You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard —Isaiah 52:12
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
昨日
以色列的神必作你們的後裔。 （賽五十二12）
脫離昨天的保證。 [神需要用過去的事。 ]
年終的時候，我們會期待地指望神帶領將來，但回想過去，也會帶來焦慮。今天對神恩典的享受，很容易受過去的罪與錯失影響。可是神是管理昨天的神，他容許過去的回憶存留，為的是將來的屬靈培育。神有時用過去提醒我們，免得我們停在現今膚淺的滿足裡。
明天的保證。 [因為耶和華必在你們前頭行。 ]
這是滿有恩典的啟示，神在我們失敗的地方守衛，留意不讓我們重蹈覆轍。若他不作後盾，我們勢必再犯。神的手伸到昨天去，為我們的良心清除存貨。
今天的保證。 [你們出來必不至急忙。 ]
在進入新一年之際，讓我們不要急躁鹵莽、興奮忘舊，也不要輕率衝動，只要從忍耐中得力，知道以色列的神必在前頭行。昨天無可挽回，錯過的機會永難再得，但神可以把這摧毀性得焦慮，變成建設性得心思，作將來之用。讓過去睡吧，但要睡在主耶穌的懷裡。
把一去不復返的過去放在他手中，然後與他一同踏進必要來到的將來。
祈禱◆主耶穌啊，[父一切的豐盛，都在你裡面居住]；[萬物都交在你的手裡]；[天上地下所有的權柄都賜給你了]－－噢，我天上的父神，願你按照你在基督耶穌榮耀裡的豐盛，滿足我一切的需要。
Showing posts with label Doubt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doubt. Show all posts
December 31, 2014
November 24, 2014
Direction of Focus
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters . . . , so our eyes look to the Lord our God . . . —Psalm 123:2
This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.
仰望的方向
看哪，僕人的眼睛怎樣望主人的手……我們的眼睛也照樣望耶和華我們的神……（詩一二三2）
這節經文是對神完全信賴的描寫。僕人的眼如何注視主人，我們的眼也同樣仰望神，以致對他的容貌認識日增（賽五十三1）。我們一不仰望神，就產生屬靈的漏症。這漏症不是由於外在的煩惱，而是在於我們有這樣的幻想：[我想自己伸展得太用力了，用腳尖站立，努力像神，而不作一個謙卑平凡人。 ]要知道並沒有太過竭力這一回事。
例如：你因為神而面臨危機，但你有聖靈得印證，知道怎樣去作才對。可是隨著年日過去，你卻逐漸有這樣得結論 - [看來，我不是過分自負嗎？我所作得不是太【過火】麽？ ]你那些講理智的朋友說：[別傻啦，你當時說起那個屬靈醒覺，我們就看出是一時的衝動，你受不起那種壓力的，神也不期望你這樣做。 ]你就會說：[這個，我想自己的期望也太過了。 ]聽來多謙卑，可是對神的信賴已盡失，開始信賴世界的見解。你不再仰賴神，不再抬頭注視他，這就是危機。惟有等到神突然把你停住，你才曉得自己是在倒退。所以，一發現有漏症，就該立即補救。要承認在你與神之間有了阻隔，並且要立刻去對付。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我在舉止和行為上何等緩慢地表現神仁慈的恩典！你的美譽何時才為著你的榮耀臨到我身上？
This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.
仰望的方向
看哪，僕人的眼睛怎樣望主人的手……我們的眼睛也照樣望耶和華我們的神……（詩一二三2）
這節經文是對神完全信賴的描寫。僕人的眼如何注視主人，我們的眼也同樣仰望神，以致對他的容貌認識日增（賽五十三1）。我們一不仰望神，就產生屬靈的漏症。這漏症不是由於外在的煩惱，而是在於我們有這樣的幻想：[我想自己伸展得太用力了，用腳尖站立，努力像神，而不作一個謙卑平凡人。 ]要知道並沒有太過竭力這一回事。
例如：你因為神而面臨危機，但你有聖靈得印證，知道怎樣去作才對。可是隨著年日過去，你卻逐漸有這樣得結論 - [看來，我不是過分自負嗎？我所作得不是太【過火】麽？ ]你那些講理智的朋友說：[別傻啦，你當時說起那個屬靈醒覺，我們就看出是一時的衝動，你受不起那種壓力的，神也不期望你這樣做。 ]你就會說：[這個，我想自己的期望也太過了。 ]聽來多謙卑，可是對神的信賴已盡失，開始信賴世界的見解。你不再仰賴神，不再抬頭注視他，這就是危機。惟有等到神突然把你停住，你才曉得自己是在倒退。所以，一發現有漏症，就該立即補救。要承認在你與神之間有了阻隔，並且要立刻去對付。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我在舉止和行為上何等緩慢地表現神仁慈的恩典！你的美譽何時才為著你的榮耀臨到我身上？
October 23, 2014
Nothing of the Old Life!
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new —2 Corinthians 5:17
Our Lord never tolerates our prejudices— He is directly opposed to them and puts them to death. We tend to think that God has some special interest in our particular prejudices, and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We even say to ourselves, “God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right.” But we must learn that God accepts nothing of the old life! Instead of being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately removing them from us. It is part of our moral education to see our prejudices put to death by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is nothing remaining of the old life. Our old gloomy outlook disappears, as does our old attitude toward things, and “all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18). How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
一點也不
"若有人在基督裡，他就是新造的人，舊事已過，都變成新的了。"林後5:17
我們的主從不看護我們的成見，他只克服它們，清理它們。我們想像神對我們的特別成見有著特別的興趣；我們很肯定神不會像對付其他人那樣對付我們。 "神一定會非常嚴厲的對付其他人，他當然知道我的成見是對的。可是我們必須認識到神不但不站在我們的成見這邊，反而有意地要將它們清掃出去。我們所受的道德教育的一部分是，讓神的旨意除去我們的成見，並看看他怎麼做。神毫不在意我們帶給他什麼。神只想要我們做一件事，就是無條件的降服。
當我們重生的時候，聖靈開始將他的新創造做在我們裡面，必有一天舊秩序所遺留的會蕩然無存，離開舊的儀式，離開舊的態度，"所有的都是屬神的。 "我們如何得到那沒有情慾，沒有自我利益，對別人的刺痛不敏感，有不輕易發怒的愛，不思想罪惡，常待人有恩慈的生命呢？唯一的辦法是不讓一點點舊生命留下來，而只單單完全的信靠神，以致我們不再想要神的祝福，只想要他自己。我們是否到達一個地步，神可以撤回他的祝福而不會影響我們對他的信靠？當一旦我們看到神在做工，我們就不會為所發生的事煩擾，因為我們正實際的信靠我們在天上的父，他是這世界無法看到的。
Our Lord never tolerates our prejudices— He is directly opposed to them and puts them to death. We tend to think that God has some special interest in our particular prejudices, and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We even say to ourselves, “God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right.” But we must learn that God accepts nothing of the old life! Instead of being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately removing them from us. It is part of our moral education to see our prejudices put to death by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is nothing remaining of the old life. Our old gloomy outlook disappears, as does our old attitude toward things, and “all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18). How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
一點也不
"若有人在基督裡，他就是新造的人，舊事已過，都變成新的了。"林後5:17
我們的主從不看護我們的成見，他只克服它們，清理它們。我們想像神對我們的特別成見有著特別的興趣；我們很肯定神不會像對付其他人那樣對付我們。 "神一定會非常嚴厲的對付其他人，他當然知道我的成見是對的。可是我們必須認識到神不但不站在我們的成見這邊，反而有意地要將它們清掃出去。我們所受的道德教育的一部分是，讓神的旨意除去我們的成見，並看看他怎麼做。神毫不在意我們帶給他什麼。神只想要我們做一件事，就是無條件的降服。
當我們重生的時候，聖靈開始將他的新創造做在我們裡面，必有一天舊秩序所遺留的會蕩然無存，離開舊的儀式，離開舊的態度，"所有的都是屬神的。 "我們如何得到那沒有情慾，沒有自我利益，對別人的刺痛不敏感，有不輕易發怒的愛，不思想罪惡，常待人有恩慈的生命呢？唯一的辦法是不讓一點點舊生命留下來，而只單單完全的信靠神，以致我們不再想要神的祝福，只想要他自己。我們是否到達一個地步，神可以撤回他的祝福而不會影響我們對他的信靠？當一旦我們看到神在做工，我們就不會為所發生的事煩擾，因為我們正實際的信靠我們在天上的父，他是這世界無法看到的。
September 12, 2014
Going Through Spiritual Confusion
Jesus answered and said, ’You do not know what you ask’ —Matthew 20:22
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
June 18, 2014
Keep Recognizing Jesus
. . . Peter . . . walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid . . . —Matthew 14:29-30
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.
不必籌算了，上路吧！
彼得就……在水面上走，要到耶穌那裡去。只因見風甚大，就害怕。 （太十四29-30）
風雖然大，浪雖然高，但彼得卻視若無睹。他並不怕波濤洶湧，因為他一心一意只知道主，而且因主在水面上走。過後，他發現到現實的環境，隨即就下沉了。何以主不使他在水底行走，像在水面上一樣呢？若不認識是主耶穌，兩者都不能行。
在某些事上，我們會毅然信靠神，稍後就姑息自己，便往下沉了。所以只要認清是主，就不必問他怎樣處理環境。現實本來就是如此，你一旦注目其上，就被它支配，看不見耶穌了。神就會責備你說：[為什麼疑惑呢？ ]不管現實環境怎樣，總要認識耶穌，保持對他完全的信賴。
神的話一發出，只要你有一刻的遲疑，就完了。切勿說：[唔，他到底有沒有說過呢？ ]這時要立即孤注一擲，把一切投在他身上。你不知道他什麼時候說話，但只要稍微認識他，就該不顧一切地投上。只有捨棄一切，你才會認出他來。只有當你不顧一切時，才更清楚認出他的聲音。
祈禱◆主啊，求你在這天，讓那使我們在你的事奉中軟弱下來的自我意識永遠消失，使我們所認知的，就只有耶穌。
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.
不必籌算了，上路吧！
彼得就……在水面上走，要到耶穌那裡去。只因見風甚大，就害怕。 （太十四29-30）
風雖然大，浪雖然高，但彼得卻視若無睹。他並不怕波濤洶湧，因為他一心一意只知道主，而且因主在水面上走。過後，他發現到現實的環境，隨即就下沉了。何以主不使他在水底行走，像在水面上一樣呢？若不認識是主耶穌，兩者都不能行。
在某些事上，我們會毅然信靠神，稍後就姑息自己，便往下沉了。所以只要認清是主，就不必問他怎樣處理環境。現實本來就是如此，你一旦注目其上，就被它支配，看不見耶穌了。神就會責備你說：[為什麼疑惑呢？ ]不管現實環境怎樣，總要認識耶穌，保持對他完全的信賴。
神的話一發出，只要你有一刻的遲疑，就完了。切勿說：[唔，他到底有沒有說過呢？ ]這時要立即孤注一擲，把一切投在他身上。你不知道他什麼時候說話，但只要稍微認識他，就該不顧一切地投上。只有捨棄一切，你才會認出他來。只有當你不顧一切時，才更清楚認出他的聲音。
祈禱◆主啊，求你在這天，讓那使我們在你的事奉中軟弱下來的自我意識永遠消失，使我們所認知的，就只有耶穌。
April 13, 2014
What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming
Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
March 28, 2014
Isn’t There Some Misunderstanding?
'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to Him, '. . . are You going there again?' —John 11:7-8
Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.
Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5).
豈無誤解？
我們再往猶太去吧。門徒說……你還往那裡去麼？ （約十一7-8）
我可能不明白主耶穌的話，但若如此說他的話有錯，就很危險了。若以為順服神的一句話，會羞辱耶穌，這是絕對錯誤的想法，唯一羞辱主的是不順服他。我用自己的觀點來維護他的榮耀，代替了聽從他明確的命令，必然是錯的；即使動機的確是想避免叫主受辱。從神來的意思，可從那安靜而持續的感動認出來。但當我要反复思考，權衡得失時，隨之而來時疑慮爭辯，我就是把不屬於神的東西帶了進來。於是便知道，這意思是不對的。我們多半忠於自己對耶穌的概念，甚少忠於他自己。（試問我們中間有多少人是忠於他的？）忠於耶穌就是聽命開步，不憑眼見（太十四29），忠於我自己對耶穌的概念，就是在理智上鋪了路。信心不是理智的了悟，信心是在未見之先，立志委身於他。
你是否反復自辯，要靠耶穌走信心之路呢？還是你自己應付？用歡喜快樂的心，無所顧忌地順服他吧。當他這樣對你說，而你卻心裡反复思量，這是因為你對他的榮譽有所顧慮，而其實你所認為的榮譽，並非主的榮譽。你到底是忠於耶穌？還是忠於你對神的概念？你是忠於他所說的話？還是拿那不出於他的觀點來折衷妥協？ [他告訴你們什麼，你們就作什麼。]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要靠近你。當你進入我的生命，我何需顫抖？
Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.
Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5).
豈無誤解？
我們再往猶太去吧。門徒說……你還往那裡去麼？ （約十一7-8）
我可能不明白主耶穌的話，但若如此說他的話有錯，就很危險了。若以為順服神的一句話，會羞辱耶穌，這是絕對錯誤的想法，唯一羞辱主的是不順服他。我用自己的觀點來維護他的榮耀，代替了聽從他明確的命令，必然是錯的；即使動機的確是想避免叫主受辱。從神來的意思，可從那安靜而持續的感動認出來。但當我要反复思考，權衡得失時，隨之而來時疑慮爭辯，我就是把不屬於神的東西帶了進來。於是便知道，這意思是不對的。我們多半忠於自己對耶穌的概念，甚少忠於他自己。（試問我們中間有多少人是忠於他的？）忠於耶穌就是聽命開步，不憑眼見（太十四29），忠於我自己對耶穌的概念，就是在理智上鋪了路。信心不是理智的了悟，信心是在未見之先，立志委身於他。
你是否反復自辯，要靠耶穌走信心之路呢？還是你自己應付？用歡喜快樂的心，無所顧忌地順服他吧。當他這樣對你說，而你卻心裡反复思量，這是因為你對他的榮譽有所顧慮，而其實你所認為的榮譽，並非主的榮譽。你到底是忠於耶穌？還是忠於你對神的概念？你是忠於他所說的話？還是拿那不出於他的觀點來折衷妥協？ [他告訴你們什麼，你們就作什麼。]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要靠近你。當你進入我的生命，我何需顫抖？
February 26, 2014
Our Misgivings About Jesus
The woman said to Him, ’Sir, You have nothing to draw [water] with, and the well is deep’ —John 4:11
Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.
My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”
對耶穌的低估
先生沒有打水的器具。 （約四11）
[神所說的一切奇妙我很欽仰，但他休想我能在生活裡真正行出來！ ]論到主耶穌本身的美德，往往叫我們有一種敬虔的優越感。 [你的理想甚高，令我們心悅誠服，但一涉及實際事物，就行不通了。 ]我們各人對耶穌或多或少總有這樣的想法。當我們向人講說與神立約，人家會好奇地問：[你的錢從哪裡來？你怎麼應付生活？ ]因而使我們對耶穌發生質疑。有時這種疑慮會發自我們本身，對主說這件事他也許難以應付。 [說信靠主是不錯的，但人總要生活的啊，耶穌連打水的器具也沒有，他怎樣供應我們？ ]你要留心裡面那敬虔的虛偽說：[我不怪主耶穌，只怪自己。 ]人從來不會怪責自己；我們無能為力的地方，自己知得很清楚，但不滿意主得卻很多。對他能做而我們所不能的，我們會覺得有損自尊。
當我省察自己，才發現神對任何事物都能應付自如，這樣，不滿就油然而生，因為我的自卑感在作祟。若真的是這樣，要來到神面前承認：[主，我對你有誤會，我未能放下自己，去信任你的智慧；我沒有離開自我的悟性，去相信你的全能。]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我懷著何等的釋然投向你。我對你的需要真是數之不盡，而在那奇異的釋放和喜樂中，我發現我所需要的，就只有你。
Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.
My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”
對耶穌的低估
先生沒有打水的器具。 （約四11）
[神所說的一切奇妙我很欽仰，但他休想我能在生活裡真正行出來！ ]論到主耶穌本身的美德，往往叫我們有一種敬虔的優越感。 [你的理想甚高，令我們心悅誠服，但一涉及實際事物，就行不通了。 ]我們各人對耶穌或多或少總有這樣的想法。當我們向人講說與神立約，人家會好奇地問：[你的錢從哪裡來？你怎麼應付生活？ ]因而使我們對耶穌發生質疑。有時這種疑慮會發自我們本身，對主說這件事他也許難以應付。 [說信靠主是不錯的，但人總要生活的啊，耶穌連打水的器具也沒有，他怎樣供應我們？ ]你要留心裡面那敬虔的虛偽說：[我不怪主耶穌，只怪自己。 ]人從來不會怪責自己；我們無能為力的地方，自己知得很清楚，但不滿意主得卻很多。對他能做而我們所不能的，我們會覺得有損自尊。
當我省察自己，才發現神對任何事物都能應付自如，這樣，不滿就油然而生，因為我的自卑感在作祟。若真的是這樣，要來到神面前承認：[主，我對你有誤會，我未能放下自己，去信任你的智慧；我沒有離開自我的悟性，去相信你的全能。]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我懷著何等的釋然投向你。我對你的需要真是數之不盡，而在那奇異的釋放和喜樂中，我發現我所需要的，就只有你。
January 27, 2014
Look Again and Think
Do not worry about your life... — Matthew 6:25
A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.
“I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . .” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing-our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
再三思量
不要為生命憂慮。
今世的憂慮、 錢財的迷惑，及其他的私慾一點進入我們心中，就會把神所賜予的生命窒息，這是必須再三告誡的。屬世的東西勢如潮湧，連連進擊，使我們無法擺脫。若不從衣食而來，就會從金錢或貧乏而來；不從朋友而來，就從孤獨無友而來；甚至又會從困境而來。這些東西不住地、逐步地蠶食我們屬靈的生命，除非我們讓聖靈來抵抗，否則這些東西將如洪水氾濫，淹沒我們。
[不要為生命憂慮。 ]主說：[只要關心一件事便夠了，那就是你與我的關係。 ]我們會理性地大聲疾呼，說：[真是無稽，我不能不為生計打算，打算吃什麼喝什麼阿!]耶穌卻說不可。不要以為說這話的主，根本不明白我們的境況。其實耶穌基督知道得比我們更清楚。他說，我們不應該把這些事當作生活中唯一需要關注的事。什麼時候屬世的事務與主相爭，就要把你和神的關係擺在前頭。
[一天的難處一天當就夠了。 ]今日有多少難處在向你威嚇？有什麼頑童小鬼在窺探說：[看你下個月怎辦？暑假又如何？ ]耶穌說：[應當一無掛慮。 ]請你再三思想，慎加明辨！把你的心思放在天父的[何況你們]這一句話上吧。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，使我離開那些關乎感官和時間的事情，引導我進入與大君王同在之境地。保守我的心思意念全屬於你。
A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.
“I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . .” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing-our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
再三思量
不要為生命憂慮。
今世的憂慮、 錢財的迷惑，及其他的私慾一點進入我們心中，就會把神所賜予的生命窒息，這是必須再三告誡的。屬世的東西勢如潮湧，連連進擊，使我們無法擺脫。若不從衣食而來，就會從金錢或貧乏而來；不從朋友而來，就從孤獨無友而來；甚至又會從困境而來。這些東西不住地、逐步地蠶食我們屬靈的生命，除非我們讓聖靈來抵抗，否則這些東西將如洪水氾濫，淹沒我們。
[不要為生命憂慮。 ]主說：[只要關心一件事便夠了，那就是你與我的關係。 ]我們會理性地大聲疾呼，說：[真是無稽，我不能不為生計打算，打算吃什麼喝什麼阿!]耶穌卻說不可。不要以為說這話的主，根本不明白我們的境況。其實耶穌基督知道得比我們更清楚。他說，我們不應該把這些事當作生活中唯一需要關注的事。什麼時候屬世的事務與主相爭，就要把你和神的關係擺在前頭。
[一天的難處一天當就夠了。 ]今日有多少難處在向你威嚇？有什麼頑童小鬼在窺探說：[看你下個月怎辦？暑假又如何？ ]耶穌說：[應當一無掛慮。 ]請你再三思想，慎加明辨！把你的心思放在天父的[何況你們]這一句話上吧。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，使我離開那些關乎感官和時間的事情，引導我進入與大君王同在之境地。保守我的心思意念全屬於你。
December 31, 2013
Yesterday
You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard —Isaiah 52:12
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
昨日
以色列的神必作你們的後裔。 （賽五十二12）
脫離昨天的保證。 [神需要用過去的事。 ]
年終的時候，我們會期待地指望神帶領將來，但回想過去，也會帶來焦慮。今天對神恩典的享受，很容易受過去的罪與錯失影響。可是神是管理昨天的神，他容許過去的回憶存留，為的是將來的屬靈培育。神有時用過去提醒我們，免得我們停在現今膚淺的滿足裡。
明天的保證。 [因為耶和華必在你們前頭行。 ]
這是滿有恩典的啟示，神在我們失敗的地方守衛，留意不讓我們重蹈覆轍。若他不作後盾，我們勢必再犯。神的手伸到昨天去，為我們的良心清除存貨。
今天的保證。 [你們出來必不至急忙。 ]
在進入新一年之際，讓我們不要急躁鹵莽、興奮忘舊，也不要輕率衝動，只要從忍耐中得力，知道以色列的神必在前頭行。昨天無可挽回，錯過的機會永難再得，但神可以把這摧毀性得焦慮，變成建設性得心思，作將來之用。讓過去睡吧，但要睡在主耶穌的懷裡。
把一去不復返的過去放在他手中，然後與他一同踏進必要來到的將來。
祈禱◆主耶穌啊，[父一切的豐盛，都在你裡面居住]；[萬物都交在你的手裡]；[天上地下所有的權柄都賜給你了]－－噢，我天上的父神，願你按照你在基督耶穌榮耀裡的豐盛，滿足我一切的需要。
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
昨日
以色列的神必作你們的後裔。 （賽五十二12）
脫離昨天的保證。 [神需要用過去的事。 ]
年終的時候，我們會期待地指望神帶領將來，但回想過去，也會帶來焦慮。今天對神恩典的享受，很容易受過去的罪與錯失影響。可是神是管理昨天的神，他容許過去的回憶存留，為的是將來的屬靈培育。神有時用過去提醒我們，免得我們停在現今膚淺的滿足裡。
明天的保證。 [因為耶和華必在你們前頭行。 ]
這是滿有恩典的啟示，神在我們失敗的地方守衛，留意不讓我們重蹈覆轍。若他不作後盾，我們勢必再犯。神的手伸到昨天去，為我們的良心清除存貨。
今天的保證。 [你們出來必不至急忙。 ]
在進入新一年之際，讓我們不要急躁鹵莽、興奮忘舊，也不要輕率衝動，只要從忍耐中得力，知道以色列的神必在前頭行。昨天無可挽回，錯過的機會永難再得，但神可以把這摧毀性得焦慮，變成建設性得心思，作將來之用。讓過去睡吧，但要睡在主耶穌的懷裡。
把一去不復返的過去放在他手中，然後與他一同踏進必要來到的將來。
祈禱◆主耶穌啊，[父一切的豐盛，都在你裡面居住]；[萬物都交在你的手裡]；[天上地下所有的權柄都賜給你了]－－噢，我天上的父神，願你按照你在基督耶穌榮耀裡的豐盛，滿足我一切的需要。
November 24, 2013
Direction of Focus
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters . . . , so our eyes look to the Lord our God . . . —Psalm 123:2
This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.
仰望的方向
看哪，僕人的眼睛怎樣望主人的手……我們的眼睛也照樣望耶和華我們的神……（詩一二三2）
這節經文是對神完全信賴的描寫。僕人的眼如何注視主人，我們的眼也同樣仰望神，以致對他的容貌認識日增（賽五十三1）。我們一不仰望神，就產生屬靈的漏症。這漏症不是由於外在的煩惱，而是在於我們有這樣的幻想：[我想自己伸展得太用力了，用腳尖站立，努力像神，而不作一個謙卑平凡人。 ]要知道並沒有太過竭力這一回事。
例如：你因為神而面臨危機，但你有聖靈得印證，知道怎樣去作才對。可是隨著年日過去，你卻逐漸有這樣得結論 - [看來，我不是過分自負嗎？我所作得不是太【過火】麽？ ]你那些講理智的朋友說：[別傻啦，你當時說起那個屬靈醒覺，我們就看出是一時的衝動，你受不起那種壓力的，神也不期望你這樣做。 ]你就會說：[這個，我想自己的期望也太過了。 ]聽來多謙卑，可是對神的信賴已盡失，開始信賴世界的見解。你不再仰賴神，不再抬頭注視他，這就是危機。惟有等到神突然把你停住，你才曉得自己是在倒退。所以，一發現有漏症，就該立即補救。要承認在你與神之間有了阻隔，並且要立刻去對付。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我在舉止和行為上何等緩慢地表現神仁慈的恩典！你的美譽何時才為著你的榮耀臨到我身上？
This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.
仰望的方向
看哪，僕人的眼睛怎樣望主人的手……我們的眼睛也照樣望耶和華我們的神……（詩一二三2）
這節經文是對神完全信賴的描寫。僕人的眼如何注視主人，我們的眼也同樣仰望神，以致對他的容貌認識日增（賽五十三1）。我們一不仰望神，就產生屬靈的漏症。這漏症不是由於外在的煩惱，而是在於我們有這樣的幻想：[我想自己伸展得太用力了，用腳尖站立，努力像神，而不作一個謙卑平凡人。 ]要知道並沒有太過竭力這一回事。
例如：你因為神而面臨危機，但你有聖靈得印證，知道怎樣去作才對。可是隨著年日過去，你卻逐漸有這樣得結論 - [看來，我不是過分自負嗎？我所作得不是太【過火】麽？ ]你那些講理智的朋友說：[別傻啦，你當時說起那個屬靈醒覺，我們就看出是一時的衝動，你受不起那種壓力的，神也不期望你這樣做。 ]你就會說：[這個，我想自己的期望也太過了。 ]聽來多謙卑，可是對神的信賴已盡失，開始信賴世界的見解。你不再仰賴神，不再抬頭注視他，這就是危機。惟有等到神突然把你停住，你才曉得自己是在倒退。所以，一發現有漏症，就該立即補救。要承認在你與神之間有了阻隔，並且要立刻去對付。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我在舉止和行為上何等緩慢地表現神仁慈的恩典！你的美譽何時才為著你的榮耀臨到我身上？
October 23, 2013
Nothing of the Old Life!
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new —2 Corinthians 5:17
Our Lord never tolerates our prejudices— He is directly opposed to them and puts them to death. We tend to think that God has some special interest in our particular prejudices, and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We even say to ourselves, “God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right.” But we must learn that God accepts nothing of the old life! Instead of being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately removing them from us. It is part of our moral education to see our prejudices put to death by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is nothing remaining of the old life. Our old gloomy outlook disappears, as does our old attitude toward things, and “all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18). How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
一點也不
"若有人在基督裡，他就是新造的人，舊事已過，都變成新的了。"林後5:17
我們的主從不看護我們的成見，他只克服它們，清理它們。我們想像神對我們的特別成見有著特別的興趣；我們很肯定神不會像對付其他人那樣對付我們。 "神一定會非常嚴厲的對付其他人，他當然知道我的成見是對的。可是我們必須認識到神不但不站在我們的成見這邊，反而有意地要將它們清掃出去。我們所受的道德教育的一部分是，讓神的旨意除去我們的成見，並看看他怎麼做。神毫不在意我們帶給他什麼。神只想要我們做一件事，就是無條件的降服。
當我們重生的時候，聖靈開始將他的新創造做在我們裡面，必有一天舊秩序所遺留的會蕩然無存，離開舊的儀式，離開舊的態度，"所有的都是屬神的。 "我們如何得到那沒有情慾，沒有自我利益，對別人的刺痛不敏感，有不輕易發怒的愛，不思想罪惡，常待人有恩慈的生命呢？唯一的辦法是不讓一點點舊生命留下來，而只單單完全的信靠神，以致我們不再想要神的祝福，只想要他自己。我們是否到達一個地步，神可以撤回他的祝福而不會影響我們對他的信靠？當一旦我們看到神在做工，我們就不會為所發生的事煩擾，因為我們正實際的信靠我們在天上的父，他是這世界無法看到的。
Our Lord never tolerates our prejudices— He is directly opposed to them and puts them to death. We tend to think that God has some special interest in our particular prejudices, and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We even say to ourselves, “God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right.” But we must learn that God accepts nothing of the old life! Instead of being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately removing them from us. It is part of our moral education to see our prejudices put to death by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is nothing remaining of the old life. Our old gloomy outlook disappears, as does our old attitude toward things, and “all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18). How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
一點也不
"若有人在基督裡，他就是新造的人，舊事已過，都變成新的了。"林後5:17
我們的主從不看護我們的成見，他只克服它們，清理它們。我們想像神對我們的特別成見有著特別的興趣；我們很肯定神不會像對付其他人那樣對付我們。 "神一定會非常嚴厲的對付其他人，他當然知道我的成見是對的。可是我們必須認識到神不但不站在我們的成見這邊，反而有意地要將它們清掃出去。我們所受的道德教育的一部分是，讓神的旨意除去我們的成見，並看看他怎麼做。神毫不在意我們帶給他什麼。神只想要我們做一件事，就是無條件的降服。
當我們重生的時候，聖靈開始將他的新創造做在我們裡面，必有一天舊秩序所遺留的會蕩然無存，離開舊的儀式，離開舊的態度，"所有的都是屬神的。 "我們如何得到那沒有情慾，沒有自我利益，對別人的刺痛不敏感，有不輕易發怒的愛，不思想罪惡，常待人有恩慈的生命呢？唯一的辦法是不讓一點點舊生命留下來，而只單單完全的信靠神，以致我們不再想要神的祝福，只想要他自己。我們是否到達一個地步，神可以撤回他的祝福而不會影響我們對他的信靠？當一旦我們看到神在做工，我們就不會為所發生的事煩擾，因為我們正實際的信靠我們在天上的父，他是這世界無法看到的。
September 12, 2013
Going Through Spiritual Confusion
Jesus answered and said, ’You do not know what you ask’ —Matthew 20:22
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
June 18, 2013
Keep Recognizing Jesus
. . . Peter . . . walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid . . . —Matthew 14:29-30
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.
不必籌算了，上路吧！
彼得就……在水面上走，要到耶穌那裡去。只因見風甚大，就害怕。 （太十四29-30）
風雖然大，浪雖然高，但彼得卻視若無睹。他並不怕波濤洶湧，因為他一心一意只知道主，而且因主在水面上走。過後，他發現到現實的環境，隨即就下沉了。何以主不使他在水底行走，像在水面上一樣呢？若不認識是主耶穌，兩者都不能行。
在某些事上，我們會毅然信靠神，稍後就姑息自己，便往下沉了。所以只要認清是主，就不必問他怎樣處理環境。現實本來就是如此，你一旦注目其上，就被它支配，看不見耶穌了。神就會責備你說：[為什麼疑惑呢？ ]不管現實環境怎樣，總要認識耶穌，保持對他完全的信賴。
神的話一發出，只要你有一刻的遲疑，就完了。切勿說：[唔，他到底有沒有說過呢？ ]這時要立即孤注一擲，把一切投在他身上。你不知道他什麼時候說話，但只要稍微認識他，就該不顧一切地投上。只有捨棄一切，你才會認出他來。只有當你不顧一切時，才更清楚認出他的聲音。
祈禱◆主啊，求你在這天，讓那使我們在你的事奉中軟弱下來的自我意識永遠消失，使我們所認知的，就只有耶穌。
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.
不必籌算了，上路吧！
彼得就……在水面上走，要到耶穌那裡去。只因見風甚大，就害怕。 （太十四29-30）
風雖然大，浪雖然高，但彼得卻視若無睹。他並不怕波濤洶湧，因為他一心一意只知道主，而且因主在水面上走。過後，他發現到現實的環境，隨即就下沉了。何以主不使他在水底行走，像在水面上一樣呢？若不認識是主耶穌，兩者都不能行。
在某些事上，我們會毅然信靠神，稍後就姑息自己，便往下沉了。所以只要認清是主，就不必問他怎樣處理環境。現實本來就是如此，你一旦注目其上，就被它支配，看不見耶穌了。神就會責備你說：[為什麼疑惑呢？ ]不管現實環境怎樣，總要認識耶穌，保持對他完全的信賴。
神的話一發出，只要你有一刻的遲疑，就完了。切勿說：[唔，他到底有沒有說過呢？ ]這時要立即孤注一擲，把一切投在他身上。你不知道他什麼時候說話，但只要稍微認識他，就該不顧一切地投上。只有捨棄一切，你才會認出他來。只有當你不顧一切時，才更清楚認出他的聲音。
祈禱◆主啊，求你在這天，讓那使我們在你的事奉中軟弱下來的自我意識永遠消失，使我們所認知的，就只有耶穌。
April 13, 2013
What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming
Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
March 28, 2013
Isn’t There Some Misunderstanding?
'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to Him, '. . . are You going there again?' —John 11:7-8
Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.
Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5).
豈無誤解？
我們再往猶太去吧。門徒說……你還往那裡去麼？ （約十一7-8）
我可能不明白主耶穌的話，但若如此說他的話有錯，就很危險了。若以為順服神的一句話，會羞辱耶穌，這是絕對錯誤的想法，唯一羞辱主的是不順服他。我用自己的觀點來維護他的榮耀，代替了聽從他明確的命令，必然是錯的；即使動機的確是想避免叫主受辱。從神來的意思，可從那安靜而持續的感動認出來。但當我要反复思考，權衡得失時，隨之而來時疑慮爭辯，我就是把不屬於神的東西帶了進來。於是便知道，這意思是不對的。我們多半忠於自己對耶穌的概念，甚少忠於他自己。 （試問我們中間有多少人是忠於他的？）忠於耶穌就是聽命開步，不憑眼見（太十四29），忠於我自己對耶穌的概念，就是在理智上鋪了路。信心不是理智的了悟，信心是在未見之先，立志委身於他。
你是否反復自辯，要靠耶穌走信心之路呢？還是你自己應付？用歡喜快樂的心，無所顧忌地順服他吧。當他這樣對你說，而你卻心裡反复思量，這是因為你對他的榮譽有所顧慮，而其實你所認為的榮譽，並非主的榮譽。你到底是忠於耶穌？還是忠於你對神的概念？你是忠於他所說的話？還是拿那不出於他的觀點來折衷妥協？ [他告訴你們什麼，你們就作什麼。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要靠近你。當你進入我的生命，我何需顫抖？
Just because I don’t understand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead.
Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what doesn’t. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5).
豈無誤解？
我們再往猶太去吧。門徒說……你還往那裡去麼？ （約十一7-8）
我可能不明白主耶穌的話，但若如此說他的話有錯，就很危險了。若以為順服神的一句話，會羞辱耶穌，這是絕對錯誤的想法，唯一羞辱主的是不順服他。我用自己的觀點來維護他的榮耀，代替了聽從他明確的命令，必然是錯的；即使動機的確是想避免叫主受辱。從神來的意思，可從那安靜而持續的感動認出來。但當我要反复思考，權衡得失時，隨之而來時疑慮爭辯，我就是把不屬於神的東西帶了進來。於是便知道，這意思是不對的。我們多半忠於自己對耶穌的概念，甚少忠於他自己。 （試問我們中間有多少人是忠於他的？）忠於耶穌就是聽命開步，不憑眼見（太十四29），忠於我自己對耶穌的概念，就是在理智上鋪了路。信心不是理智的了悟，信心是在未見之先，立志委身於他。
你是否反復自辯，要靠耶穌走信心之路呢？還是你自己應付？用歡喜快樂的心，無所顧忌地順服他吧。當他這樣對你說，而你卻心裡反复思量，這是因為你對他的榮譽有所顧慮，而其實你所認為的榮譽，並非主的榮譽。你到底是忠於耶穌？還是忠於你對神的概念？你是忠於他所說的話？還是拿那不出於他的觀點來折衷妥協？ [他告訴你們什麼，你們就作什麼。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要靠近你。當你進入我的生命，我何需顫抖？
February 26, 2013
Our Misgivings About Jesus
The woman said to Him, ’Sir, You have nothing to draw [water] with, and the well is deep’ —John 4:11
Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.
My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”
對耶穌的低估
先生沒有打水的器具。 （約四11）
[神所說的一切奇妙我很欽仰，但他休想我能在生活裡真正行出來！ ]論到主耶穌本身的美德，往往叫我們有一種敬虔的優越感。 [你的理想甚高，令我們心悅誠服，但一涉及實際事物，就行不通了。 ]我們各人對耶穌或多或少總有這樣的想法。當我們向人講說與神立約，人家會好奇地問：[你的錢從哪裡來？你怎麼應付生活？ ]因而使我們對耶穌發生質疑。有時這種疑慮會發自我們本身，對主說這件事他也許難以應付。 [說信靠主是不錯的，但人總要生活的啊，耶穌連打水的器具也沒有，他怎樣供應我們？ ]你要留心裡面那敬虔的虛偽說：[我不怪主耶穌，只怪自己。 ]人從來不會怪責自己；我們無能為力的地方，自己知得很清楚，但不滿意主得卻很多。對他能做而我們所不能的，我們會覺得有損自尊。
當我省察自己，才發現神對任何事物都能應付自如，這樣，不滿就油然而生，因為我的自卑感在作祟。若真的是這樣，要來到神面前承認：[主，我對你有誤會，我未能放下自己，去信任你的智慧；我沒有離開自我的悟性，去相信你的全能。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我懷著何等的釋然投向你。我對你的需要真是數之不盡，而在那奇異的釋放和喜樂中，我發現我所需要的，就只有你。
Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.
My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”
對耶穌的低估
先生沒有打水的器具。 （約四11）
[神所說的一切奇妙我很欽仰，但他休想我能在生活裡真正行出來！ ]論到主耶穌本身的美德，往往叫我們有一種敬虔的優越感。 [你的理想甚高，令我們心悅誠服，但一涉及實際事物，就行不通了。 ]我們各人對耶穌或多或少總有這樣的想法。當我們向人講說與神立約，人家會好奇地問：[你的錢從哪裡來？你怎麼應付生活？ ]因而使我們對耶穌發生質疑。有時這種疑慮會發自我們本身，對主說這件事他也許難以應付。 [說信靠主是不錯的，但人總要生活的啊，耶穌連打水的器具也沒有，他怎樣供應我們？ ]你要留心裡面那敬虔的虛偽說：[我不怪主耶穌，只怪自己。 ]人從來不會怪責自己；我們無能為力的地方，自己知得很清楚，但不滿意主得卻很多。對他能做而我們所不能的，我們會覺得有損自尊。
當我省察自己，才發現神對任何事物都能應付自如，這樣，不滿就油然而生，因為我的自卑感在作祟。若真的是這樣，要來到神面前承認：[主，我對你有誤會，我未能放下自己，去信任你的智慧；我沒有離開自我的悟性，去相信你的全能。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我懷著何等的釋然投向你。我對你的需要真是數之不盡，而在那奇異的釋放和喜樂中，我發現我所需要的，就只有你。
January 27, 2013
Look Again and Think
Do not worry about your life... — Matthew 6:25
A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.
“I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . .” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing-our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
再三思量
不要為生命憂慮。
今世的憂慮、錢財的迷惑，及其他的私慾一點進入我們心中，就會把神所賜予的生命窒息，這是必須再三告誡的。屬世的東西勢如潮湧，連連進擊，使我們無法擺脫。若不從衣食而來，就會從金錢或貧乏而來；不從朋友而來，就從孤獨無友而來；甚至又會從困境而來。這些東西不住地、逐步地蠶食我們屬靈的生命，除非我們讓聖靈來抵抗，否則這些東西將如洪水氾濫，淹沒我們。
[不要為生命憂慮。 ]主說：[只要關心一件事便夠了，那就是你與我的關係。 ]我們會理性地大聲疾呼，說：[真是無稽，我不能不為生計打算，打算吃什麼喝什麼阿!]耶穌卻說不可。不要以為說這話的主，根本不明白我們的境況。其實耶穌基督知道得比我們更清楚。他說，我們不應該把這些事當作生活中唯一需要關注的事。什麼時候屬世的事務與主相爭，就要把你和神的關係擺在前頭。
[一天的難處一天當就夠了。 ]今日有多少難處在向你威嚇？有什麼頑童小鬼在窺探說：[看你下個月怎辦？暑假又如何？ ]耶穌說：[應當一無掛慮。 ]請你再三思想，慎加明辨！把你的心思放在天父的[何況你們]這一句話上吧。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，使我離開那些關乎感官和時間的事情，引導我進入與大君王同在之境地。保守我的心思意念全屬於你。
A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.
“I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . .” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing-our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
再三思量
不要為生命憂慮。
今世的憂慮、錢財的迷惑，及其他的私慾一點進入我們心中，就會把神所賜予的生命窒息，這是必須再三告誡的。屬世的東西勢如潮湧，連連進擊，使我們無法擺脫。若不從衣食而來，就會從金錢或貧乏而來；不從朋友而來，就從孤獨無友而來；甚至又會從困境而來。這些東西不住地、逐步地蠶食我們屬靈的生命，除非我們讓聖靈來抵抗，否則這些東西將如洪水氾濫，淹沒我們。
[不要為生命憂慮。 ]主說：[只要關心一件事便夠了，那就是你與我的關係。 ]我們會理性地大聲疾呼，說：[真是無稽，我不能不為生計打算，打算吃什麼喝什麼阿!]耶穌卻說不可。不要以為說這話的主，根本不明白我們的境況。其實耶穌基督知道得比我們更清楚。他說，我們不應該把這些事當作生活中唯一需要關注的事。什麼時候屬世的事務與主相爭，就要把你和神的關係擺在前頭。
[一天的難處一天當就夠了。 ]今日有多少難處在向你威嚇？有什麼頑童小鬼在窺探說：[看你下個月怎辦？暑假又如何？ ]耶穌說：[應當一無掛慮。 ]請你再三思想，慎加明辨！把你的心思放在天父的[何況你們]這一句話上吧。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，使我離開那些關乎感官和時間的事情，引導我進入與大君王同在之境地。保守我的心思意念全屬於你。
December 31, 2012
Yesterday
You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard —Isaiah 52:12
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
昨日
以色列的神必作你們的後裔。 （賽五十二12）
脫離昨天的保證。 [神需要用過去的事。 ]年終的時候，我們會期待地指望神帶領將來，但回想歸去，也會帶來焦慮。今天對神恩典的享受，很容易受過去的罪與錯失影響。可是神是管理昨天的神，他容許過去的回憶存留，為的是將來的屬靈培育。神有時用過去提醒我們，免得我們停在現今膚淺的滿足裡。
昨天的保證。 [因為耶和華必在你們前頭行。 ]這是滿有恩典的啟示，神在我們失敗的地方守衛，留意不讓我們重蹈覆轍。若他不作後盾，我們勢必再犯。神的手伸到昨天去，為我們的良心清除存貨。
今天的保證。 [你們出來必不至急忙。 ]在進入新一年之際，讓我們不要急躁鹵莽、興奮忘舊，也不要輕率衝動，只要從忍耐中得力，知道以色列的神必在前頭行。昨天無可挽回，錯過的機會永難再得，但神可以把這摧毀性得焦慮，變成建設性得心思，作將來之用。讓過去睡吧，但要睡在主耶穌的懷裡。
把一去不復返的過去放在他手中，然後與他一同踏進必要來到的將來。
祈禱◆主耶穌啊，[父一切的豐盛，都在你裡面居住]；[萬物都交在你的手裡]；[天上地下所有的權柄都賜給你了]－－噢，我天上的父神，願你按照你在基督耶穌榮耀裡的豐盛，滿足我一切的需要。
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
昨日
以色列的神必作你們的後裔。 （賽五十二12）
脫離昨天的保證。 [神需要用過去的事。 ]年終的時候，我們會期待地指望神帶領將來，但回想歸去，也會帶來焦慮。今天對神恩典的享受，很容易受過去的罪與錯失影響。可是神是管理昨天的神，他容許過去的回憶存留，為的是將來的屬靈培育。神有時用過去提醒我們，免得我們停在現今膚淺的滿足裡。
昨天的保證。 [因為耶和華必在你們前頭行。 ]這是滿有恩典的啟示，神在我們失敗的地方守衛，留意不讓我們重蹈覆轍。若他不作後盾，我們勢必再犯。神的手伸到昨天去，為我們的良心清除存貨。
今天的保證。 [你們出來必不至急忙。 ]在進入新一年之際，讓我們不要急躁鹵莽、興奮忘舊，也不要輕率衝動，只要從忍耐中得力，知道以色列的神必在前頭行。昨天無可挽回，錯過的機會永難再得，但神可以把這摧毀性得焦慮，變成建設性得心思，作將來之用。讓過去睡吧，但要睡在主耶穌的懷裡。
把一去不復返的過去放在他手中，然後與他一同踏進必要來到的將來。
祈禱◆主耶穌啊，[父一切的豐盛，都在你裡面居住]；[萬物都交在你的手裡]；[天上地下所有的權柄都賜給你了]－－噢，我天上的父神，願你按照你在基督耶穌榮耀裡的豐盛，滿足我一切的需要。
November 24, 2012
Direction of Focus
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters . . . , so our eyes look to the Lord our God . . . —Psalm 123:2
This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.
This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.
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