9/18 司布真每日靈修(夜) Evening by Evening

九月十八日

經文: 他們也跟著我。（約翰福音十：27）

我們應當毫無遲疑地跟隨我們的主，如同羊群跟隨牧人一樣，因為祂有權利引導我們至祂所喜悅的地方。我們並不是自己的人，是祂重價買來的（參閱林前六：20）。但願我們都能承認救贖寶血的權利。士兵跟隨長官，僕人服從主人。我們必須跟從拯救我們的主。祂買贖我們成為祂的產業。我們若質問主的命令而承認自己是基督徒，不是真的基督徒。順服是我們的責任，抱怨是我們的羞恥。我們的主會對我們說，就如同祂當年對彼得所說的：「與你何干？你跟從我吧！」（約二十一：22）。耶穌無論領我們到何處，祂必行在我們前頭。有這樣的一位同伴，誰還畏懼途徑上的危險？路途可能漫長，但是有祂永遠的膀臂扶持我們直至終點。耶穌的同在就是永恆救恩的確據。因為祂活著，我們也能活著。我們只需以單純的信心跟隨基督，因為祂所引領的路徑導至榮耀和永生。路徑可能並不平順，但是導向那「有根基的城，就是上帝所經營所建造的」（來十一：10）。「凡遵守祂的約和祂法度的人，耶和華都以慈愛誠實待他。」（詩二十五：10）但願我們完全信靠我們的「領導者」。我們明白，無論是興旺、是災難；是疾病、是健康；是受歡迎、是被藐視；都是為了實現祂純潔完美的目的。較之那些安坐家中，藉世界的壁爐烤火取暖的人，祂的大愛更能使我們蒙福。無論登上山頂或下到獅子坑中，我們必跟隨至愛的主。

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Evening, September 18

Scripture: “And they follow me.”(John 10:27)

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price—let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty, cavilling is our folly. Often might our Lord say to us as to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road? The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths—they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant.” Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, his dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world's fire. To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards, we will follow our Beloved. Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after thee.

9/18 慕安德烈每日靈修 God's Best Secrets by Andrew Murray

兩位主席

經文: 「我勸你，第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；為君王和一切在位的，也該如此，使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事的度日。」（提摩太前書二：1～2）

在布魯番庭婦女紀念碑揭幕典禮前，我在荷蘭教會有一篇短講，講到有關這些婦女的受苦、禱告，以及得勝的愛，她們切切祈求上帝讓她們不致懷恨，但對仇敵有愛心。我向他們宣導，希望這樣的愛，也能成為我們所擁有的愛，絕不讓任何事攔阻我們追求和平合一的願望。 我說有些人害怕不合，不只是種族與種族之間，也是個人與個人之間，不久前我就聽說兩個黨派的主席之間有嫌隙隔闔。         為此我如鯁在喉，不得不寫這篇文章，提出一個問題：「你為誰禱告？」某人說：「我為政府元首禱告，他在上帝引導下，曾是征戰的元帥，現在是南非的首長。」另外一人說：「我為那位真正為民服務，關心人民福祉的在野領袖禱告。」想想這不是挺悲哀的事嗎！在上帝的面前，人民分做兩個黨派，彼此為各自的領導者祈禱，卻彼此仇視和敵視。不，我們不能這樣，我們一定要為在上位的領導者禱告，因為無論他們是好是壞，他們的影響力都無可限量。君王的心就像隴溝的水，在上帝的手中隨意流轉，讓我們將禱告的馨香之祭誠心獻上，上帝必要垂聽且要賜恩惠給全地。讓我們這樣禱告：「主啊！讓君王的心在祢手中，願祢親自來教導他們遵行祢的旨意。」

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THE TWO LEADERS

Scripture: "I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."—1 TIM. ii. 1, 2.

At the time of the unveiling of the Women's Monument at Bloemfontein, before the procession took place, I spoke a few words in the Dutch Church about the suffering, praying, all-con¬quering love of these women, who, they say, prayed earnestly that God would keep them from hatred, or want of love towards their enemies. I expressed the hope that this prayerful love might be ours, and that nothing might be done to disturb the feeling of peace and unity. I said that there were some who feared disunion, not only between the two races in the country, but between those who were fellow-countrymen. Not long after, we heard that there had been a breach between the leaders of the two parties.         I felt impelled to write an article on the question: "For whom do you pray ?" Some one answers: "I pray for the man at the head of the Government, and who, under God's guidance, as General of the burghers in the war, has now become the leader of all South Africa. I pray for him." And another: "I pray especially for the man who has been serviceable in bringing the interests of his people into the foreground." But would it not be sad if we came into God's presence divided into two camps, praying one against the other? No, we must pray for both our leaders, and for all who are in authority. As leaders of the people, their influence, for good or evil, is inexpressible. Their hearts are in God's hands, and He can turn them whithersoever He wills. Let our prayers ascend to God in all sincerity, and He will hear, and grant that which is good for the whole land. Let us pray: "Lord, the hearts of rulers are in Thy hands; teach them to do Thy will."

9/17/2011 以利沙的苦難（四）── 以色列的戰車馬兵

經文:
王下十三14~21
鑰節:
以利沙得了必死的病，以色列王約阿施下來看他，伏在他臉上哭泣，說：我父阿！我父阿！以色列的戰車馬兵阿。（王下十三14）
參考經文:
王下八7~15；九1~10
提要
        上帝在每一個世代，呼召祂的僕人，都有其用意。以利亞一生的服事如烈火、如暴風，他傳達了上帝審判的信息，他的責備是嚴厲的，為了預備人心回轉向上帝。以利沙一生的服事，他藉著所行的神蹟來幫助、扶持那些需要的人；他在人群中作醫治和安慰的工作，來彰顯上帝的慈愛和恩典。對於背道的以色列國，上帝預備了兩位性格截然不同的僕人，執行責備、勸誡、挽回的工作。雖然以色列的結局，仍然照著上帝審判進行，但對那些謙卑忠心的人，上帝彰顯夠用的恩典和憐憫。
        聖經記載：「以利沙得了必死的病，以色列王約阿施下來看他，伏在他臉上哭泣，說：我父阿！我父阿！以色列的戰車馬兵阿。」（王下十三14）這不正是當年以利沙看著以利亞升天時所呼喊的嗎？如今這話應驗在以利沙身上，可見以利沙的存在，對以色列國而言，是何等重要。約阿施王明白以利沙的上帝，是以色列的真正保護者；如果失去先知的引導，以色列將陷入更大的危機中，以色列離敗亡之日不遠了（王下十三15~19）。特別注意，聖經記載：「以利沙死了，人將他葬埋。到了新年，有一群摩押人犯境。有人正葬死人，忽然看見一群人，就把死人拋在以利沙的墳墓裡。一碰著以利沙的骸骨，死人就復活站起來了。」（王下十三20~21）多麼不可思議！這段經文見證以利沙雖然死了，但他的能力並未消失：這是否預示基督復活的能力？值得深思。畢竟以利沙一生的服事，他的許多言語、作為與耶穌基督相類似，他的個性溫和、真誠、體貼人、具有同情心，他一生中行許多神蹟奇事，處處散發基督馨香之氣。親愛的，以利沙回應上帝對他的呼召，甘心從事艱難的服事，成為那一個世代見證上帝救恩的人。你是否也甘於主在你身上的揀選和安排？
默想
1.以利沙一生行了許多神蹟，但能力不是出於以利沙本人，而是出自揀選以利沙的上帝，是祂賜給以利沙的。每一個上帝的僕人都當儆醒，千萬不要搶奪上帝的榮耀，只有謙卑服事才能討主喜悅。
2.以利沙以信心和順服行完他一生事奉的道路，這是最完滿的人生。我們當如何才能行在上帝旨意之中？多思想上帝如何對待祂選召的僕人。
苦難的金言
1.小子哪，你當耐性等候，不要匆匆向前衝去！停留在你原來的地位上！直到雲彩清清楚楚地向上收去。因為這是你的主所喜悅的！祂是不會使你「太遲」的！──Daily Devotional Commentary
2.我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助，我們本不曉得當怎樣禱告，只是聖靈親自用說不出來的歎息，替我們禱告。鑒察人心的，曉得聖靈的意思。因為聖靈照著上帝的旨意替聖徒祈求。──羅八26~27
苦難的經文
1.以利沙得了必死的病，以色列王約阿施下來看他，伏在他臉上哭泣，說：我父阿！我父阿！以色列的戰車馬兵阿。（王下十三14）
2.以利沙死了，人將他葬埋。到了新年，有一群摩押人犯境。（王下十三20）
3.有人正葬死人，忽然看見一群人，就把死人拋在以利沙的墳墓裡；一碰著以利沙的骸骨，死人就復活站起來了。（王下十三21）
苦難中的禱告
        親愛的主阿，當麻煩的問題接踵而來，求祢教導我們學像小孩子般，存著一顆單純的心，謙卑地依靠祢。使我們存有一顆願意順服祢旨意的心，將一切交託祢，且用信心等候，用堅定的信心靠賴祢，祢必用大能的手在當中動那巧妙善工。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

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9/16 司布真每日靈修(夜) Evening by Evening

九月十六日

經文: 我對上帝說，我豈是洋海、豈是大魚、祢竟防守我呢？（約伯記七：12）

約伯所問的實在是一個奇怪的問題。他自以為是一個毫不重要的人，不必受嚴謹的守護和磨練。他也不感到自己是不守法的，需要被約束。對一個被不可理喻的苦難所包圍的人來說，這個疑問是很自然的。但是約伯的問題得到一個令人十分羞愧的答案。人不是大海。這是真的，但是他比大海更會製造麻煩，更不守約束。海洋尚且順從地尊重它的界限，雖然那只是一條沙帶。以自我意志為中心的人卻公然反對天國並壓迫世人。他反叛的怒火是無止境的。海洋服從月亮，潮汐按照永不止息的規則漲退，既主動又被動地順從。然而，人超越自己範圍動亂不停。他在工作崗位上打盹，應當活動之時卻偷懶。對上帝的命令不理不睬，故意去作不該作的事，要求他的反倒不作。海洋中的每一水滴、每一泡沫、每一波浪、和每一貝殼卵石都感到自然法則的能力，立即響應行動。唉，我們的本性可能至多只有海洋千分之一的意願，願意順從上帝的旨意！我們常稱海洋是變幻詭譎，其實它是多麼恆定！千百年前，在我們祖先的時代，海洋就已在它所在的地方，每天以一定的聲調拍擊著同一岩石。可是虛空善變的人又如何呢？聰明人能猜測自己下一刻因被誘離順服而犯下何種愚蠢的罪行嗎？我們必須比洶湧澎湃的大海更為謹守，因為我們實在是非常悖逆的。主啊，求祢為了自己的榮耀來管理我們。

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Evening, September 16

Scripture: “Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?”(Job 7:12)

This was a strange question for Job to ask of the Lord. He felt himself to be too insignificant to be so strictly watched and chastened, and he hoped that he was not so unruly as to need to be so restrained. The enquiry was natural from one surrounded with such insupportable miseries, but after all, it is capable of a very humbling answer. It is true man is not the sea, but he is even more troublesome and unruly. The sea obediently respects its boundary, and though it be but a belt of sand, it does not overleap the limit. Mighty as it is, it hears the divine hitherto, and when most raging with tempest it respects the word; but self-willed man defies heaven and oppresses earth, neither is there any end to this rebellious rage. The sea, obedient to the moon, ebbs and flows with ceaseless regularity, and thus renders an active as well as a passive obedience; but man, restless beyond his sphere, sleeps within the lines of duty, indolent where he should be active. He will neither come nor go at the divine command, but sullenly prefers to do what he should not, and to leave undone that which is required of him. Every drop in the ocean, every beaded bubble, and every yeasty foam-flake, every shell and pebble, feel the power of law, and yield or move at once. O that our nature were but one thousandth part as much conformed to the will of God! We call the sea fickle and false, but how constant it is! Since our fathers’ days, and the old time before them, the sea is where it was, beating on the same cliffs to the same tune; we know where to find it, it forsakes not its bed, and changes not in its ceaseless boom; but where is man-vain, fickle man? Can the wise man guess by what folly he will next be seduced from his obedience? We need more watching than the billowy sea, and are far more rebellious. Lord, rule us for thine own glory. Amen.

9/15 慕安德烈每日靈修 God's Best Secrets by Andrew Murray

饒恕而非忘記

經文: 「我要赦免他們的罪孽，不再記念他們的罪惡。」（耶利米書三十一：34）

一九一三年在布魯番庭一個婦女紀念碑揭幕典禮上，我恰巧坐在第一排的位置上，不久太陽越來越大，晒得我很不舒服。突然，後面有人伸過一把傘幫我遮陽，等講員說完話，我悄聲問我隔壁的姪兒：「誰這麼好心替我遮陽？」他說：「是杜威將軍。」我很驚訝，趕緊回頭致謝。後來我姪兒說他很樂意能為我服務，我心想他真是個有愛心特質的人。         不一會兒，輪到他上台演講，他說的我都很贊同，除了一點，他說：「饒恕——是的，忘記——絕不。」典禮結束，我同他握手致意：「你說你不能忘記，可知這會帶來怎樣結果？」         許多人被這話所迷惑。在農莊我看到一隻狗走到前門，想找一塊蔭涼地方歇著，但主人立刻把牠趕走，不一會兒，這狗兒又從後門溜進客廳。         這前門代表「我要原諒。」人們竭力地想把恨人的惡念排除心外，但這些念頭又很快地鑽進心房：「我永不忘記。」許多人相信上帝的饒恕大愛，但不明白上帝不但饒恕罪人，也忘記他的罪衍，「我要赦免他們的罪孽，也不再記念他們的過犯。」保羅在歌羅西書三章13節說：「總要彼此包容、彼此饒恕；主怎樣饒恕了你們，你們也要怎樣饒恕人。」

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FORGIVE, BUT NOT FORGET

Scripture: "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."—JER. xxxi. 34.

At the unveiling of the Women's Monument at Bloemfontein in 1913, I happened to be sitting in the front row on the platform at the foot of the Monument. After a while the sun became very hot. Suddenly I noticed that some one behind me was holding an umbrella over my head. When the speaker had finished, I asked my nephew beside me: "Who is so friendly as to hold an umbrella over my head?" His answer was: "General de Wet." I was surprised, and turning round, thanked him heartily. My nephew told me afterwards that he had said: "But I would gladly have paid for the privilege of doing it." I thought, what a generous nature to speak in that way. Presently his turn came to give an address. I could agree with all he said, except his last words, which were: ''Forgive—yes, but forget—never." When the ceremony was over, and I shook hands with him again, it was in my heart to say to him: "You say, 'I can never forget.' Be careful to what that may lead."         Many a one has allowed himself to be deceived by these words. On the farms, I have often seen a dog come in at the front door to seek coolness and shade. He would be driven out, and the door closed. Then he would go through the back door, and would soon be inside the house again. The front door is: "I will forgive." One wishes to put away all thought of hatred or ill-feeling. But see how quickly and quietly these evil thoughts come back through the back door of "I will never forget." Many a one trusts in God's forgiving love, but does not remember that when God forgives, He forgets. "I will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sins no more." And St. Paul gives us the advice in Col. iii. 13: "Forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

9/14 司布真每日靈修(夜) Evening by Evening

九月十四日

經文: 我向祢陳明我的罪，不隱瞞我的惡。我說，我要向耶和華承認我的過犯，祢就赦免我的罪惡。（詩篇三十二：5）

大衛深切地為罪憂傷。直至他在天國的恩典寶座前完全認罪，才得著醫治。他告訴我們，在保持沈默的那一段時期，他心中的罪惡感越發沈重。如同山上泉水的出口被堵塞，心靈因憂愁之激流而漲滿。他寬恕自己，企圖轉移自己的思想，但是一切皆屬徒然。他積鬱了極度的痛苦，因為他不願用認罪來使自己得釋放，所以他的心靈受極大折磨，不得安息。最後大衛明白他必須謙卑的懺悔回到上帝的面前，否則必死無疑。他急速來到施恩座前向無所不見的上帝承認他的惡行。對於驕傲的心，這是困難的，然而都是簡單的事。當他完成這一步時，立即獲得上帝的赦免。枯乾的骨頭即時開始歡呼。他開始歌唱過犯得蒙赦免的人所蒙的福。請看衷心承認罪惡的代價，確實是值得歌頌！每次真誠、迫切的認罪，都能白白地得到恩典，並不因為認罪悔改是配受恩典，乃因基督大愛的緣故！破碎的心必得醫治。泉源永不止息地湧流，為了潔淨我們的罪。主啊，祢真是一位「樂意饒恕人」（詩八十六：5）的上帝。因此，我們願意向祢承認自己的過犯。

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Evening, September 14

Scripture: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”(Psalm 32:5)

David's grief for sin was bitter. Its effects were visible upon his outward frame: “his bones waxed old”; “his moisture was turned into the drought of summer.” No remedy could he find, until he made a full confession before the throne of the heavenly grace. He tells us that for a time he kept silence, and his heart became more and more filled with grief: like a mountain tarn whose outlet is blocked up, his soul was swollen with torrents of sorrow. He fashioned excuses; he endeavoured to divert his thoughts, but it was all to no purpose; like a festering sore his anguish gathered, and as he would not use the lancet of confession, his spirit was full of torment, and knew no rest. At last it came to this, that he must return unto his God in humble penitence, or die outright; so he hastened to the mercy-seat, and there unrolled the volume of his iniquities before the all-seeing One, acknowledging all the evil of his ways in language such as you read in the fifty-first and other penitential Psalms. Having done this, a work so simple and yet so difficult to pride, he received at once the token of divine forgiveness; the bones which had been broken were made to rejoice, and he came forth from his closet to sing the blessedness of the man whose transgression is forgiven. See the value of a grace-wrought confession of sin! It is to be prized above all price, for in every case where there is a genuine, gracious confession, mercy is freely given, not because the repentance and confession deserve mercy, but for Christ's sake. Blessed be God, there is always healing for the broken heart; the fountain is ever flowing to cleanse us from our sins. Truly, O Lord, thou art a God “ready to pardon!” Therefore will we acknowledge our iniquities.

Adobe illustrator 影像作品／陳思年

如 經 上 所 記 ： 神 為 愛 他 的 人 所 預 備 的 是 眼 睛 未 曾 看 見 ， 耳 朵 未 曾 聽 見 ， 人 心 也 未 曾 想 到 的 。(歌 林 多 前 書 2:9)