|
經文：「我們經過水火；祢卻使我們到豐富之地。」（詩66:12） 有一種安息，是只有經歷過患難和痛苦的人才能得著；那是從受苦中發出，既不是故作鎮定也不是沉默，而是從心底自然而生的安息。 我們曾以為那些向來順遂不知道憂愁的人，是最懂安息的人。其實並非如此；因為這樣的人不曾經過試驗，也沒有遭受苦楚，所以可能輕輕一震也承受不住。 凡是沒有經過風浪的水手，就不能算是可靠的水手；所以初到船上的水手，都被分派到較不重要的崗位上工作。往往在狂風巨浪時守在最關鍵位置上的，總是那些曾歷經危險患難又死裡逃生的水手。因為他們能推測波浪的高度，能知道船桅的承受，能預料風雨的時間，能斷定輪索的強度。 當風雨飄搖波浪翻騰時，就環境來看似乎是沒有指望了；但是經歷過的人可以像一株受風刮的小草，趁這時反能彎下腰得安息。等到風浪一過，他們便又抬起頭來說：「這是出於耶和華。」（撒上3:18）--選 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會 |
◇◇◇ Scripture: "We went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Ps. 66:12). Paradoxical though it be, only that man is at rest who attains it through conflict. This peace, born of conflict, is not like the deadly hush preceding the tempest, but the serene and pure-aired quiet that follows it. It is not generally the prosperous one, who has never sorrowed, who is strong and at rest. His quality has never been tried, and he knows not how he can stand even a gentle shock. He is not the safest sailor who never saw a tempest; he will do for fair-weather service, but when the storm is rising, place at the important post the man who has fought out a gale, who has tested the ship, who knows her hulk sound, her rigging strong, and her anchor-flukes able to grasp and hold by the ribs of the world. When first affliction comes upon us, how everything gives way! Our clinging, tendril hopes are snapped, and our heart lies prostrate like a vine that the storm has torn from its trellis; but when the first shock is past, and we are able to look up, and say, "It is the Lord," faith lifts the shattered hopes once more, and binds them fast to the feet of God. Thus the end is confidence, safety, and peace. --Selected ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman |