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經文：「但信還未來以先，我們被看守在律法之下，直圈到那將來的信顯明出來。」（加3:23） 在英文譯本裡，「直圈到那…信」這幾個字譯作 Shut up to faith。「Shut up」的意思是關閉；也就是說，如果我們被關閉在律法之下，自己就無法做好，也沒有可能做好。在這種完全沒有辦法，四面的路又都被關閉的光景之下，只有一條路是敞開的，這條路就是「信」。 過去，神曾允許人被看守在律法之下，為的是要讓他們知道信的可貴。 在律法之下，人能看見神的聖潔的標準；也能看見自己的全然無能；這樣當人在沒有辦法的時候，知道了神的因信稱義的救贖，會是多麼的歡喜快樂？ 如今，神還是常常會將我們關閉起來，只留下一條信心的道路給我們。我們的天性、環境、試煉、失望，都是神用來關閉與看守我們的方法；為了使我們看見：唯一的出路乃是祂所預備的信心的道路。摩西年少在埃及的時候，也曾想用個人的努力、勢力，甚至武力、暴力，來拯救他的民族。所以神必須先將他關閉四十年，然後才差他去做神的工作。 保羅和西拉往腓立比去傳福音，承受鞭打，被囚在監，還被上了腳鐐。他們四面的出路都被關閉，也是剩下一條信心的道路。他們就依靠神，在最黑暗的光景仍然禱告、唱詩、讚美神，神就向他們施行拯救。 約翰被放逐到拔摩海島，他四面的出路也是被關住，只留下一條信心的道路。如果他沒有經過這樣的關閉，就絕不能見到神榮耀的啟示。 --- 親愛的讀者，你是不是正遭遇極大的困難呢？是不是正有一件極大的失望臨到你？這件事是不是令你感到悲哀，又讓你遭受極大的損失？你是不是覺得很難度過？不要緊，你四面的出路雖然都被關住，卻還留著一條信心的道路。好好負起你的困難來交托神，並讚美祂！因為祂使「萬事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處」（羅8:28）。並且「神為等候祂的人行事」（賽64:4）。等到你受過試煉以後，神的祝福、幫助、啟示，都會加倍地臨到你；除了你自己以外，還有更多的他人，也都會因著你的試煉得到光照和祝福。--C.H.P. 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "Shut up to faith" (Gal. 3:23). God, in olden time suffered man to be kept in ward by the law that he might learn the more excellent way of faith. For by the law he would see God's holy standard and by the law he would see his own utter helplessness; then he would be glad to learn God's way of faith. God still shuts us up to faith. Our natures, our circumstances, trials, disappointments, all serve to shut us up and keep us in ward till we see that the only way out is God's way of faith. Moses tried by self-effort, by personal influence, even by violence, to bring about the deliverance of his people. God had to shut him up forty years in the wilderness before he was prepared for God's work. Paul and Silas were bidden of God to preach the Gospel in Europe. They landed and proceeded to Philippi. They were flogged, they were shut up in prison, their feet were put fast in the stocks. They were shut up to faith. They trusted God. They sang praises to Him in the darkest hour, and God wrought deliverance and salvation. John was banished to the Isle of Patmos. He was shut up to faith. Had he not been so shut up, he would never have seen such glorious visions of God. Dear reader, are you in some great trouble? Have you had some great disappointment, have you met some sorrow, some unspeakable loss? Are you in a hard place? Cheer up! You are shut up to faith. Take your trouble the right way. Commit it to God. Praise Him that He maketh "all things work together for good," and that "God worketh for him that waiteth for him." There will be blessings, help and revelations of God that will come to you that never could otherwise have come; and many besides yourself will receive great light and blessing because you were shut up to faith.--C. H. P ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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