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經文：「有捆鎖與患難等待我，我卻不以...為念。」（徒20:23-24） 我們在撒母耳記中看見：當大衛在希伯崙受膏作王的時候，「非利士眾人就上來尋索大衛」（撒下5:17）。照樣我們在神念前受寵蒙愛的時候，仇敵撒但絕對不甘心，就會上來尋索阻攔和搗亂我們。 仇敵的攻擊和破壞和攔阻，我們應看為神施行拯救的記號；這就是我們向祂支取加倍的祝福、勝利、能力的機會。能力常常是從攔阻中發出的，就如電力是由發電機的機輪互相磨阻而產生。將來總有一天，我們會明白撒但也是被神所利用的。--譯自地上的屬天生活 Days of Heaven upon Earth 患難是勝利的捷徑；因為，山路之後，就是大道。一切偉大的事業中，都有患難的印跡。有如發光的金鍊，必須經過爐火的燒錘。沒有一個人配為得勝者，除非他歷盡苦楚。額上有刺痕的憂患之子說：「在世上你們有苦難」--可是在這傷心的話語之後，就來了一句應許：「但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」（約16:33） 主在世上留下腳蹤，原是叫我們跟隨祂。那帶著血跡的腳步，正引領我們靠近祂的寶座；那傷痕是鐵杖的代價，那冠冕是用力所換得。這些全都是公開的秘密。 先聖都曾經歷許多患難--保羅、馬丁路得、撒房那羅拉 Savonarola 、拿克司 Knox 、衛斯理 Wesley ，以及一切大能的先鋒。他們都是從患難進入掌權的地位。將來會有一班環繞在寶座前唱讚美詩的人，他們都是「從大患難中出來的」（啟7:14） 每本偉大的著作都是作者的結晶；誰是希臘的大詩人？荷馬 Homer ，他是一位盲人。誰是寫那部不朽之作「天路歷程」的？是一位身穿紫袍盡享安樂的王子嗎？不不，他乃是培德福 Bedford 牢獄中的一個囚犯：本仁約翰 John Bunyan 。--選 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "None of these things move me" (Acts20:24). We read in the book of Samuel that the moment that David was crowned at Hebron, "All the Philistines came up to seek David." And the moment we get anything from the Lord worth contending for, then the devil comes to seek us. When the enemy meets us at the threshold of any great work for God, let us accept it as "a token of salvation," and claim double blessing, victory, and power. Power is developed by resistance. The cannon carries twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through resistance. The way electricity is produced in the powerhouse yonder is by the sharp friction of the revolving wheels. And so we shall find some day that even Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing. --Days of Heaven upon Earth Tribulation is the way to triumph. The valley-way opens into the highway. Tribulation's imprint is on all great things. Crowns are cast in crucibles. Chains of character that wind about the feet of God are forged in earthly flames. No man is greatest victor till he has trodden the winepress of woe. With seams of anguish deep in His brow, the "Man of Sorrows" said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation"--but after this sob comes the psalm of promise, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The footprints are traceable everywhere. Bloodmarks stain the steps that lead to thrones. Sears are the price of scepters. Our crowns will be wrested from the giants we conquer. Grief has always been the lot of greatness. It is an open secret. Tribulation has always marked the trail of the true reformer. It is the story of Paul, Luther, Savonarola, Knox, Wesley, and all the rest of the mighty army. They came through great tribulation to their place of power. Every great book has been written with the author's blood. "These are they that have come out of great tribulation." Who was the peerless poet of the Greeks? Homer. But that illustrious singer was blind. Who wrote the fadeless dream of "Pilgrim's Progress"? A prince in royal purple upon a couch of ease? Nay! The trailing splendor of that vision gilded the dingy walls of old Bedford jail while John Bunyan, a princely prisoner, a glorious genius, made a faithful transcript of the scene. ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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