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經文：「我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱、凌辱、急難、逼迫、困苦、為可喜樂的。因我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了。」（林後12:10） 若是把這節經文直譯出來，是非常有力量的：「我若為了基督的緣故，就算是沒有力量、被人侮辱、受折磨、被追趕、關入絕境，我依然充滿喜樂。因為我甚麼時候沒有力量，就甚麼時候像炸藥一樣強而有力。」 這就是得神夠用恩典的秘訣：承認自己與所在環境的一切都已無可指望。當我們到了這種境地的時候，就不會再去求人的同情了。因為所有的患難或痛苦，都是我們可以藉此向神求祝福的條件。--A. B. Simpson 蘇格蘭的已故盲人佈道家 George Matheson 說：「神阿，我從來沒有為我的刺感謝過祢；我曾為我的玫瑰感謝過祢一千次，卻沒有為我的刺感謝過祢一次。我一直注目仰望那個因背十字架而得的獎賞，卻從來沒有想過十字架本身就是現在榮耀的獎賞。 求祢使我知道十字架的榮耀，也求祢使我知道那刺的價值。求祢使我看見傷痛之路是前往祢身邊的階梯，也求祢使我看見我的眼淚是築成彩虹的材料。」--選 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). The literal translation of this verse gives a startling emphasis to it, and makes it speak for itself with a force that we have probably never realized. Here It is: "Therefore I take pleasure in being without strength, in insults, in being pinched, in being chased about, in being cooped up in a corner for Christ's sake; for when I am without strength, then am I dynamite." Here is the secret of Divine all-sufficiency, to come to the end of everything in ourselves and in our circumstances. When we reach this place, we will stop asking for sympathy because of our hard situation or bad treatment, for we will recognize these things as the very conditions of our blessing, and we will turn from them to God and find in them a claim upon Him. --A. B. Simpson George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher of Scotland, who recently went to be with the Lord, said: "My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross; but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory. "Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my thorn. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbows." ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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