神，愿你保全我们像约瑟一样，使陷阱夫人的恶谋和诡计不能陷害、迷惑我们，使可怕的三位一体，就是世界、肉体和魔鬼永不能胜过我们！

七月二十五日

经文: 他们在急难的时候，必切切寻求我。（何西阿书五：15）

伟大的牧者常常利用损失和反对将徘徊的羊领回家中。它们如同凶猛的犬类，驱赶迷途羔羊返回羊栏。过份喂饱的狮子是不能被驯服的，必先软弱下来，才能在驯兽师的手下驯服。基督徒只有在吃干面包和服艰辛之役，才能常常顺服于主的旨意之下。当财富增加时，许多信徒昂首阔步，高谈阔论。他们像大卫一样自己谄媚地说：“我永不动摇。”（诗三十：6）当基督徒富有了，朋友围绕他，他有健康的身体，有快乐的家庭，也常会容许“肉体安全先生”与他一同坐席。倘若他真是上帝的儿子，上帝会为他预备一根杖。他的财富会如梦般消失。他的地产失去了，田产瞬间易手了！他的损失快速滚来！它们的结局在何处？当这些困窘发生时，他开始为自己的背道忧伤，转回向上帝，这是上帝要祝福他的记号。波涛将水手冲至救恩的岩石上，这是何等的福气啊！事业上的损失往往是为了我们灵命的丰富。蒙拣选的灵魂若不能双手富足地到主面前，也能空手来就主。在财富的颠峰上，倘若我们不能荣耀祂，祂将容许我们进入穷困的谷中。然而，当你受谴责时，忧愁的人哪，不要灰心。反之，认清管教你的是一双爱的手，那时，你要像浪子一般说：“我要起来，到我父亲那里去。”（路十五：18）

Evening, July 25

Scripture: “In their affliction they will seek me early.”(Hosea 5:15)

Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to fetch home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer's hand; and often have we seen the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord's will by straitness of bread and hard labour. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their heads much too loftily, and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they flatter themselves, “My mountain standeth fast; I shall never be moved.” When the Christian groweth wealthy, is in good repute, hath good health, and a happy family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table, and then if he be a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile, and it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate－how soon the acres change hands. That debt, that dishonoured bill－how fast his losses roll in, where will they end? It is a blessed sign of divine life if when these embarrassments occur one after another he begins to be distressed about his backslidings, and betakes himself to his God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul's enriching. If the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If God, in his grace, findeth no other means of making us honour him among men, he will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honour him on the pinnacle of riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet faint not, heir of sorrow, when thou art thus rebuked, rather recognize the loving hand which chastens, and say, “I will arise, and go unto my Father.”

《竭诚为主》 7月25日

……有福了。（太五3-10）

初读主耶稣的话时，但觉平平无奇，于是不自觉地拋诸脑后。例如八福就似乎只是一套温和优美的观念。是为那些超世闲逸的人而设的，对于这个冷酷、平凡的世界，并无实际用场。可是，不久我们就会发现，八福其实有圣灵的炸药，当碰到生活环境的引发线，就会爆炸。圣灵会提醒人八福中的某一项，我们就会说：“多令人震惊的一句话呀！”我们就得决定，是否愿意接受属灵上的重大的改变。我们若肯顺服，在所处的环境中就必产生得救的人，也可以依字面应用登山宝训。按字面意义来解释登山宝训是小孩的玩意；但照神的灵把主的话应用在我们的际遇上，却是圣徒一项严肃的功课。

耶稣的教训与我们看事的常理大不相同，开始的时候会令人浑身不舒服。当圣灵把主的话应用在我们实际环境中，我们便要慢慢学习，依从主耶稣的观念来做事及说话。登山宝训不是一套规条，而是生活的写照，就是当我们顺服圣灵时所活出的生命。

祈祷◆主啊，最近我感到晦暗而不明朗，好像你正在带领我进入一个真理的范畴，是我前所未到过的。主啊，高举我，直至我看见你；支持我，直至我完成你的计划。

July 25 Am I Blessed Like This?

“Blessed are . . .” Matthew 5:3-10

When we first read the statements of Jesus they seem wonderfully simple and unstartling, and they sink unobserved into our unconscious minds. For instance, the Beatitudes seem merely mild and beautiful precepts for all unworldly and useless people, but of very little practical use in the stern workaday world in which we live. We soon find, however, that the Beatitudes contain the dynamite of the Holy Ghost. They explode, as it were, when the circumstances of our lives cause them to do so. When the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance one of these Beatitudes we say – ‘What a startling statement that is!’ and we have to decide whether we will accept the tremendous spiritual upheaval that will be produced in our circumstances if we obey His words. That is the way the Spirit of God works. We do not need to be born again to apply the Sermon on the Mount literally. The literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount is child's play; the interpretation by the Spirit of God as He applies Our Lord's statements to our circumstances is the stern work of a saint.

The teaching of Jesus is out of all proportion to our natural way of looking at things and it comes with astonishing discomfort to begin with. We have slowly to form our walk and conversation on the line of the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations: it is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting His way with us.

七月廿十五日 信心支票簿 Faith's check book

无事惊恐

经文:「你且去等候结局，因为你必安歇。到了末期，你必起来，享受你的福分。」（但以理书12︰13）

我们无法了解所有的预言，但我们却不是以害怕的心看待它；反之，我们以欣喜的心等待它。因为天父的心意，不是要惊吓祂的孩子。虽然　神命定苦难灾祸，但真正信徒经此考验，灵性会越加纯洁坚定；就像经过烈焰筛选后，却没有火燎的味道。虽然我们翻滚红尘、历经人世波折，但耶和华　神必保守祂自己的子民。

纵然肩头责任再重，道路再艰难，我们仍要镇定地面对挑战，在冲突中站稳，在患难中忍耐，不退缩，不逃避，一直往前走，直到那日子来到。

安息属乎我们，世事常是摇摆不定，变幻无常，但我们的根基却是稳固可靠。因为我们安息在主的爱中。我们心中的平安，有如一条河，平稳地流着；我们可以立定在属天的迦南地，那里有我们的一份。那些愿像但以理，坚守圣洁真理者，但以理的　神也要以祂的信实保守他们。坑中的狮子无法伤害我们分毫，夺去我们稳固的福份。

Nothing to Alarm Us

Scripture: "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days"(Daniel 12:13).

We cannot understand all the prophecies, but yet we regard them with pleasure and not with dismay. There can be nothing in the Father's decree which should justly alarm His child. Though the abomination of desolation be set up, yet the true believer shall not be defiled; rather shall he be purified, and made white, and tried. Though the earth be burned up, no smell of fire shall come upon the chosen. Amid the crash of matter and the wreck of worlds, the LORD Jehovah will preserve His own.

Calmly resolute in duty, brave in conflict, patient in suffering, let us go our way, keeping to our road, and neither swerving from it nor loitering in it. The end will come; let us go our way till it does.

Rest will be ours. All other things swing to and fro, but our foundation standeth sure. God rests in His love, and, therefore, we rest in it. Our peace is, and ever shall be, like a river. A lot in the heavenly Canaan is ours, and we shall stand in it, come what may. The God of Daniel will give a worthy portion to all who dare to be decided for truth and holiness as Daniel was. No den of lions shall deprive us of our sure inheritance.

七月二十五日

「我照神所给我的恩，好象一个聪明的工头，立好了根基，有别人在上面建造；衹是各人要谨慎怎样在上面建造。」（林前三10）

　　主为我们成全了得救的根基，我们既被救到根基上，就在根基上继续建造；我们所建筑的是多是少，是金银宝石，是草木禾秸，全在我们今日向那一方面努力；得救完全是神的事，没有人能另立根基，然而救到根基上以后的继续建造，却是全在我们自己的努力；但这个努力建造，不是靠肉体的力量，仍是藉着在基督里所追求的丰富的生命。若是靠肉体的努力，所建筑的就是草木禾秸的工程，若是藉着基督里的丰富来建筑，就是金银宝石的工程；因为属肉体的东西根本不能存在于永世之中，惟有在基督里的是永存的。

　　神在基督里为我们预备了基业，这些基业神要我们去得；神不但要我们在基督里得救，神还要我们在基督里承受基业。这些基业就是那永存的金银宝石。所以我们当自己检查自己追求的是甚么，建筑的是甚么，我每日所劳苦的是否能存在永世之中，是否是金银宝石的工作。这不是说传道人所作的才是金银宝石，妇女在家庭中所作的一切就是草木禾秸；也许妇女在家庭中建筑了金银宝石，传道人却建筑了草木禾秸。不是看我们今日所在的岗位，全看是否在基督里取材建造。若是传道人在基督里作工，当然他所作的皆是金银宝石的工作，因为他把一身所有的全都奉献给基督了。

《荒漠甘泉》7月25日

　　“我所作的，你如今不知道，后来必明白。”（约十三章七节）

我们现在所看见的上帝的作为，只是局部的半完成、半发展的计划；到永生的殿完成的时候，全部工程就要清清楚楚地显露出来！

让我们上黎巴嫩山顶去看看。在那里有高大的香柏树，它是同辈的光荣，狂风的对手！夏喜欢对着它微笑；夜喜欢用露珠镶饰它的叶子；飞鸟喜欢巢居在它的支干上；疲倦的旅客、流浪的牧童都喜欢在它荫下憩息－躲避日中的炎热、狂暴的风雨；虽然这样，有一天，它却被砍倒了；多年在林中享有权利的香柏树，竟死在樵夫手下！

当斧子砍下去的时候，树枝都从树身上脱下来了，那株高大的香柏树，哗啦一声，倒在地上了。那时候，我们禁不住和先知一般喊叫说：‘松树啊，应当哀号。因为香柏树倾倒了！’（亚十一章二节）

但是等一等。让我们跟着希兰的工人将那株大树运下山来：从那里沿着蓝色的中海漂去；看啊，这株香柏树最后成了神殿中的栋梁～一根荣耀光泽的栋梁。当你看见了它的结局－被安置在圣殿的至圣所里，万王之王的宫殿里－你会不会再可惜黎巴嫩的香柏树被砍倒了呢？

??‘这殿后来的荣耀，必大过先前的荣耀’（该二章九节）

多少时候，我们正像那香柏树！上帝的斧子将我们剥削得一无所有。我们看不出有什么理由叫我们遇见这样黑暗神秘的对付，但是上帝自有祂的目的在：上帝豫备用我们来做天上的栋梁、屋椽；要叫我们‘在耶和华的手中为华冠，在上帝的掌上作为冕旒’（赛六十二章三节）。－马克特夫（Macduff）

七月廿十六日

你们要分外地殷勤。有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知识……（彼后1：5,6）

若你要在圣灵的影响和帮助之下，享受充足信心的大恩，就当遵行圣经所说的话，“要分外地殷勤”。要留心你的信心是否正确——并不是相信道理，而是信靠基督，并单单信靠基督。要在勇气方面分外地殷勤。求神赐你一副狮子的面孔，好叫你存着正直的心，勇敢向前。要细心查经，好得到知识；因为在道理方面有知识就能使信心坚固。要明白神的话，并把神的话丰丰富富地存在心里。

当你达到这地步之后，“有了知识，又要加上节制”。当心你的身体，要在外面有节制；当心你的心灵，要在里面有节制。此外，要靠着神的圣灵，再加上忍耐，求神赐你忍受苦难的忍耐，好叫你的忍耐经过试炼成为精金。要常常佩带忍耐，在受苦的时候不要发怨言，或是消沉起来。有了忍耐要再追求虔敬。虔敬不仅是信奉，更要以荣耀神为生活的目标，要在他的眼前而生活，要多靠近他，要常与他相交。

当你有了“虔敬”之后，要再加上“爱弟兄的心”；有了爱圣徒的心，要加上爱众人的心，要把爱的手向一切人伸出来，并爱他们的灵魂。当你有了这些珍宝，使这些美德平行地发展，你就清楚地知道“你们所蒙的恩召和拣选”。若你要稳妥平安，就“要分外地殷勤”，因为冷淡和疑心常是携手而来的。我们要过着“加上”的生活，留心“减去”的生活。

“常要加，常要加，常常更要加上！”

七月二十六日

经文: 使他们与王子同坐。（诗篇一一三：8）

我们的属灵特权就是能处于最高阶层之上。选民的社会地位是在“王子之间”。“我们乃是与父与祂儿子耶稣基督相交的。”（约壹一：3）在属世社会组织中，没有一人的地位是像这般的！我们是“被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属上帝的子民”（彼前二：9）。我们已来到“有名录在天上诸长子之会所共聚的总会”（来十二：23）。众圣徒有权利作王室的听众。上帝的儿女有进入天国内院之通道。“因为我们两下藉着祂被一个圣灵所感，得以进父面前。”（弗二：18）。又如同使徒在希伯来书中所写的：“所以我们只管坦然无惧的，来到施恩的宝座前。”（来四：16）在众王子中有丰足的财富。但是王子的丰富何能与信徒的财宝相比？因为“……全是你们的。并且你们是属基督的。基督又是属上帝的。”（林前三：22～23）。“上帝既不爱惜自己的儿子为我们众人舍了，岂不也把万物和祂一同白白的赐给我们么。”（罗八：32）。王子有权力。天国的王子有极大的影响力，因为耶稣“使我们成为国民，作祂父上帝的祭司。”（启一：6）我们掌管时间和永恒的国度。王子有特殊的荣耀。恩典置我们于天上的高位，从那里我们俯视属地的尊贵。祂“又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活，一同坐在天上。”（弗二：6）我们分享基督的荣耀，与此相比，世上的辉煌不值一思。与耶稣相交是最珍贵的宝石，所闪耀的光芒教任何国王的王冠为之黯淡无光。

Evening, July 26

Scripture: “That he may set him with princes.”(Psalm 113:8)

Our spiritual privileges are of the highest order. “Among princes” is the place of select society. “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” Speak of select society, there is none like this! “We are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood.” “We are come unto the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven.” The saints have courtly audience: princes have admittance to royalty when common people must stand afar off. The child of God has free access to the inner courts of heaven. “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” “Let us come boldly,” says the apostle, “to the throne of the heavenly grace.” Among princes there is abundant wealth, but what is the abundance of princes compared with the riches of believers? for “all things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.” “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Princes have peculiar power. A prince of heaven's empire has great influence: he wields a sceptre in his own domain; he sits upon Jesus’ throne, for “He hath made us kings and priests unto God, and we shall reign for ever and ever.” We reign over the united kingdom of time and eternity. Princes, again, have special honour. We may look down upon all earth-born dignity from the eminence upon which grace has placed us. For what is human grandeur to this, “He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”? We share the honour of Christ, and compared with this, earthly splendours are not worth a thought. Communion with Jesus is a richer gem than ever glittered in imperial diadem. Union with the Lord is a coronet of beauty outshining all the blaze of imperial pomp.

《竭诚为主》7月26日

从心里发出来的……（太十五18-20）

我们起初都信任自己的无知，称之为无罪；又信任自己的无罪，称之为清洁。于是当我们听见主这番严厉的话，就会怯生生地说：“我从不觉得自己心中有这些可怖的脏东西呀！”我们厌恶主所揭示的。若耶稣基督不是人心里至高的权威，他就根本不值一顾。我是否愿意信任他的明察，还是信任自己的天真无知？只要我试验一下自己的清白，就势必栗然醒觉主话的真实，也必震惊于自己偏向邪恶的性情。我之所以未沦为恶匪，无非是胆子不够大，及文明社会的保障罢了。若在神面前赤露敞开，就必知道他的诊断无误。

耶稣基督的救恩是唯一的保障。我若把自己交给他，就不必经历内心那些可怕的性情。清洁太深邃了，凭天性我无法达至，但当圣灵来到就把那在主耶稣生命中彰显的灵，带进我生命中，我就变成毫无玷污的纯洁。

祈祷◆噢，我的神，我在你的火焰中被焚烧和炼净——今天我所发现的渣滓似乎太多，在我处理别人的错失上，却太少流露你那甜蜜而亲切的恩典。主啊，赦免我。

July 26 The Account With Purity

“Out of the heart proceed . . .” Matthew 15:18-20

We begin by trusting our ignorance and calling it innocence, by trusting our innocence and calling it purity; and when we hear these rugged statements of Our Lord's, we shrink and say – But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart. We resent what Jesus Christ reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme Authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust His penetration, or do I prefer to trust my innocent ignorance? If I make conscious innocence the test, I am likely to come to a place where I find with a shuddering awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I shall be appalled at the possibility of evil and wrong in me. As long as I remain under the refuge of innocence I am living in a fool's paradise. If I have never been a blackguard, the reason is a mixture of cowardice and the protection of civilized life; but when I am undressed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis.

The only thing that safeguards is the Redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will hand myself over to Him, I need never experience the terrible possibilities that are in my heart. Purity is too deep down for me to get to naturally: but when the Holy Spirit comes in, He brings into the centre of my personal life the very Spirit that was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ, viz., Holy Spirit, which is unsullied purity.

七月廿六日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

改变名号

经文:「耶和华说：“那日你必称呼我伊施（就是”我夫“的意思），不再称呼我巴力（就是”我主“的意思）。因为我必从我民的口中除掉诸巴力的名号，这名号不再提起.”」（何西阿书2︰16，17）

这日子已经来到，我们不再把我们的　神，看作是暴君，或霸道的巴力，因为我们是在恩典之下，不在律法之下。我们现在把耶和华　神看作我们的良人，称祂为伊施，爱我们的主，祂与我们有最亲密神圣的关系。我们不会轻慢祂，只有更加爱祂；我们不会以服事祂为苦，却是甘心事奉，以此为至高之乐；我们不再害怕祂的严厉，反倒享受祂的大爱；我们不再做奴仆，我们是　神家的儿女；服侍成为一种享受。

亲爱的读者，你的情形是这样吗？祂的恩典使我们生活在坦然无惧的爱中，这是多么快乐的一种经验，主日敬拜不再只是一种仪式，如今祷告是一种特权，赞美成为一首乐歌，顺服是我们所乐做的，奉献是一种飨宴。一切的一切都变成新的了。喔，伊施是我们永远的良人，我的心畅快，我的口欢唱！

A Change of Name

Scripture: "And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call Me Ishi; and shalt call Me no more Baali; for I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name"(Hosea 2:16-17).

That day has come. We view our God no more as Baal, our tyrant lord and mighty master, for we are not under law but under grace. We now think of Jehovah, our God, as our Ishi, our beloved husband, our LORD in love, our next-of-kin in bonds of sacred relationship. We do not serve Him less obediently, but we serve Him for a higher and more endearing reason. We no longer tremble under His lash but rejoice in His love. The slave is changed into a child and the task into a pleasure.

Is it so with thee, dear reader? Has grace cast out slavish fear and implanted filial love? How happy are we in such an experience! Now we call the LORD's day a delight, and worship is never a weariness. Prayer is now a privilege, and praise is a holiday. To obey is heaven; to give to the cause of God is a banquet. Thus have all things become new. Our mouth is filled with singing and our heart with music. Blessed be our heavenly Ishi forever and ever.

七月二十六日

主所完成的律法，是超乎旧约的律法，祂所完成的是祂自己在马太福音五、六、七章教训门徒的话。律法的总归就是爱，但主的爱是超过律法的爱，主的义也是超过了律法所要求的义。所以主的爱不是律法的爱，主的义不是律法的义，若是主衹替人完成了律法，祂衹能把人赎回到亚当原有的地位，而得不到我们今日所承受的救恩；因为主的义是神的义，所以我们得以承受神的一切福气。

　　主耶稣不衹是给仇敌吃，给仇敌喝，祂乃是为仇敌死在最残酷的十字架上而彰显出神的义，这样的义行，在律法中根本没有。这也是在人的本性中所作不出的事，人对仇敌根本是没有恩典，就是小恩小惠也作不出来，向著仇敌衹有恼恨和凶杀。

　　主耶稣既然完成了神的义，神从天上观看，找到了一个完全人，所以称祂为义，叫祂从死里复活。因著一个人的罪，死就进入世界；神是公义的，也因著一个人的义，使生进入世界。因为亚当的不义，凡从亚当生的都不义；因著主耶稣的义，凡承受基督生命的也都成为义。在亚当里神找著了不义，所以定他死；在基督里神找著了义，所以定祂生。死与生，罪与义都是有传播性的。种下了罪，收割的就是死；种下了义，收割的就是生。死是不义的果实，生是义的收获。为罪，祂死了；为义，祂复活了。

　　神如今将「神的义」白白赐给了世人，使凡接受这义的都因信得生。

　　「但如今神的义在律法以外已经显明出来，有律法和先知为证。」（罗三21）

《荒漠甘泉》7月26日

　　“我们靠着圣灵，凭着信心，等候义的盼望。”（加5章5节，直译）

　　有时候，光景似乎非常黑暗——黑暗得连盼望都要等起来了。在盼望中等候已经够难了，何况等候盼望呢？一线光明也没有，却仍不肯绝望；窗前尽是黑暗，却仍开着窗等候星宿；心中有了空处，却不许装置污秽——这就是宇宙中最大的忍耐。这就是约伯在患难中，亚伯拉罕在往摩利亚去的路上，摩西在米甸的旷野，人子在客西马尼的那种忍耐。

　　“恒心忍耐，如同看见那不能看见的主。”（来11章27节）——这样的忍耐，比任何样的忍耐都难；这就是等候盼望。

　　主啊，给我你的力量——你客西马尼的力量。给我等候盼望的力量——叫我在没有星宿的黑夜，仍有力量守望窗外；在最大的欢乐失去了的时候，仍有力量站住。——马得胜(George Matcheson)

七月廿十七日

又宝贵、又极大的应许。（彼后1：4）

若你要从经历中得知应许的宝贵，并在心中享受它们的宝贵，就当多思想。有一些应许像酒醡中的葡萄，人用力踹才能流出汁水来。多思想圣善的言语常因之使那些应许得以成全。在你默想的时候，你所寻求的恩惠就不期然而然地临到了你。有很多基督徒渴慕某一种应许，而正在他们思念神的话时心中便得到那恩；因此他们常常因为把应许存记在心得到很大的快乐。

在思念应许之外，要在你的心灵中接受它们，因为那是神的话。你要在心中说：“若是一个人的应许，我应当仔细考虑他的能力和品性。对神的应许也当如此；我的眼不当过于注视恩典有多伟大——那能使我发生犹豫的；而当注视应许者的伟大——那能使我快乐起来。我的心哪！应许者是神，就是你的神，对你说话的神不能说谎。你现在所思想的他的话是真实的，像他的存在一样地真实。他是不变的神。他口中所出的一切话从来没有更改过，一字一句都没有反悔过。他也不缺乏能力，对你说这话的神是创造天地的主。他也不缺少智慧，他知道什么时候当给你或不当给你。因此，神的话既然是真实、不变、有力、智慧的，我就当相信这应许。若我们这样思念应许和应许者，我们就能经验到它们的甘美，也能使它们成全在我们身上。

“我主所言宝贝应许，安慰门徒行天路；就是说道：你的道路，我的眼睛常看顾。”

七月二十七日

经文: 谁能控告上帝所拣选的人呢？（罗马书八：33）

这是最蒙福的挑战，也是无法争辩的！被拣选之人的所有罪皆放在我们救恩的伟大元首身上，藉祂的赎罪而除去了。上帝的册子并不记载反对祂之百姓的罪；在基督里，他们永远称义了。当罪行被除去后，罪的刑罚也移去了。上帝忿怒的手不再击打基督徒，甚至没有一丝定罪的责备。信徒可能被天父责打，但是审判人的上帝除了对基督徒说：“我已赦免了你，你是无罪的。”以外，别无他言。基督徒是全不受任何刑罚，也不再有罪行。罪的权势也被移除了。虽然罪可能仍在我们的生命途上，以不停的争战来搅扰我们。但是对每个已与耶稣联合的心灵而言，罪是已被征服的敌人。倘若基督徒单单依靠上帝来获取胜利，没有一样罪是不能胜过的。在天国中，身穿白袍的人都是靠羔羊的宝血和他们所见证的道而得胜的（参阅启十二：11）。我们也能同样行。没有一种欲念会太有力，没有一种罪会太强烈以致侵袭我们。我们能藉基督的能力得胜。基督徒啊，你的罪已被处死了，它可能踢蹬挣扎，但却已注定死亡。上帝在它的额上已写上定罪的字样。基督已把罪钉死在祂的十字架了。现在就去把它毁灭，主将助你，活在赞美祂之中。到最后，罪恶及所有的罪行、羞辱和恐惧都将消灭。

Evening, July 27

Scripture: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?”(Romans 8:33)

Most blessed challenge! How unanswerable it is! Every sin of the elect was laid upon the great Champion of our salvation, and by the atonement carried away. There is no sin in God's book against his people: he seeth no sin in Jacob, neither iniquity in Israel; they are justified in Christ for ever. When the guilt of sin was taken away, the punishment of sin was removed. For the Christian there is no stroke from God's angry hand－nay, not so much as a single frown of punitive justice. The believer may be chastised by his Father, but God the Judge has nothing to say to the Christian, except “I have absolved thee: thou art acquitted.” For the Christian there is no penal death in this world, much less any second death. He is completely freed from all the punishment as well as the guilt of sin, and the power of sin is removed too. It may stand in our way, and agitate us with perpetual warfare; but sin is a conquered foe to every soul in union with Jesus. There is no sin which a Christian cannot overcome if he will only rely upon his God to do it. They who wear the white robe in heaven overcame through the blood of the Lamb, and we may do the same. No lust is too mighty, no besetting sin too strongly entrenched; we can overcome through the power of Christ. Do believe it, Christian, that thy sin is a condemned thing. It may kick and struggle, but it is doomed to die. God has written condemnation across its brow. Christ has crucified it, “nailing it to his cross.” Go now and mortify it, and the Lord help you to live to his praise, for sin with all its guilt, shame, and fear, is gone.

“Here's pardon for transgressions past,

It matters not how black their cast;

And, O my soul, with wonder view,

For sins to come here's pardon too.”

《竭诚为主》7月27日

人若立志遵着他的旨意行，就必晓得这教训……（约七17）

属灵悟性的金科玉律，不是智力，而是顺服。人若想得着科学知识，可循智力好奇去求；但人若要洞悉主耶稣的教训，只有靠顺服。事情对我来说是隐晦难明的，可以肯定必然有什么我是不肯去做的。智力上的暗晦从无知而来；属灵的黑暗却由不肯顺服而来。人领受了神的话语后，总即时落在考验之中。我们不肯顺服，却又稀奇自己何以在灵性上不见长进。耶稣说：“你在祭坛献礼物的时候，若想起弟兄向你怀怨……先去同弟兄和好。”耶稣的教训正命中我们生活的要害，在他面前我们一秒钟也不能装假。他的教导是彻底的。神的灵把自我维护的墙凿开，又使我们对从未想过的事敏感起来。

主耶稣若指出什么，不要规避。你若规避，就成了宗教骗徒。留意那些你耸肩不顾的事，就会明白为什么灵性停滞不前。去吧，即使冒着被人称为宗教狂热者的危险，也必须顺服神的吩咐。

祈祷◆“当他隐藏他的面，谁能看见他呢？”在这些等候的日子中，你与我们同在的记号是何其渺小。我不求任何外在成功的记号，只求能感应你的赐福和认可。

July 27 The Way To Know

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine . . .” John 7:17

The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to me, then I may be sure there is something I will not do. Intellectual darkness comes through ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey.

No man ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test over it. We disobey and then wonder why we don’t go on spiritually. ‘If when you come to the altar,’ said Jesus, ‘there you remember your brother hath ought against you . . . don't say another word to Me, but first go and put that thing right.’ The teaching of Jesus hits us where we live. We cannot stand as humbugs before Him for one second. He educates us down to the scruple. The Spirit of God unearths the spirit of self-vindication; He makes us sensitive to things we never thought of before.

When Jesus brings a thing home by His word, don't shirk it. If you do, you will become a religious humbug. Watch the things you shrug your shoulders over, and you will know why you do not go on spiritually. First go – at the risk of being thought fanatical you must obey what God tells you.

七月廿十七日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

神说话算话

经文:「我必将所应许大卫那圣洁可靠的恩典赐给你们。」（使徒行传13︰34）

人会失信，但　神却永不失信；尤其是　神恩典之约，更是确凿可靠，满有怜悯，正如大卫所说的：“　神却与我立永远的约。这约凡事坚稳。”

我们确知　神绝对说话算话，祂的每个应许都确实兑现，祂的恩典真切实在；纵然这应许因着死亡的缘故仿佛要落空，但　良善的神必要使祂的话有效。

我们确信，每个与神立约的人，必定得享神所应许的恩典。时候到了，这应许必会临到祂的每个选民，每个后裔，无分贵贱。

我们也确信，　神会源源不断地将祂的恩典临到属祂的百姓。祂不会出尔反尔。祂从前既然向我们施恩，现在也一样要为我们行更大的事。时候到了，尚未应允的祷告，终究要实现；且让我们稍安勿躁，耐心安静等候。

我们没有理由产生丝毫怀疑。因　神的爱，神的话语和祂的信实是确切可靠的。世事变迁无常，但在　神却是没有转动的影儿，正如诗歌中所唱的：祂的恩典持续恒久，永远信实，永远坚定。

More than Mere Words

Scripture: "I wilt give you the sure mercies of David"(Acts 13:34).

Nothing of man is sure; but everything of God is so. Especially are covenant mercies sure mercies, even as David said "an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure."

We are sure that the LORD meant His mercy. He did not speak mere words: there is substance and truth in every one of His promises. His mercies are mercies indeed. Even if a promise seems as if it must drop through by reason of death, yet it never shall, for the good LORD will make good His word.

We are sure that the LORD will bestow promised mercies on all His covenanted ones. They shall come in due course to all the chosen of the LORD. They are sure to all the seed, from the least of them unto the greatest of them. We are sure that the LORD will continue His mercies to His own people. He does not give and take. What He has granted us is the token of much more. That which we have not yet received is as sure as that which has already come; therefore, let us wait before the LORD and be still. There is no justifiable reason for the least doubt. God's love, and word, and faithfulness are sure. Many things are questionable, but of the LORD we sing --

For his mercies shall endure

Ever faithful, ever sure.

七月二十七日

当我们读创世记的时候，看到亚当吃了几个果子，神就命定他死，好象所犯的罪是很少而所受的刑罚是很重；但若再详细研究，就知道他是犯了最大的罪。

　　神给了亚当一条命令，这条命令是最容易守的；神不是命令他去作甚么事，也没叫他作一件最容易作的事，乃是叫他不要作甚么事，不作与他有害的事，不作与他有最大损害的事，是不作关系他生死的事；若是与他有利益的事不许他作，还可说这命令难守；乃是不许他作与自己有最大损害的事，再没有一条命令比神给亚当的命令更容易守的了；虽然如此，亚当还是背了约，真是显明了人的不义、人的悖逆、人的不顺从，所以亚当所犯的罪比一切罪都大，他的罪就成了众罪的根源；在他的罪中可以产生世上的一切罪，他的罪成了众罪之母。

　　神给主耶稣许多命令，主耶稣一件也没有违背；神最后给祂命令，叫祂为罪人、为仇敌钉死在十字架上，这命令是第一条又大又难守的命令，比起神给亚当的命令，就成了难易的两个极端；但主耶稣却欢欢喜喜地接受过来，成全了神的旨意，所以神在基督身上找著了顺从。为此，主耶稣虽然担当世人的罪孽死了，因著祂的顺从，祂得以从死里复活；因著祂的顺从，就消灭了死的权势。神称主耶稣为义的时候，那专门与神为敌、昼夜控告人的撒但，也衹好闭口不言。不是它自甘不言，乃因主是完全无可指责、无可挑剔的。

　　「因一次的过犯，众人都被定罪，照样，因一次的义行，众人也就被称义得生命了。因一人的悖逆，众人成为罪人，照样，因一人的顺从，众人也成为义了。」（罗五18至19）

《荒漠甘泉》7月27日

　　“你们要将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库…以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。”（玛3章10节）

　　亲爱的读者，神在这里对我们说：“我的孩子，天上的窗户和从前一点没有两样，窗闩和从前一样光滑，铁钮也一点没有生锈。这窗户我曾为摩西敞开，红海分开了。我曾为约书亚敞开，约但河停住了。我曾为基甸敞开，敌军逃跑了。现在我也愿意为你敞开——只要你肯让我这样作。在我这一面，天仍旧是一个丰富的仓库，泉源仍旧是满溢的，宝藏室仍旧满贮着礼物。所有的缺乏不是在我，乃是在你。但是我现在还在等候。试试我看！你去履行你方面的条件——将当纳的十分之一，全然送入仓库——其余的事情便是我的了。孩子，给我一个机会——给我一个倾福与你的机会。”

　　神的能力真是远超过我们所祷告的！我今天回想一想我多次在神前的请求——我所请求的是什么？我所请求的不过是一小杯水，海洋却依然留着！我所请求的不过是一线日光，日头却依然在着！我所求的和父所给的相差得多远啊——父所给的真是远超过我所求的！——乔怀德(J.H.Jowett)

七月廿十八日

我这样愚昧无知，在你面前如畜类一般。（诗73：22）

这是人顺着神自己的心意所作的坦白的承认。在讲到他内心的生活时，他说：“我这样愚昧无知。”平常的文字不能把“愚昧”的意义尽量表达出来。诗人在前面一节也说：“我见恶人的兴盛，就嫉妒（有羡慕意）愚昧人”（改译），这表示他也是愚昧，其中含着罪的成分。他认为他是这样的“愚昧”，他用“这样”两字加强他的语意：“我这样愚昧”。怎样愚昧，他并没有说出来。这种愚昧乃是有罪的，这种愚昧是不能轻恕的，而当因他的刚愎和明知故犯受罚，因为他妒忌恶人眼前的兴盛，而忘记要临到恶人的可怕结局。我们比诗人更好吗？我们能说自己聪明的吗？我们曾说我们已经尽善尽美，或说我们因受刑杖的管教，已把我们的刚愎除去了吗？嗐，这实在是骄傲！若诗人是愚昧的，仔细省查一下我们岂不更加愚昧吗？信徒啊！要往后看：你想想在神正以信实待你的时候，你是怎样疑惑他——想想当你在苦难中他伸手赐更大的福时，你却说“父啊！不要这样”，是多么愚昧；想想你在黑暗之中常念到他宝贵的应许，然而你却误解他的旨意，而哭喊着说：“这些事都归到我身上了！”其实这些事都是互相效力叫你得益处！想想你怎样因行乐并拣选罪，其实那种乐趣实在是你吃苦的根源！若我们知道我们的心是什么样子，我们就不能不承认我们的愚昧是有罪的；要解除这种“愚昧”，惟有用诗人的话作为我们的祷告：“你要以你的训言引导我。”

七月二十八日

经文: 祂周流四方行善事。（使徒行传十：38）

这寥寥无几的数字是描绘主耶稣基督的一富精美图画，这一描述只有对救主是完全并绝对正确的──祂周游四方行善事。从这一叙述，明显表示祂亲自行善。福音书告诉我们，祂以自己的手指触摸大痲疯病人，抹油在瞎子的眼睛上。虽然祂可以在远处说一句话。但祂还是亲自到病榻旁，亲手治愈痛苦的病人。这是我们要学的功课，我们欲行善，就必须亲自去行。亲手赒济穷人，温柔的一瞥或言语将增加礼物之价值。与朋友谈论祂的灵魂，你爱的吸引远较整室的论文对他的显响更大。我们的主行善的方法向我们表明祂是不断的行动！祂不仅对来到祂身旁的人行善，也忙于将怜悯“送出去”。祂的足迹遍布犹大全地，几乎没有一座村庄不因祂的出现而欣喜。就这而言，许多信徒服事主的怠惰态度是该受谴责的！但愿我们在行善上精力充沛。本节经文也暗示了耶稣基督是出去行善，“祂周游四方行善”并不因危险或困难受阻。祂寻找施恩的对象。在此也隐含了基督的坚持，以及祂目标的一致。这一主题的实际应用，可以用下面的话作总结：“基督给我们留下榜样，叫我们跟随祂的脚踪行。”（参阅彼前二：21）

Evening, July 28

Scripture: “Who went about doing good.”(Acts 10:38)

Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of a master's pencil. Of the Saviour and only of the Saviour is it true in the fullest, broadest, and most unqualified sense. “He went about doing good.” From this description it is evident that he did good personally. The evangelists constantly tell us that he touched the leper with his own finger, that he anointed the eyes of the blind, and that in cases where he was asked to speak the word only at a distance, he did not usually comply, but went himself to the sick bed, and there personally wrought the cure. A lesson to us, if we would do good, to do it ourselves. Give alms with your own hand; a kind look, or word, will enhance the value of the gift. Speak to a friend about his soul; your loving appeal will have more influence than a whole library of tracts. Our Lord's mode of doing good sets forth his incessant activity! He did not only the good which came close to hand, but he “went about” on his errands of mercy. Throughout the whole land of Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not gladdened by the sight of him. How this reproves the creeping, loitering manner, in which many professors serve the Lord. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, and be not weary in well doing. Does not the text imply that Jesus Christ went out of his way to do good? “He went about doing good.” He was never deterred by danger or difficulty. He sought out the objects of his gracious intentions. So must we. If old plans will not answer, we must try new ones, for fresh experiments sometimes achieve more than regular methods. Christ's perseverance, and the unity of his purpose, are also hinted at, and the practical application of the subject may be summed up in the words, “He hath left us an example that we should follow in his steps.”

《竭诚为主》7月28日

耶稣随即催门徒上船，先渡到那边……（可六45-52）

我们很容易这样想：主若催逼我们，我们若顺服他，他就必叫我们大大的成功。千万别把成功的梦想，当作神对我们的计划；神的计划可能恰好相反。我们以为神要领我们到某一特定的目的——一个理想的目标；其实并不是。到达某一目的，只是附带的事。我们所称为过程的，神却称为目标。

我对神的计划有何梦想？他的计划就是要我现在倚靠他和他的能力。在动荡不安之中，我若能保持平静不疑惑，这就是神计划的目标。神作工不是为某一个特别的终点；他的目标就在过程之中——要我看见他正行在波浪上；虽然不见边岸，没有目的地，但有一个肯定的确信，深知必然平安无事，因为我看见他正在海面上行走。这是过程，不是目标，使神得着荣耀。神的训练是即时的，不是等一会儿的。他的计划是这一分钟，不是将来某件事。我们不必顾及顺服之后会怎样；若牵挂以后会怎样，就走错了路。人所谓的训练与预备，神却称为目的。

神的目的是要我如今就知道，他能在我生命的混乱动荡中行走。若我们在前方另有目标，就不会充分关注当前；若我们意识到顺服就是目的，那么临到我们的每一刻都变得如珍如宝了。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，倘若那需要是出于你，我便欢喜！为着你教训我们“有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪，倒要欢喜”，我赞美你。

July 28 After Obedience – What?

“And straightway He constrained His disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side. . . .” Mark 6:45-52

We are apt to imagine that if Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God's purpose for us; His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. The question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end.

What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process – that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God.

God's training is for now, not presently. His purpose is for this minute, not for something in the future. We have nothing to do with the afterwards of obedience; we get wrong when we think of the afterwards. What men call training and preparation, God calls the end.

God's end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present: if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.

七月廿十八日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

自卑的必升高

经文:「所以你们要自卑，服在　神大能的手下，到了时候，祂必叫你们升高。」（彼得前书5︰6）

这等同于一个应许︰我们若自卑，　神就叫我们升高。谦卑引我们到尊荣，顺服在高升之先。在我们预备好能接受祝福的时侯，那使我们降卑的　神的手，正等待着，要把我们升高。那些懦弱屈服于人的淫威者，常得不着他们所渴望的帮助与支持；反之，那些在　神的手中谦卑己心的，不会贫乏，得享安慰，被扶持、得高举。因为　神一向使骄傲者降卑，使谦卑者升高。

　神做事有定时。现在就是我们当谦卑的时候，而且不管　神让我们处于顺境或逆境，我们都要一直保持谦卑的心。当　神击打我们时，我们的责任就是要绝对顺服，接受被炼净的工作。至于何时我们得以被高举，我们要等候　神的时间。神所安排的时日最为稳妥。我们是否不耐烦地哭求那时刻赶快来到？我们是否迫不及待地要　神把管教的杖挪开？若是这样，我们尚未真正谦卑下来，且让我们学习如何在　神面前安静顺服吧。

Bow Down; Be Lifted Up

Scripture: "Humble yourselves therefore order the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time"(1 Peter 5:6).

This is tantamount to a promise: if we will bow down, the LORD will lift us up. Humility leads to honor; submission is the way to exaltation. That same hand of God which presses us down is waiting to raise us up when we are prepared to bear the blessing. We stoop to conquer. Many cringe before men and yet miss the patronage they crave; but he that humbles himself under the hand of God shall not fail to be enriched, uplifted, sustained, and comforted by the ever-gracious One. It is a habit of Jehovah to cast down the proud and lift up the lowly.

Yet there is a time for the LORD's working. We ought now to humble ourselves, even at this present moment; and we are bound to keep on doing so whether the LORD lays His afflicting hand upon us or not. When the LORD smites, it is our special duty to accept the chastisement with profound submission. But as for the LORD's exaltation of us, that can only come "in due time," and God is the best judge of that day and hour. Do we cry out impatiently for the blessing? Would we wish for untimely honor? What are we at? Surely we are not truly humbled, or we should wait with quiet submission. So let us do.

七月二十八日

神的恩典常是藏在患难里面。患难对著世人常是刑罚，但是患难对著神的儿女总是益处。圣经中记载了很多人得福都是从患难中来的：摩西被拾进王宫去，是因为被丢在河里；约瑟作了埃及的宰相，也因为被卖为奴，又被下在监狱中；路得成为大卫王的祖母，是因成为贫穷的寡妇，在田间拾麦穗；哈拿作了先知的母亲，是因为受欺侮向神祷告；非利士人歌利亚攻击以色列人，才将大卫的英勇显明出来；亚述王西拿基立围困了耶路撒冷，希西家才从被围困中富强起来；但以理被下在狮子洞中，才看见神的保守；他的三个朋友被扔在火窑中，才看见神子与他们同在；以斯帖被掳在异邦，才拯救了全族的同胞。

　　以上诸位所得的福，都是先有难处，先遭了极大的不幸，而后才得了福气。这些还不是新约之下的信徒所爱慕的。但新约之下的圣徒所得一切属灵的福气，也是藉着患难而得的；患难不是恩典的本身，恩典也不是患难产生的，恩典是从耶稣基督来的，是神所赐的；然而信徒常藉着患难来得著它，恩典常是隐藏在患难中。我们因著患难学习了忍耐，因著患难得以成圣，因著患难进到神面前，因著患难不爱世界虚浮的荣耀。患难所以与属神的人有益，是因在我们里面有神的生命。没有生命的人，患难越发使他们犯罪。就如同有生命的树和无生命的木头，同在风雨日光之下，树是发旺生长，木头是腐化朽烂。离了日光雨露，树就不长，离了患难信徒也是不能长进。所以有许多圣徒都甘心放弃世上的福气和基督一同受患难。

　　「如果我们和祂一同受苦，也必和祂一同得荣耀。」（罗八17）

《荒漠甘泉》7月28日

　　“忘记背后，努力面前。”（腓3章13节）

　　主啊！求你叫我忘记我过去的得胜和过去的失败；过去的荣耀和过去的羞辱；过去的得意和过去的失意。求你叫我忘记我过去的经历；忘记十年前的，去年的，上个月的；忘记昨天的，上一个钟点的。主啊！求你使我忘记！求你使我做一个才生的婴孩那样无依无靠的仰望你！求你使我努力面前的；使我在你为我所预备的道路上直跑；在你为我所计划的工作上忠心；在你为我所规定的旨意上顺服。虽然如此，但求你不要让明天的忧虑来摸着我。我要“看你今天向我所要施行的救恩。”主啊！我相信今天的头发掉落一根，你在天上的簿子上必为我划出一根。但愿我天天的生活和工作，都和你天上的簿子相符！主啊！成全我的心愿！阿们！

七月廿十九日

然而我常与你同在。（诗73：23）

“然而”——好像是说，诗人不管他向神所承认的一切愚昧和无知怎样，他的得救并蒙悦纳是千真万确的，神面前的一切福分，无疑也都是他的。他深知自己的败坏和失丧，但是因着信心，他才光荣地喊道：“然而我常与你同在。”信徒啊！你不能不和亚萨一样地坦白承认已罪，你也要和他一样地高呼：“然而，我既属基督，我就常与神同在！”这就是说我们常在他的心中，他常想到我们，为我们的益处着想。常在他的眼中，神的眼永不打盹，常为我们的福分眷顾我们。常在他的手中，这样仇敌便不能把我们夺去。常在他的怀中为记念，正如大祭司永远把十二支派的名字就在自己的胸上一样。神啊！你常顾念我们。你的慈爱常常环绕我们。你常为我们的益处打算。你把我们放在你的手臂上为印记；你的爱比死更强，是众水所不能消灭的，是大水所不能淹没的。奇妙的恩典！你不看我们的可憎，你乃是在基督里面看我们，看我们已经穿上基督的义袍，在他的血中洗净；因此我们得以在你面前蒙悦纳，因此我们常在你的恩典里——“常与你同在”。这是受苦受难之人的安慰，内心虽有风浪——外面却仍平静如常。你要在心中说“然而”，并要得到这话所给你的安慰。“然而我常与你同在。”

七月二十九日

经文: 凡父所赐给我的人，必到我这里来。（约翰福音六：37）

这一宣告包含了有关选民的教义──有一些灵魂是上帝赐给基督的，也包含了有效呼召的教义──这些上帝所赐的人，必要到祂这里来。虽然他们自己可能抵挡，但是终必脱离黑暗进入上帝奇妙的光中。这一宣告也教导我们信心的必然性──虽然这些人是赐给基督的人，但除非他们来到祂面前，否则不能得救。进入天国别无他法，唯有通过大门，就是基督耶稣。父所赐给救赎主的人必须到祂那里去，因此，除非他们来就基督，否则无人能进入天国。哦，在这两字“必来”中有何等的能力和权威！主耶稣用祂的使者、祂的话语、和祂的灵、甜蜜地、满有恩典地驱使人来，使他们可以在祂的婚宴中坐席，祂并不强迫人，祂给人自由选择，却以祂恩典的能力吸引他来。我可能在别人的意愿上行使权力，但是别人仍有完全自由的意愿，因为约束之行为是建立在人共同认可的律法上。耶稣用不可抗拒之论点向明白的人说话，以有力的理由来吸引人心，此外尚有圣灵奥秘之影响，以全部力量和热情在心灵中工作。以前曾经悖逆的人，现在以喜乐的心降服在耶稣的管理下，被至高者的爱所征服。那些被上帝所拣选的人，心甘情愿、欢喜快乐地接受基督，以单一、纯净的信心到祂跟前来。他们安息在祂里面，因祂是他们的救恩，也是他们一切所望，你是否也这样来就耶稣？

Evening, July 29

Scripture: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.”(John 6:37)

This declaration involves the doctrine of election: there are some whom the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual calling: these who are given must and shall come; however stoutly they may set themselves against it, yet they shall be brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. It teaches us the indispensable necessity of faith; for even those who are given to Christ are not saved except they come to Jesus. Even they must come, for there is no other way to heaven but by the door, Christ Jesus. All that the Father gives to our Redeemer must come to him, therefore none can come to heaven except they come to Christ.

Oh! the power and majesty which rest in the words “shall come.” He does not say they have power to come, nor they may come if they will, but they “shall come.” The Lord Jesus doth by his messengers, his word, and his Spirit, sweetly and graciously compel men to come in that they may eat of his marriage supper; and this he does, not by any violation of the free agency of man, but by the power of his grace. I may exercise power over another man's will, and yet that other man's will may be perfectly free, because the constraint is exercised in a manner accordant with the laws of the human mind. Jehovah Jesus knows how, by irresistible arguments addressed to the understanding, by mighty reasons appealing to the affections, and by the mysterious influence of his Holy Spirit operating upon all the powers and passions of the soul, so to subdue the whole man, that whereas he was once rebellious, he yields cheerfully to his government, subdued by sovereign love. But how shall those be known whom God hath chosen? By this result: that they do willingly and joyfully accept Christ, and come to him with simple and unfeigned faith, resting upon him as all their salvation and all their desire. Reader, have you thus come to Jesus?

《竭诚为主》7月29日

看哪，他驾云降临。（启一7）

在圣经里，云总与神有关。云就是我们个人生命中里里外外的悲哀痛苦，这些似乎与神的本质相违，但神的灵却正用这些云教我们在信心中行走。若没有云，就无法有信心。“云不过是我父脚下的尘。”云是他在这里的表征，当我们明白愁苦是与神一起来的云，那是何等的启示啊！没有云，神就无法就近，他不会万丈光芒地来。

不要说神要在试炼中教导我们什么，其实他要用每一朵云，去掉我们学的一些东西。神用云的目的，是要简化我们的信心，直到我们与他的关系像一个小孩子一样——只有神和我，别人不过是影儿。别人若不成为影儿，云和黑暗就必不断临到。我与神的关系，是否日益单纯？似乎难以明白神的旨意，与我们对他的认识有一定的关系；我们必须学习在认识神的光中，明白生命中的奥秘。除非我们能面对最黑暗的人生，而对神的性情仍无所歪曲，否则我们仍未认识神。

“他们进入云里，就甚惧怕……”在你的云里“除耶稣以外”，还有谁？若有，那云就会愈变愈黑。你一定要“不见一人，只见耶稣”。

祈祷◆噢，我的父神，云彩只是你足下的尘土！当恐惧过后，让我在神的眷佑、或神的属性、或神的恩典的每朵云彩中，不见别人，只见耶稣，直至恐惧不再存在。

July 29 What Do You See In Your Clouds?

“Behold, He cometh with clouds.” Revelation 1:7

In the Bible clouds are always connected with God. Clouds are those sorrows or sufferings or providences, within or without our personal lives, which seem to dispute the rule of God. It is by those very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were no clouds, we should have no faith. “The clouds are but the dust of our Father's feet.” The clouds are a sign that He is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow and bereavement and suffering are the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near without clouds, He does not come in clear shining.

It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials: through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in the cloud is to simplify our belief until our relationship to Him is exactly that of a child – God and my own soul, other people are shadows. Until other people become shadows, clouds and darkness will be mine every now and again. Is the relationship between myself and God getting simpler than ever it has been?

There is a connection between the strange providences of God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Unless we can look the darkest, blackest fact full in the face without damaging God's character, we do not yet know Him.

“They feared as they entered the cloud . . .” – Is there anyone “save Jesus only” in your cloud? If so, it will get darker; you must get to the place where there is “no one any more save Jesus only.”

七月廿十九日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

赶出仇敌

经文:「耶和华……赶出你的仇敌。」（西番雅书3︰15）

这是何等有力的宣告：赶出仇敌！撒但不能在我们心中作王，就像牠在天上无位无份一样。我们的主耶稣已经打破仇敌对我们的统治。虽然牠可以让我们忧虑，但无法宣称我们属于牠。我们的灵不再受仇敌捆绑：神子已经释放了我们，我们自由了！

但这个死敌仍然会控告我们，即使牠已被我们的主赶走。为我们伸冤的主叫那控告者缄默。我们的主斥责仇敌，并为我们的灵辩护。所以，无论撒但怎样诽谤辱骂，都不能危害我们。

撒但——引诱者——邪恶的灵总是设法乘虚而入，搅扰、引诱我们的心偏离正道；但仍会被昔日的大能者赶走，像蛇那样弯曲匐行，无法统治驾驭我们。但一有机会，牠总要灌输我们亵渎的思想。但是，感谢　神！　神已喝斥，叫牠安静，牠只好像棒下野狗，夹着尾巴溜走。

若有人正为仇敌的叫嚣而忧虑、疲惫，主啊，斥责牠，把仇敌赶走，让祢在孩子面前，得荣耀。主啊，赶走仇敌，把牠从世界上赶出！

He Routs Our Enemy

Scripture: "He hath cast out thine enemy"(Zephaniah 3:15).

What a casting out was that! Satan has lost his throne in our nature even as he lost his seat in heaven. Our LORD Jesus has destroyed the enemy's reigning power over us. He may worry us, but he cannot claim us as his own. His bonds are no longer upon our spirits: the Son has made us free, and we are free indeed.

Still is the archenemy the accuser of the brethren; but even from this position our LORD has driven him. Our Advocate silences our accuser. The LORD rebukes our enemies and pleads the causes of our soul, so that no harm comes of all the devil's revilings.

As a tempter, the evil spirit still assails us and insinuates himself into our minds; but thence also is he cast out as to his former pre-eminence. He wriggles about like a serpent, but he cannot rule like a sovereign. He hurls in blasphemous thoughts when he has opportunity; but what a relief it is when he is told to be quiet and is made to slink off like a whipped cur! LORD, do this for any who are at this time worried and wearied by his barkings. Cast out their enemy, and be Thou glorious in their eyes. Thou hast cast him down; LORD, cast him out. Oh, that Thou wouldst banish him from the world!

七月二十九日

　小孩子生下来就会吃奶，满了一岁就会走路、会说话，渐长会读书，手中满了技巧，这一切都是人的本能，学习不过是启发他的本能。若是一只狗，无论如何学习也不能使它会说话，使它会读书，使它会算账。人会犯罪也是人生命中的本能，不是学的会犯罪，不良的环境是给人更多犯罪的启发和机会，罪是结合在人的生命中，所以若不除灭犯罪的生命，人就不能脱离罪。

　　世上的人不论红、黄、黑、白、棕，本能都是相同的，犯罪也是相同的。这证明人都是从一个始祖的生命中下来的。人若是有第二个始祖，生命的系统不同，本能的表现就不同了。但神在人的生命之外接上了神自己的生命，这生命就将我们与世人分别出来了，从我们接受了神生命的时候起，我们就开始与世人不同。因为生命的不同，生命中的表现也就不同了。我们也藉着学习启发神生命中的本能，就是行善。

　　从前人学习圣经，圣经的功用是把人都圈在罪中，叫人藉着律法知罪，叫人知道人生命中没有良善；但有了神生命的人仍然学习圣经，而圣经对信徒的功用就不同了，圣经是启发我们所得神生命中的本能，是叫我们知道如何行善。圣经中有清楚的明文，论到圣经的功用，对在律法下的人和对在基督里的人不同。保罗说：「但圣经把众人都圈在罪里。」（加三22）这众人是指著未信主的人说的。保罗又说：「圣经都是神所默示的……叫属神的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事。」（提后三16至17）

　　保罗清楚地说：圣经对未信主之人是把他们圈在罪里，在已信主之人是启发他们的善行。

《荒漠甘泉》7月29日

　　“你曾…见过雹仓么？……这雹乃是我为降灾…………的日子所预备的。”（伯38章22-23节）

　　我们所遭遇的试炼是神给我们的好机会，我们却常常将它当作障碍。如果我们知道每一次的困难都是神所选的方法——向我们证明他爱的方法——我们就能得到安息和激励。

　　让我们回想回想过去的经历，我们中间一定有许多人会记得：什么时候我们的父要替我们成就一件美事，要赐我们一件福份，什么时候我们就会遭到痛苦和逼迫。神送我们的礼物，总是包裹得很粗陋，藉皮色黝黑的仆人送来的；但是一打开来，我们就发现里面所包裹着的，是王宫里的珍宝和新郎的爱。——信宣(A.B.Simpson)

　　读者，你当在黑暗中仰赖主，用不移的信心尊敬他；这样，你就会得到新的力量。——马克特夫(J.R.Macduff)

七月三十日

思想起来，就哭了。（可14：72）

有人认为彼得终生一想到他不认主的事，泪泉就涌流如注。其实并不一定这样，因为他的罪虽然很大，可是他所得的恩赦也是完全的。一切被救赎的人都有相同的经验，便是要看神的灵把他的石心除去了多少。我们，像彼得一样，也曾夸口说：“众人虽然跌倒，我总不能。”我们常是把我们的话和悔改的苦菜同食。当我们想到我们的誓愿和行动时，我们的心不能不难受得泪下如雨。

他想到他怎样不承认主。他在什么地方不承认主，他犯这可恶之罪的原因是多么渺小，他怎样发誓并亵渎，为的是要证实他并不认识主，并且可怕的情景又怎样地一再刺痛着他的心。当我们得知我们的罪，是多么罪大恶极的时候，我们能若无其事地照旧硬立着心肠吗？我们不愿使我们的家成为波金（士2：5）向神痛悔，求神再使我们得到赦罪之爱吗？我们每逢看罪，眼里不能不含着泪，不然我们的舌头必受地狱之火的烤炙。

彼得也想到主“看”他的爱。主在鸡叫以后用忧伤、怜悯和慈爱的眼光看彼得，那一看是彼得终生所不会忘记的，那一看比千万没有灵力的讲章有力量得多。悔罪的使徒在想到救主完全的赦免使他恢复原来的地位之时，不能不痛哭流泪；每逢想到我们怎样背弃和顶撞这样恩慈善良的主，便不能不流泪哭泣。

主啊！击打我们的石心，使水流出来。

七月三十日

经文: 到我这里来的，我总不丢弃他。（约翰福音六：37）

这个应许是持续的，也是无限的。不仅仅是：“第一次到我这里来的罪人，我不丢弃他。”而是，“我总不丢弃他。”原文是：“我必不，不丢弃他。”或是“我永不，永不丢弃他。”经文的意思是一个相信基督的人第一次来到祂眼前，祂不会抛弃他，并且至终也不会抛弃他。但是假设这人相信主以后再犯罪了，又会如何？“若有人犯罪，在父那里我们有一位中保，就是那义者耶稣基督。”（约壹二：1）。但是假设信徒背道了，又会如何呢？“我必医治他们背道的病，甘心爱他们，因为我的怒气向他们转消。”（何十四：4）。信徒可能在试探中失败。“上帝是信实的，必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的。在试探的时候，总是给你开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。”（林前十：13）。信徒也可能落入像大卫所犯的罪中，但是上帝也听了他悔罪的恳求：“求祢用牛膝草洁净我，我就干净。求祢洗涤我，我就比雪更白。”（诗五十一：7），“我要除尽他们的一切罪”（耶三十三：8）。耶稣应许说：“我又赐给他们永生。他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。”（约十：28）。你来到基督面前，祂就接受你，并使你作祂的新妇。你永远属祂。

Evening, July 30

Scripture: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”(John 6:37)

No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, “I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming,” but, “I will in no wise cast out.” The original reads, “I will not, not cast out,” or “I will never, never cast out.” The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as he will not do it at first, so he will not to the last.

But suppose the believer sins after coming? “If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” But suppose that believers backslide? “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” But believers may fall under temptation! “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but he will “Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; he will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow”; “From all their iniquities will I cleanse them.”

“Once in Christ, in Christ for ever,

Nothing from his love can sever.”

“I give unto my sheep,” saith he, “eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but he will receive thee and make thee his bride, and thou shalt be his for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: “I will in no wise cast out.”

《竭诚为主》 7月30日

耶稣却不将自己交托他们……因他知道人心里所存的。（约二24-25）

觉醒就是在生命中再没有错误的判断。受错觉的蒙骗，会使我们对人的批评变得苛刻，好冷嘲热讽。但从神而来的觉醒，却使我们认清人的本相，而又不愤世嫉俗，也没有尖酸苦毒的说话。人生许多的痛苦，都是由于我们受错觉的蒙蔽。对别人的观感，我们只凭自己的想法，而非忠于事实。对我们来说，每一事物若非好便是坏。不愿从错觉中醒悟，是导致人生种种痛苦的因由。情形就是这样：我们若爱一个人，却不爱神，便会要求他完全正直无暇。一旦得不到，就变得残酷，要报复；我们要求的，是一个人无法做到的。只有主耶稣才能满足人心中最深的渴求。主耶稣对每种人际关系的看法，是相当严厉的；因为他知道任何一种不忠于主为基础的关系，到头来必定悲剧收场。主虽然不把自己交托给人，但他从不多疑，也不尖刻苦毒。他对神的信赖，以及对他恩典全能的信赖，使他对任何人都不绝望。我们的信赖若在人身上，结果必是对人失望。

祈祷◆主啊，对于你道路的细节，我虽然一无所知，但我期盼你奇妙的作为尽快显明。我是何其全然安息，得见你的道路时，又是何其释然。

July 30 The Discipline Of Disillusionment

“Jesus did not commit Himself unto them for He knew what was in man.” John 2:24-25

Disillusionment means that there are no more false judgments in life. To be undeceived by disillusionment may leave us cynical and unkindly severe in our judgment of others, but the disillusionment which comes from God brings us to the place where we see men and women as they really are, and yet there is no cynicism, we have no stinging, bitter things to say. Many of the cruel things in life spring from the fact that we suffer from illusions. We are not true to one another as facts; we are true only to our ideas of one another. Everything is either delightful and fine, or mean and dastardly, according to our idea.

The refusal to be disillusioned is the cause of much of the suffering in human life. It works in this way – if we love a human being and do not love God, we demand of him every perfection and every rectitude, and when we do not get it we become cruel and vindictive; we are demanding of a human being that which he or she cannot give. There is only one Being Who can satisfy the last aching abyss of the human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Why Our Lord is apparently so severe regarding every human relationship is because He knows that every relationship not based on loyalty to Himself will end in disaster. Our Lord trusted no man, yet He was never suspicious, never bitter. Our Lord's confidence in God and in what His grace could do for any man, was so perfect that He despaired of no one. If our trust is placed in human beings, we shall end in despairing of everyone.

七月三十日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

天上相见

经文:「我要再见你们，你们的心就喜乐了.」（约翰福音16︰22）

耶稣必会再来，到那时候，我们与祂，祂与我们，要再相见，那是何等欢欣快乐的时刻！

但这应许也在以另一种方式每天都在实现：恩惠的主在与我们相交时，已经多次「再」临。当我们又因犯罪而忧伤痛悔时，主就再次用眼目观看我们，原谅我们，并用祂的话洁净我们。祂已经向我们启示，　神已接纳我们，若我们对这应许，仍有些许疑虑，祂就会一而再再而三地向我们显现，并保证︰「　神的平安必与你同在。」由此，我们就能欢喜快乐。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹，你若尝过主恩的滋味，就知道　神的慈爱是昔在今在永在的。若耶稣曾与我们同在，将来我们也要与祂再相见。不要把曾经得享的主恩埋葬，要时常数算；要视主恩为播下的种子，继续生长，待破土而出时高呼：「我要再见你们」。

你是否现在正处于黑暗之中，觉得耶稣远离你吗？振作起来！祂就在附近，祂的脚步快如鹿蹄，就要来与你见面。让我们再次充满喜乐与期待，因此时祂正在对我们说：“我要再见你们”。

Promise of Future Meeting

Scripture: "l will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice"(John 16:22).

Surely He will come a second time, and then, when He sees us and we see Him, there will be rejoicings indeed. Oh, for that joyous return! But this promise is being dainty fulfilled in another sense. Our gracious LORD has many "agains" in His dealings with us. He gave us pardon, and He sees us again and repeats the absolving word as fresh sins cause us grief. He has revealed to us our acceptance before God, and when our faith in that blessing grows a little dim, He comes to us again and again and says, "Peace be unto you," and our hearts are glad.

Beloved, all our past mercies are tokens of future mercies. If Jesus has been with us, He will see us again. Look upon no former favor as a dead and buried thing, to be mourned over; but regard it as a seed sown, which will grow, and push its head up from the dust, and cry, "I will see you again." Are the times dark because Jesus is not with us as He used to be? Let us pluck up courage; for He will not be long away. His feet are as those of a roe or young hart, and they will soon bring Him to us. Wherefore let us begin to be joyous, since He saith to us even now, "I will see you again."

七月三十日

　　多祷告可以加添信心，多看圣经可以加添信心，认识神的信实最能加添我们的信心。因为信是从信而生的，若没有信实就没有信心，虚谎的事永远引不起人的信心来，虽然可以欺骗于一时，但被揭露之后就无人肯信。我们信神是因为神是信实的。

　　圣经中很多这样的证据：这义是本于信，以致于信。（罗一17）就是神的义，因耶稣基督的信，（原文）加给一切相信的人。（罗三22）使所应许的福因耶稣基督的信，（原文）归给那信的人，（加三22）难道他们的不信，就废掉神的信么？断乎不能；不如说，神是真实的，人都是虚谎的。（罗三3至4）如今我在肉身活著是因神儿子的信（原文）而活。（加二20）我们纵然失信，祂乃是可信的，因为祂不能背乎自己。（提后二13）神愿意为那承受应许的人，格外显明祂的旨意是不更改的，就起誓为证；藉这两件不更改的事，神决不说谎。（来六17至18）

　　神的信既然产生了我们的信，我们又因信得回到神的信实中，我们的信与神的信联合为一的时候，神的福就照著我们信心的大小倾倒下来。

　　小孩子为甚么信赖他的父母，因为他父母不欺骗他，他信他父母是可信的。小孩子为甚么不信外人，他知道外人是不可信的。我们若是真认识了神的信实，就要活在神的信实中，好象小孩子活在父母的怀抱中，自己是何等的安息在神的大能手中。但我们信神信实的心太小，不信的恶心，遮蔽了神的信实，怀疑了神，因此我们得不著神丰足的恩典，天天恐怖、忧虑。

《荒漠甘泉》7月30日

　　“只…一杯凉水。”（太10章42节）

　　我应当怎样作呢？我在这世界的日子非常短少，所以有什么工作，恩惠，服役，我能给人的，让我现在就给吧。让我不再忽视，不再迟延吧；因为以后我没有机会再经过这条路了。——贵格会格言(An Old Quaker saying)

　　把你所有的给人；你所给的，对他也许有出你意外的帮助。——郎弗罗(Longfellow)

七月卅一日

我在他们里面。（约 17：23）

若我们的心灵与我们的主有这样密切的关系，你看我们的交通有多深广呀！这并不是小管之中的一线细流，而是又深又广的河道，涌流着汪洋的活水。看哪！他在我们面前给我们一个敞开的门，我们为何迟疑不前？这一座交通的城有许多珍珠门，每一个门都有一颗珍珠，并且都为我们大开，等待并迎接我们进去。若仅有一个小洞让我们与耶稣交谈，那已是极大的权利，我们也必从窄门里和主说话；那麼，我们有这麼大的一个门，岂不是更蒙大福吗？若主耶稣距我们很远，中间隔开许多风浪大作的海洋，那麼我们必切着派遣使者把我们的爱带给他，并把神家的信息带来；但你看他的恩慈，他家的门就靠近我们，不，他乃是与我们同在，他在我们卑微的心中安设帐棚，好不断地与我们交谈。若我们不常与他相交，那是一件多么愚蠢的事呀！若是路途遥远、危险并艰难，我们不怪朋友们彼此的疏淡；但是既然住在一起，那麼约拿单会忘记大卫吗？丈夫远出，妻子虽然不能与丈夫谈话，也可以安心独居；但若丈夫就在隔壁一间屋子里，那麼她能忍受与他分离的苦吗？信徒啊！你不是坐在他的筵席之上吗？要寻求主，因为他已经靠近你；要抱住他，因为他是你的兄长；紧紧抓住他，因为他是你的丈夫；把他放在你的心上，因为他是你自己的骨肉。

“常在我里面的，我也常在他里面。”

七月三十一日

经文: 歌唱的……昼夜供职。（历代志上九：33）

上帝命令圣殿中的圣歌要永不停止。歌唱者不停赞美主，祂的慈爱永远长存。因为慈爱的管理不分昼夜，永不停止，所以音乐也不能停止。在锡安圣殿的不断歌唱中，信徒可以学到一项功课。你也是一个欠债的人，故要留意不使你的感恩、你的爱停顿。在天上，你永远的居所中，神的赞美是永不停止的。学习并练习那永远的哈利路亚。当阳光普照大地时，祂的光苏醒了感恩的信徒，使他们唱出晨间的赞美诗歌。赞美好像感恩的斗蓬包里了我们的地球，并以歌唱的金腰带将它束紧。因为“祂是”，因为祂创造之工和丰富的供应，因为祂向被造之物所显示的良善，特别因为祂救赎之行动，此外更因为这些奇妙的祝福如无尽之溪水涌流，所以祂永远配受赞美。赞美主总是好的，能使白昼欢乐，使星夜光明。使劳苦变为轻省，使忧伤得以化解。赞美发出使人圣洁的光辉，胜过了属世的欢乐，使世界的光黯淡，以致我们不再盲目附从。在此时刻，我们有可以高唱的歌吗？我们能从目前的喜乐、过去的得赎和将来的盼望编织一首歌吗？但愿我们被耶稣的爱激励，能以成圣喜悦的诗篇来结束今日。

Evening, July 31

Scripture: “And these are the singers ... they were employed in that work day and night.”(1 Chronicles 9:33)

Well was it so ordered in the temple that the sacred chant never ceased: for evermore did the singers praise the Lord, whose mercy endureth for ever. As mercy did not cease to rule either by day or by night, so neither did music hush its holy ministry. My heart, there is a lesson sweetly taught to thee in the ceaseless song of Zion's temple, thou too art a constant debtor, and see thou to it that thy gratitude, like charity, never faileth. God's praise is constant in heaven, which is to be thy final dwelling-place, learn thou to practise the eternal hallelujah. Around the earth as the sun scatters his light, his beams awaken grateful believers to tune their morning hymn, so that by the priesthood of the saints perpetual praise is kept up at all hours, they swathe our globe in a mantle of thanksgiving, and girdle it with a golden belt of song.

The Lord always deserves to be praised for what he is in himself, for his works of creation and providence, for his goodness towards his creatures, and especially for the transcendent act of redemption, and all the marvellous blessing flowing therefrom. It is always beneficial to praise the Lord; it cheers the day and brightens the night; it lightens toil and softens sorrow; and over earthly gladness it sheds a sanctifying radiance which makes it less liable to blind us with its glare. Have we not something to sing about at this moment? Can we not weave a song out of our present joys, or our past deliverances, or our future hopes? Earth yields her summer fruits: the hay is housed, the golden grain invites the sickle, and the sun tarrying long to shine upon a fruitful earth, shortens the interval of shade that we may lengthen the hours of devout worship. By the love of Jesus, let us be stirred up to close the day with a psalm of sanctified gladness.

《竭诚为主》 7月31日

但忍耐也当成功，使你们成全完备，毫无缺欠。（雅一4）

大部分人在生活上大体没有问题，可是在某些事上却很马虎。这不是罪的问题，而是属肉体的生命，叫我们马虎。得过且过是对圣灵的一种侮辱。我们不应在任何事上懒散马虎，不管是饮食，或是敬拜神。

我们与神不仅要有良好的关系，而这关系的外在表现也要正确。神不会容许任何事逃过他，每一细节他都鉴察。他会用无数的方法，把我们一次又一次地带到同一问题上。他会不厌其烦地重复又重复地，直到我们学好了那功课，因为他是要成全完备的产品。也许是冲动，也许是心不在焉，又或许是惟我独尊的个人主义，他会一而再、再而三、恒切忍耐地带我们回到同一的功课上。神总要我们觉醒，知道这件事不妥当。

对神救赎的启示，我们有美好的学习，对他我们是全心全意的；他在我们身上作成的奇妙大工，叫我们知道在大体上与他的关系是正常的；但如今圣灵却藉雅各说：“忍耐也当成功（让你们的忍耐成为一件制成品——英译）”当心苟且马虎的态度——“不管它，暂且算了吧。”不论是什么，神一定会坚持地指出，直至我们完全。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，愿你的脸光临到我们，让你伟大而荣耀的声音和同在，覆遍这地。

July 31 Till You Are Entirely His

“Let your endurance be a finished product, so that you may be finished and complete, with never a defect.” James 1:4 (MOFFATT)

Many of us are all right in the main, but there are some domains in which we are slovenly. It is not a question of sin, but of the remnants of the carnal life which are apt to make us slovenly. Slovenliness is an insult to the Holy Ghost. There should be nothing slovenly, whether it be in the way we eat and drink, or in the way we worship God.

Not only must our relationship to God be right, but the external expression of that relationship must be right. Ultimately God will let nothing escape, every detail is under His scrutiny. In numberless ways God will bring us back to the same point over and over again. He never tires of bringing us to the one point until we learn the lesson, because He is producing the finished product. It may be a question of impulse, and again and again, with the most persistent patience, God has brought us back to the one particular point; or it may be mental wool-gathering, or independent individuality. God is trying to impress upon us the one thing that is not entirely right.

We have been having a wonderful time this Session over the revelation of God's Redemption, our hearts are perfect towards Him; His wonderful work in us makes us know that in the main we are right with Him. “Now,” says the Spirit, through St. James, “let your endurance be a finished product.” Watch the slipshod bits – “Oh, that will have to do for now.” Whatever it is, God will point it out with persistence until we are entirely His.

七月卅一日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

神要搭救

经文:「并要在患难之日求告我，我必搭救你，你也要荣耀我。」（诗篇50︰15）

这的确是一个应许！在患难之日，眼看山穷水尽，前途暗淡，一切指望都没了。这应许就是针对这样的境况，是为那乌云密布的日子所预备的。

　神劝告说︰“来求告我。”这应该是基督徒每日的习惯，无需特别耳提面命。我们能自由地来到祂的施恩宝座前求告祂，这是何等大的恩典！我们若能善用这一权利，是何等的智慧！去倚靠人，寻求他们的帮助，是何等不智！　神吩咐我们把重担卸在祂脚前，我们当毫不迟疑地这样行。

　神令人安慰地鼓励道︰“我必搭救你。”无论是怎样的困境，在神一切难处将迎刃而解，祂的应许可靠尽都实现，必使你欢喜得救。祂将亲自向你伸手，使你转危为安。我们要相信这应许，　神必不叫仰望祂的人羞愧。

最后，　神告诉我们结局︰“你要荣耀我！”哦，这最是我们所当行的。当我们得拯救，我们禁不住要高声赞美祂。因为　神真的会这么做，让我们现在就立刻开口赞美祂！

An Appeal; Deliverance

Scripture: "And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me"(Psalm 50:15).

This is a promise indeed!

Here is an urgent occasion -- "the day of trouble." It is dark at noon on such a day, and every hour seems blacker than the one which came before it. Then is this promise in season: it is written for the cloudy day.

Here is condescending advice, "Call upon me." We ought not to need the exhortation: it should be our constant habit all the day and every day. What a mercy to have liberty to call upon God! What wisdom to make good use of it! How foolish to go running about to men! The LORD invites us to lay our case before Him, and surely we will not hesitate to do so.

Here is reassuring encouragement: "I will deliver thee." Whatever the trouble may be, the LORD makes no exceptions but promises full, sure, happy deliverance. He will Himself work out our deliverance by His own hand. We believe it, and the LORD honors faith.

Here is an ultimate result: "Thou shalt glorify Me." Ah, that we will do most abundantly. When He has delivered us we will loudly praise Him; and as He is sure to do it, let us begin to glorify Him at once.

七月三十一日

人与神的关系有了几千年的历史，有多少人信靠祂；没有一个信靠祂的人，试验神的结果说神是失了信用的，相反的，人都说神是信实的。

　　圣经上论主耶稣说：「我在锡安放一块石头，作为根基，是试验过的石头，是稳固根基，宝贵的房角石，信靠的人必不著急。」（赛二十八16）

　　神的信先立定了，我们的信就不动摇，我们信神是因为神是可信的；神为更坚固神与人的关系，就叫主耶稣作了神人的中保，保证两方的信用是不能破坏的，神的信永不废去，我们所信的也永不失落，这两个信就是永远得救的根基；就如两块铁熔化在一个炉中成为一块，完全合一没有裂痕，没有破口，撒但再不能象从前离间亚当那样而离间神与人的关系；撒但也无法破坏神与我们的保障，因为主耶稣已经从死里复活了，已经得胜了撒但。我们得救的事，就是这样稳固可靠，不但在得救的事上是这样可靠，在一切事上，衹要我们的信与神的信合一了，也都是这样可靠，正如保罗所说：「谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？有神称他们为义了。谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？……这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。」（罗八33至39）也如主自己的话：「我又赐给他们永生；他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去；我父把羊赐给我，祂比万有都大；谁也不能从我父手里把他们夺去。」（约十28至29

《荒漠甘泉》7月31日

　　“他用手中的巧妙，引导他们。”（诗78篇72节）

　　当你前面的道路不明显的时候，你就应当将你的判断力完全让位给圣灵，求他为你封锁每一扇别的门户——只剩下那扇合宜的。同时，你应当继续站在你原来的地位上不动，如果你没有得到清楚的指示，就当把你所在的路径算为神的旨意…当你在长廊上行走的时候，你就要看见神行在你的前面，封锁了许多你愿意进去的门户；但是你必须记得：在这些门户以外，还有一扇，是他为你的缘故留着不锁的。打开来，走进去，在那里你要面对面看见一道充满机会的河流——比你在最欢乐的梦中所想象的更阔，更深；并且是直通大海的。

　　神常常藉环境引导我们。有时候，前面的道路似乎完全塞住了；但是隔不多久，一件平凡的事情发生了。这件事情，对于别人，也许算不了一回事；但是对于信心敏锐的眼睛，却能示意不少。有时候，这样的事情，竟会反复遇到好几次。这并不是偶然的事，乃是神在为我们敞开一条当走的路径来。我们越往前走，所得到的指导也越多；正如坐在一部飞快的夜快车上：火车越近城市，我们所看见的灯光也越多。——梅尔(F.B.Meyer)