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經文：「我曾耐性等候耶和華。」（詩40:1） 知道嗎，等候比行動困難得多？等候需要忍耐，而忍耐是一件不容易的品格。神在祂子民的四周都建築了籬笆好保護他們；當籬笆越築越高，甚至連頂也看不見的時候，我們就要發急；極欲知道以後有沒有機會能從這個幽閉的勢力範圍裡出去，我們不能明白為甚麼我們不能有一個較大的環境。但是神在祂一切工作上都有目的的。 「義人的腳步，被耶和華立定。」（詩37:23） 在慕勒的聖經上，上述經文旁邊附註著：「義人的止步，也被耶和華立定。」；但是我們卻常常喜歡向外跨越神為我們所建築的籬笆，這實在是一個極大的錯誤。一個基督徒如果已經確實知道：是神將他放在現在的位置上，就千萬不可輕舉妄動；應該等到到雲柱移動了才可以移動，這是非常重要的。--譯自主日學報 Sunday School Times 甚麼時候我們學會在每件事上等待神的引導，甚麼時候我們就會知道，只有在安靜中，我們的靈命才會到達最高點。在我們之中有許多人缺乏這種安靜的力量，但是如果神指定我們去做一件工作，祂必定會給我們夠用的力量。所以耐性等候，遵行神的引導，這就是得能力的秘訣。其它在神旨意之外的，都是白費，就讓我們等候神的引導吧。--戈登 S. D. Gordon 在神的引導來到之前，我們等候不動卻錯失良機，這樣不是一個極大的損失嗎？不，勝利就是在不動與靜候中得到的。這要比行動艱難千倍；需要更大的勇氣才能站住、等候、不喪膽、不絕望；絕對服從神的旨意；將工作和榮譽讓給他人；別人都在快活忙碌地工作，自己卻能安安靜靜，帶著信心而歡樂。這才是最偉大的生活；「成就了一切還能站立得住」（弗6:13）。--密勒 J. R. Miller 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "In waiting, I waited, for the Lord" (Ps. 40:1, margin). Waiting is much more difficult than walking. Waiting requires patience, and patience is a rare virtue. It is fine to know that God builds hedges around His people--when the hedge is looked at from the viewpoint of protection. But when the hedge is kept around one until it grows so high that he cannot see over the top, and wonders whether he is ever to get out of the little sphere of influence and service in which he is pent up, it is hard for him sometimes to understand why he may not have a larger environment--hard for him to "brighten the corner" where he is. But God has a purpose in all HIS holdups. "The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord," reads Psalm 37:23. On the margin of his Bible at this verse George Mueller had a notation, "And the stops also." It is a sad mistake for men to break through God's hedges. It is a vital principle of guidance for a Christian never to move out of the place in which he is sure God has placed him, until the Pillar of Cloud moves.--Sunday School Times When we learn to wait for our Lord's lead in everything, we shall know the strength that finds its climax in an even, steady walk. Many of us are lacking in the strength we so covet. But God gives full power for every task He appoints. Waiting, holding oneself true to His lead--this is the secret of strength. And anything that falls out of the line of obedience is a waste of time and strength. Watch for His leading.--S. D. Gordon Must life be a failure for one compelled to stand still in enforced inaction and see the great throbbing tides of life go by? No; victory is then to be gotten by standing still, by quiet waiting. It is a thousand times harder to do this than it was in the active days to rush on in the columns of stirring life. It requires a grander heroism to stand and wait and not lose heart and not lose hope, to submit to the will of God, to give up work and honors to others, to be quiet, confident and rejoicing, while the happy, busy multitude go on and away. It is the grandest life "having done all, to stand."--J. R. Miller ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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