Category: 《静夜亮光》

九月二十日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0920.mp3″]
经文: 晚上也不要歇你的手。（传道书十一：6）

夕阳西下，黄昏来临，仍有许多为基督作见证的机会。整天劳碌的人们返家了，迫切争取灵魂的工人有机会了，此时，正是向他们述说那稣之爱的时刻。我们是否在黄昏为耶稣作工？若没有，也勿让我环抱双臂。有一工作需要付出极大的努力。罪人因缺乏知识而灭亡。闲荡的人会发现他的双手被灭亡灵魂的血所染红。耶稣伸出双手被钉。我怎能对祂的圣工袖手旁观？祂夜以断日为我辛劳、为我祈求。我怎能浪费分秒放纵自己贪图肉体的暑华安逸？起来吧，怠惰的心！伸出你的手去作工或高举双手祈祷吧！天堂与地狱都在迫切工作。让我也辛勤地工作，今晚为王播下一颗好种吧！生命是如此短促。无人能虚掷一日。倘若有一位国王在我们面前置放一堆金子，告诉我们只要数多少，就可以拿多少，我们必不停地从清晨数到夜尽。我们必然从晨曦微露开始，到黄昏降临也不会歇手。赢取灵魂是更高贵的工作。为何我们这么快就停工了呢？有人到了晚年仍然善用晚上的时光。若我能作到，我要用自己所有的才能去事奉我所称颂的信实之主，直到最后一刻。靠着祂的恩典，我愿在事奉中逝世，唯有当我的躯体躺下时，我才放下工作。晚上，我也不愿歇手。
 

Evening, September 20
Scripture: “In the evening withhold not thy hand.”(Ecclesiastes 11:6)

In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful: men return from their labour, and the zealous soul-winner finds time to tell abroad the love of Jesus. Have I no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me no longer withhold my hand from a service which requires abundant labour. Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; he who loiters may find his skirts crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both his hands to the nails, how can I keep back one of mine from his blessed work? Night and day he toiled and prayed for me, how can I give a single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease? Up, idle heart; stretch out thy hand to work, or uplift it to pray; heaven and hell are in earnest, let me be so, and this evening sow good seed for the Lord my God.
The evening of life has also its calls. Life is so short that a morning of manhood’s vigour, and an evening of decay, make the whole of it. To some it seems long, but a four-pence is a great sum of money to a poor man. Life is so brief that no man can afford to lose a day. It has been well said that if a great king should bring us a great heap of gold, and bid us take as much as we could count in a day, we should make a long day of it; we should begin early in the morning, and in the evening we should not withhold our hand; but to win souls is far nobler work, how is it that we so soon withdraw from it? Some are spared to a long evening of green old age; if such be my case, let me use such talents as I still retain, and to the last hour serve my blessed and faithful Lord. By his grace I will die in harness, and lay down my charge only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the desponding; if eventide has less of vigorous heat, it should have more of calm wisdom, therefore in the evening I will not withhold my hand.

九月十九日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0919.mp3″]
经文: 我祈求为要得这孩子。（撒母耳记上一：27）

敬虔的心喜欢看到藉祈祷所得到的祝福，因为他们见到上帝在应允祈求时的特殊大爱。当我们提到“撒母耳”这个名字（意思是“从上帝那里求来的”）时，会感到十分亲切，正如哈拿爱这孩子一样。毗尼拿有许多儿女，只是这些儿女都是未经祈求而得的，是上帝的一般性祝福。哈拿只有一个儿子，是上帝所特别恩赐的，是更蒙爱的，因为他是迫切祈求的果子。祈求之杯自己所带来的祝福增添甜美。我们是否为自己孩子的信仰祈求？当他们得救了，当我们见到祈求应允在他们身上时，心中必有双重的甜美！不仅因为他们是我们身体所结的果子，更因为他们是我们恳求所结的果子。我们曾否寻求从主而来的属灵礼物？当上帝赐我们属灵礼物时，是以祂的信实和真理的金色纸张包里，因此是双倍珍贵。我们曾否祈求主的工作得以成就，看到上帝的兴旺驾着祈祷之翼飞翔是何等喜乐啊！经由祈祷之门进入我们家庭的祝福总是最美好的。在此情形下的祝福是真正的祝福而不是试探。即使祈求没有即时蒙应允，祝福也会因为迟延到来变得更为丰盛。马利亚在耶路撒冷寻找孩童耶稣，三日后，发现祂在圣殿中，这时在马利亚眼中的耶稣更为可爱（参阅路二：43～49）。因祈求而来的福气应当呈献给上帝，如同哈拿将撒母耳献于上帝一样。因为礼物是从天而来，就让它返回天上。让我们将爱献给上帝。
 

Evening, September 19
Scripture: “For this child I prayed.”(1 Samuel 1:27)

Devout souls delight to look upon those mercies which they have obtained in answer to supplication, for they can see God’s especial love in them. When we can name our blessings Samuel, that is, “asked of God,” they will be as dear to us as her child was to Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but they came as common blessings unsought in prayer: Hannah’s one heaven-given child was dearer far, because he was the fruit of earnest pleadings. How sweet was that water to Samson which he found at “the well of him that prayed!” Quassia cups turn all waters bitter, but the cup of prayer puts a sweetness into the draughts it brings. Did we pray for the conversion of our children? How doubly sweet, when they are saved, to see in them our own petitions fulfilled! Better to rejoice over them as the fruit of our pleadings than as the fruit of our bodies. Have we sought of the Lord some choice spiritual gift? When it comes to us it will be wrapped up in the gold cloth of God’s faithfulness and truth, and so be doubly precious. Have we petitioned for success in the Lord’s work? How joyful is the prosperity which comes flying upon the wings of prayer! It is always best to get blessings into our house in the legitimate way, by the door of prayer; then they are blessings indeed, and not temptations. Even when prayer speeds not, the blessings grow all the richer for the delay; the child Jesus was all the more lovely in the eyes of Mary when she found him after having sought him sorrowing. That which we win by prayer we should dedicate to God, as Hannah dedicated Samuel. The gift came from heaven, let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it, gratitude sang over it, let devotion consecrate it. Here will be a special occasion for saying, “Of thine own have I given unto thee.” Reader, is prayer your element or your weariness? Which?

九月十八日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0918.mp3″]
经文: 他们也跟着我。（约翰福音十：27）

我们应当毫无迟疑地跟随我们的主，如同羊群跟随牧人一样，因为祂有权利引导我们至祂所喜悦的地方。我们并不是自己的人，是祂重价买来的（参阅林前六：20）。但愿我们都能承认救赎宝血的权利。士兵跟随长官，仆人服从主人。我们必须跟从拯救我们的主。祂买赎我们成为祂的产业。我们若质问主的命令而承认自己是基督徒，不是真的基督徒。顺服是我们的责任，抱怨是我们的羞耻。我们的主会对我们说，就如同祂当年对彼得所说的：“与你何干？你跟从我吧！”（约二十一：22）。耶稣无论领我们到何处，祂必行在我们前头。有这样的一位同伴，谁还畏惧途径上的危险？路途可能漫长，但是有祂永远的膀臂扶持我们直至终点。耶稣的同在就是永恒救恩的确据。因为祂活着，我们也能活着。我们只需以单纯的信心跟随基督，因为祂所引领的路径导至荣耀和永生。路径可能并不平顺，但是导向那“有根基的城，就是上帝所经营所建造的”（来十一：10）。“凡遵守祂的约和祂法度的人，耶和华都以慈爱诚实待他。”（诗二十五：10）但愿我们完全信靠我们的“领导者”。我们明白，无论是兴旺、是灾难；是疾病、是健康；是受欢迎、是被藐视；都是为了实现祂纯洁完美的目的。较之那些安坐家中，藉世界的壁炉烤火取暖的人，祂的大爱更能使我们蒙福。无论登上山顶或下到狮子坑中，我们必跟随至爱的主。
 

Evening, September 18
Scripture: “And they follow me.”(John 10:27)

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price－let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty, cavilling is our folly. Often might our Lord say to us as to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road? The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths－they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant.” Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, his dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire. To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards, we will follow our Beloved. Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after thee.

九月十七日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0917.mp3″]
经文: 你要勉励他。（申命记一：38）

上帝呼召祂的百姓要彼此勉励。祂并没有对天使说：“加百列，我的仆人约书亚将要领我的百姓进入迦南地。你去，勉励他。”上帝永不行不必要的神迹。倘若祂的目的能藉寻常的方法完成，祂就不用神迹的大能。加百列并不适合担当摩西的工作，即使一半也不行。弟兄的同情比天使的工作更为珍贵。天使从未经历过摩西在旷野中所经历过的，就是走在难行的道上，遇到凶猛之蛇类，或领导硬着脖子的群众。上帝通常藉着另一个人为人类工作，我们应当为此高兴。在人之间可以形成兄弟般的连合，彼此互相依靠，更完全地融合成一个家庭。请以今晚的经文作为上帝给你的信息。努力去帮助别人，特别是要竭力去鼓励他们。愉快地和年轻人和渴慕的发问者谈话。以爱心试着除去他路上的绊脚石。一旦你发现他心中恩典的火花闪耀，就赶紧跪下吹气，使之发生火焰。让年轻的信徒逐步去发现道路上的崎岖，同时却要告诉他在上帝里面的能力、上帝应许的确实、和与基督相交的甜美。安慰忧伤者，鼓励心灵疲乏者是你的目标。以喜乐鼓励那些惧怕继续行走的人。上帝以祂的应许鼓励你。基督已为你赢得天国，祂用手指向天国，以此来鼓励你。圣灵在你心中作工使你遵行祂的旨意，祂以此来鼓励你。效法属天的智慧，去鼓励别人吧!
 

Evening, September 17
Scripture: “Encourage him.”(Deuteronomy 1:38)

God employs his people to encourage one another. He did not say to an angel, “Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into Canaan－go, encourage him.” God never works needless miracles; if his purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, he will not use miraculous agency. Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses. A brother’s sympathy is more precious than an angel’s embassy. The angel, swift of wing, had better known the Master’s bidding than the people’s temper. An angel had never experienced the hardness of the road, nor seen the fiery serpents, nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done. We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we are fused more completely into one family. Brethren, take the text as God’s message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees, but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by his promises; Christ encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others, according to the word of this evening.

九月十六日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0916.mp3″]
经文: 我对上帝说，我岂是洋海、岂是大鱼、祢竟防守我呢？（约伯记七：12）

约伯所问的实在是一个奇怪的问题。他自以为是一个毫不重要的人，不必受严谨的守护和磨练。他也不感到自己是不守法的，需要被约束。对一个被不可理喻的苦难所包围的人来说，这个疑问是很自然的。但是约伯的问题得到一个令人十分羞愧的答案。人不是大海。这是真的，但是他比大海更会制造麻烦，更不守约束。海洋尚且顺从地尊重它的界限，虽然那只是一条沙带。以自我意志为中心的人却公然反对天国并压迫世人。他反叛的怒火是无止境的。海洋服从月亮，潮汐按照永不止息的规则涨退，既主动又被动地顺从。然而，人超越自己范围动乱不停。他在工作岗位上打盹，应当活动之时却偷懒。对上帝的命令不理不睬，故意去作不该作的事，要求他的反倒不作。海洋中的每一水滴、每一泡沫、每一波浪、和每一贝壳卵石都感到自然法则的能力，立即响应行动。唉，我们的本性可能至多只有海洋千分之一的意愿，愿意顺从上帝的旨意！我们常称海洋是变幻诡谲，其实它是多么恒定！千百年前，在我们祖先的时代，海洋就已在它所在的地方，每天以一定的声调拍击着同一岩石。可是虚空善变的人又如何呢？聪明人能猜测自己下一刻因被诱离顺服而犯下何种愚蠢的罪行吗？我们必须比汹涌澎湃的大海更为谨守，因为我们实在是非常悖逆的。主啊，求祢为了自己的荣耀来管理我们。
 

Evening, September 16
Scripture: “Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?”(Job 7:12)

This was a strange question for Job to ask of the Lord. He felt himself to be too insignificant to be so strictly watched and chastened, and he hoped that he was not so unruly as to need to be so restrained. The enquiry was natural from one surrounded with such insupportable miseries, but after all, it is capable of a very humbling answer. It is true man is not the sea, but he is even more troublesome and unruly. The sea obediently respects its boundary, and though it be but a belt of sand, it does not overleap the limit. Mighty as it is, it hears the divine hitherto, and when most raging with tempest it respects the word; but self-willed man defies heaven and oppresses earth, neither is there any end to this rebellious rage. The sea, obedient to the moon, ebbs and flows with ceaseless regularity, and thus renders an active as well as a passive obedience; but man, restless beyond his sphere, sleeps within the lines of duty, indolent where he should be active. He will neither come nor go at the divine command, but sullenly prefers to do what he should not, and to leave undone that which is required of him. Every drop in the ocean, every beaded bubble, and every yeasty foam-flake, every shell and pebble, feel the power of law, and yield or move at once. O that our nature were but one thousandth part as much conformed to the will of God! We call the sea fickle and false, but how constant it is! Since our fathers’ days, and the old time before them, the sea is where it was, beating on the same cliffs to the same tune; we know where to find it, it forsakes not its bed, and changes not in its ceaseless boom; but where is man-vain, fickle man? Can the wise man guess by what folly he will next be seduced from his obedience? We need more watching than the billowy sea, and are far more rebellious. Lord, rule us for thine own glory. Amen.

九月十五日 [mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/09/0915.mp3″]
经文: 与祂相近的百姓。（诗篇一四八：14）

旧约要求和人之间保持距离。当上帝向祂的仆人摩西显现时，祂说：“不要近前来，当把你脚上的鞋脱下来。”（出三：5）当祂在西乃山上向那些分别出来、属祂的选民彰显祂自己时，起初的命令有一条就是：“要在山的四围定界限”（出十九：23）。无论是在会幕或在圣殿向上帝敬拜，保持距离的想法常是重要的。唯有祭司才敢进入至圣所。至于最内部的处所，即至圣所，一年只能进入一次，且只有大祭司才得进入。在早期的岁月中，上帝似乎要教导人明白祂极厌恶罪。即使在祂接近他们时，祂仍要使人感到在圣洁的上帝和污秽的罪人之间有一重隔阂。等到福音临到人类时，我们才获得新的邀请。“来”这个字代替了“去”。接近代替了距离。从前远离上帝的人，藉着耶稣基督的血得以亲近了（参阅弗二：13）。道成肉身的上帝没有被火墙所围绕。“凡劳苦重担重的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。”（太十一：28）当上帝以肉身显于人间时，祂发出以上可喜的宣告。藉耶稣，人可以安全地，享有特权来亲近上帝！你曾否有此经历？你若经历过，你是否活在这大能里？这种亲近是奇妙的，然而我们必须进入更亲近的处所。正如经上所说：“上帝的帐幕在人间。祂要与人同住。”（启二十一：3）
 

Evening, September 15
Scripture: “A people near unto him.”(Psalm 148:14)

The dispensation of the old covenant was that of distance. When God appeared even to his servant Moses, he said, “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet”; and when he manifested himself upon Mount Sinai, to his own chosen and separated people, one of the first commands was, “Thou shalt set bounds about the mount.” Both in the sacred worship of the tabernacle and the temple, the thought of distance was always prominent. The mass of the people did not even enter the outer court. Into the inner court none but the priests might dare to intrude; while into the innermost place, or the holy of holies, the high priest entered but once in the year. It was as if the Lord in those early ages would teach man that sin was so utterly loathsome to him, that he must treat men as lepers put without the camp; and when he came nearest to them, he yet made them feel the width of the separation between a holy God and an impure sinner. When the gospel came, we were placed on quite another footing. The word “Go” was exchanged for “Come”; distance was made to give place to nearness, and we who aforetime were afar off, were made nigh by the blood of Jesus Christ. Incarnate Deity has no wall of fire about it. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” is the joyful proclamation of God as he appears in human flesh. Not now does he teach the leper his leprosy by setting him at a distance, but by himself suffering the penalty of his defilement. What a state of safety and privilege is this nearness to God through Jesus! Do you know it by experience? If you know it, are you living in the power of it? Marvellous is this nearness, yet it is to be followed by a dispensation of greater nearness still, when it shall be said, “The tabernacle of God is with men, and he doth dwell among them.” Hasten it, O Lord.