|
經文：「要指示我，祢為何與我爭辯。」（伯10:2） 遭受試煉的讀者們，神正在訓練你們各樣的美德！因為有許多美德必須在試煉中才會彰顯出來；信心在夏天時不會像在冬天那麼強大而明顯；愛心似那螢火蟲非在黑暗的環境中發不出明亮的光；盼望就像星辰在晴朗的日光下並看不見，惟有在不幸的黑夜才會閃耀美麗的光彩。各種苦難就像寶石盒中內襯的黑絲絨，為要叫我們的美德如同寶石顯得更加炫麗。 你不是剛跪著禱告說：「主阿，我怕我沒有信心，請讓我知道我有沒有信心」嗎？你這樣禱告，豈不是無意間地在求試煉嗎？因為沒有受到試煉，又怎能知道自己有沒有信心呢？ 神若是給予我們試煉，常常是為要彰顯我們的品格，讓我們可以知道自己到底有沒有這些德行。並且試煉不只為了彰顯我們的品格，還可以使我們的德行長進。 神若要訓練祂的精兵，不能在安適奢華的宮中進行，需要在野外的營地中進行；必須打發士兵出去實際操練，兼程行軍，勞力服役。有時叫他們攀山，有時叫他們涉水，有時叫他們游泳，有時叫負重行軍。基督徒啊，這就是神的方法，難道你還能抱怨？--司布眞 C.H. Spurgeon 不被撒但打擾，並不是得福的證據。 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
|
|
◇◇◇
Scripture: "Show me wherefore thou contendest with me" (Job 10:2). Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never have been discovered if it were not for the trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too oft like a glowworm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. flictions are often the black folds in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that, on thy knees, thou wast saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith." Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?--for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it. God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers and climb mountains, and walk many a weary mile with heavy knapsacks on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you? --C. H. Spurgeon To be left unmolested by Satan is no evidence of blessing. ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
|