|
經文：「我要量著在我面前群畜和孩子的力量慢慢的前行。」（創33:14） 這眞是一幅惟妙惟肖的圖畫，描寫雅各對群畜和孩子的慈心！他不願意他們趕著行走一天的路程。他不願意照粗人以掃的心意去催促他們，乃是按著他們的體力，慢慢地領他們前行。 他知道他的兒女們年幼嬌嫩，牛羊正在乳養的時候。他知道他們一天能行多少路；考慮了然後才安排他們的行程。而且他以前也曾走過這條曠野路程；何處崎嶇、何處凶險、何處炎熱、何處寒冷，他都經歷過。所以他說：「我要慢慢地領你們前行。」「因這條路你們向來沒有走過。」（書3:4） 前面的路程，我們也向來沒有走過，可是主耶穌曾走過。我們對於前途眞是茫然無所知，可是主都曾經過。這一程使我們心慌意亂，那一程使我們筋疲力盡，另一程使我們乾渴得舌貼牙床，又一程使我們喘不過氣來--其實以前主都嚐過、走過。 經上說：「耶穌因走路困乏。」（約4:6）眾水沖淹祂，卻不能息滅祂的愛情。祂所經歷的苦難，使祂成為最好的牧者。「祂知道我們的本體，思念我們不過是塵土。」（詩103:14）祂每時每刻體恤我們；不讓我們走一步超過我們能力的路。 前面的路程雖然有些難行，但是儘可放心！因為祂若不是加力量使我們安然走過，也必是吩咐我們立定止步。--海弗格爾 Frances Ridley Havergal 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
|
◇◇◇
Scripture: "I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure" (Gen. 33:14). What a beautiful picture of Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and the children! He would not allow them to be overdriven even for one day. He would not lead on according to what a strong man like Esau could do and expected them to do, but only according to what they were able to endure. He knew exactly how far they could go in a day; and he made that his only consideration in arranging the marches. He had gone the same wilderness journey years before, and knew all about its roughness and heat and length, by personal experience. And so he said, "I will lead on softly." "For ye have not passed this way heretofore" (Josh.3:4.). We have not passed this way heretofore, but the Lord Jesus has. It is all untrodden and unknown ground to us, but He knows it all by personal experience. The steep bits that take away our breath, the stony bits that make our feet ache so, the hot shadeless stretches that make us feel so exhausted, the rushing rivers that we have to pass through--Jesus has gone through it all before us. "He was wearied with his journey." Not some, but all the many waters went over Him, and yet did not quench His love. He was made a perfect Leader by the things which He suffered. "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He is remembering all the time; and not one step will He make you take beyond what your foot is able to endure. Never mind if you think it will not be able for the step that seems to come next; either He will so strengthen it that it shall be able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you shall not have to take it at all. --Frances Ridley Havergal ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman |