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經文：「耶穌領他離開眾人，到一邊去。」（可7:33） 使徒保羅在自由的時候需要忍受試煉，在被囚的時候也還是需要忍受試煉。正如我們在最劇烈的勞動下受苦，也許還站得住；但若被監禁在牢獄中，而必須放下所有行動的自由時，恐怕就很容易失敗！ 勇敢的飛鳥，在自由翱翔的時候，能高飛直上雲霄，忍受長途的辛勞；但是在籠中的時候，卻只能垂頭喪氣地在籠子門上，拍著無力的翅膀。或許你曾見過：當老鷹被囚在籠中的時候，是怎樣了無生氣地低著頭，垂著翅膀！所以，失去行動的自由是多麼悲哀的景象呀！ 當保羅在監獄時，過的完全是另一種生活！你想他在監獄中該如何過？他所望的，不是監獄，乃是監獄頂上的天；不是仇敵，乃是仇敵頭上的天！我們看見他在所寫書信上的簽名；不是非斯都的囚犯，也不是該撒的囚犯；乃是『基督耶穌的囚犯』（弗3:1）。在這一切的事上，他只看見神的手。他視監獄為宮殿，所以獄中充滿了勝利的歡呼、讚美和喜樂。 雖然他被迫離開所愛的事工，但是卻設立了一個新的講台，一個全新的見證講台。他的被囚帶給我們一條最甘甜也最有益的自由之路，他在黑暗的拘禁中所帶出的信息和亮光，是多麼可貴啊！ 在保羅之後還有許多被囚的聖徒；本仁 Bunyan 在培特福（Bedford） 的監獄，被要求不許說話，長達十二年之久！但是在那裡他卻完成一生中最偉大與最佳美的事工；他著作了一本除了聖經以外，最被人誦讀的書。他說：「我在監獄中，如同在家中一樣安適；我坐下不停地一寫再寫，因為喜樂總是催促我再寫下去。」 那個異象照亮了無數疲憊旅客的路程。還有那精神煥發的法國女士蓋恩夫人 Madame Guyon ，她也曾長期被囚獄中。正如雀鳥因受監禁唱出更悅耳的歌聲，蓋恩夫人心裡的音樂也遠揚出監獄的牆外，驅散人們心中許多的愁苦與哀傷。 是的，屬天的安慰都是從寂寞中流出來的！--李斯 S. C. Rees 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "And he took him aside from the multitude" (Mark 7:33). Paul not only stood the tests in Christian activity, but in the solitude of captivity. You may stand the strain of the most intense labor, coupled with severe suffering, and yet break down utterly when laid aside from all religious activities; when forced into close confinement in some prison house. That noble bird, soaring the highest above the clouds and enduring the longest flights, sinks into despair when in a cage where it is forced to beat its helpless wings against its prison bars. You have seen the great eagle languish in its narrow cell with bowed head and drooping wings. What a picture of the sorrow of inactivity. Paul in prison. That was another side of life. Do you want to see how he takes it? I see him looking out over the top of his prison wall and over the heads of his enemies. I see him write a document and sign his name--not the prisoner of Festus, nor of Caesar; not the victim of the Sanhedrin; but the--"prisoner of the Lord." He saw only the hand of God in it all. To him the prison becomes a palace. Its corridors ring with shouts of triumphant praise and joy. Restrained from the missionary work he loved so well, he now built a new pulpit--a new witness stand--and from that place of bondage come some of the sweetest and most helpful ministries of Christian liberty. What precious messages of light come from those dark shadows of captivity. Think of the long train of imprisoned saints who have followed in Paul's wake. For twelve long years Bunyan's lips were silenced in Bedford jail. It was there that he did the greatest and best work of his life. There he wrote the book that has been read next to the Bible. He says, "I was at home in prison and I sat me down and wrote, and wrote, for joy did make me write." The wonderful dream of that long night has lighted the pathway of millions of weary pilgrims. That sweet-spirited French lady, Madam Guyon, lay long between prison walls. Like some caged birds that sing the sweeter for their confinement, the music of her soul has gone out far beyond the dungeon walls and scattered the desolation of many drooping hearts. Oh, the heavenly consolation that has poured forth from places of solitude!--S. G. Rees ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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