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經文：「凡不因我跌倒的，就有福了。」（路7:23） 許多時候要能「不因主跌倒」，的確是一件很難做到的事。 使我們跌倒的也許是因為環境的緣故；當我們渴望為主作工的時候，卻被囚在一個極狹窄的地方、一間病室、一個不順遂的地位上。 但是，無論如何，主知道我們的需要。我們所在的環境，都是主親手替我們安排的。祂放我們在現在的地位上，是要加增我們的信心，牽引我們更親近祂。 使我們跌倒的也許是思想方面的原因；當思想一直縈繞著許多我們無法解決的疑問與難題時。我們原本希望：當我們把自己交給主了以後，天色就會常藍；可是交託了以後，天空仍滿佈著烟霧與黑雲。 讓我們定意相信：如果我們把自己交給主以後，困難仍在的話，這必定是因為主要我們學習更深地信祂的緣故。 使我們跌倒的也許是屬靈方面的緣由；我們曾經以為只要在主的懷中，就不再遭受試探的狂風；不料，試探的狂風卻比以往更加猛烈。 試探越加猛烈，神的恩典越大。當我們回顧自己一路上所遭遇的試煉，就會大聲歌頌讚美我們的嚮導。所以，不論前方將遭遇的是甚麼，只要是神的旨意，我們都應該歡迎。 所以，但願我們不再因我們的愛主跌倒！--司買莉 Alexander Smellie 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" (Luke 7:23). It is sometimes very difficult not to be offended in Jesus Christ. The offenses may be circumstantial. I find myself in a prison-house--a narrow sphere, a sick chamber, an unpopular position--when I had hoped for wide opportunities. Yes, but He knows what is best for me. My environment is of His determining. He means it to intensify my faith, to draw me into nearer communion with Himself, to ripen my power. In the dungeon my soul should prosper. The offense may be mental. I am haunted by perplexities, questions, which I cannot solve. I had hoped that, when I gave myself to Him, my sky would always be clear; but often it is overspread by mist and cloud. Yet let me believe that, if difficulties remain, it is that I may learn to trust Him all the more implicitly--to trust and not be afraid. Yes, and by my intellectual conflicts, I am trained to be a tutor to other storm-driven men. The offense may be spiritual. I had fancied that within His fold I should never feel the biting winds of temptation; but it is best as it is. His grace is magnified. My own character is matured. His Heaven is sweeter at the close of the day. There I shall look back on the turnings and trials of the way, and shall sing the praises of my Guide. So, let come what will come, His will is welcome; and I shall refuse to be offended in my loving Lord. --Alexander Smellie ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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