Category: 《静夜亮光》

五月十七日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0517.mp3″]
经文: 你是我仆人，我拣选你。（以赛亚书四十一：9）

上帝的恩典在我们心中使我们成为祂的仆人。我们可能是不忠心的仆人，而且我们实在不配。但是，我们是祂的仆人，在祂的桌旁侍候，服从祂的命令。我们一度是罪的奴仆，但祂释放了我们，带我们进入祂的家，教导我们顺从祂的旨意。我们没有完美地事奉我们的主，若我们能，我们真是愿意作到完美的地步。当听到上帝的声音对我们说：“你是我的仆人。”我们就能与大卫同声回答：“我是祢的仆人……祢已经解开我的绑索。”(诗一一六：16)。
主不仅称我们是祂的仆人，更是祂所拣选的。不是我们先拣选祂，乃是祂拣选了我们。统治者的眼睛将我们选出来，不变的恩典之声则宣称：“我以永远的爱爱你”(耶三十一：3)。远在时间开始之前，远在太空被创造以前，上帝已经在祂的心中记下祂选民的名字。祂拣选他们要将其改变成祂儿子的形像，并按立他们成为祂那全备丰富之爱、恩典和荣耀的继承者。祂明白我们的心是罪恶的，但祂还是选择了我们。我们的救主不是善变的爱人，祂并不会只见到教会一丝微弱的美丽而喜悦她一段时日，然后因为她的不忠实而将她抛弃。不，祂以她为妻直到永远。耶和华说：“休妻的事……是我所恨恶的。”（玛二：16）永远的选择将我们的感恩和上帝的信实连结在一起，不是我们之中任何人可以否认的。

Evening, May 17
Scripture: “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee.”(Isaiah 41:9)

If we have received the grace of God in our hearts, its practical effect has been to make us God’s servants. We may be unfaithful servants, we certainly are unprofitable ones, but yet, blessed be his name, weare his servants, wearing his livery, feeding at his table, and obeying his commands. We were once the servants of sin, but he who made us free has now taken us into his family and taught us obedience to his will. We do not serve our Master perfectly, but we would if we could. As we hear God’s voice saying unto us, “Thou art my servant,” we can answer with David, “I am thy servant; thou hast loosed my bonds.” But the Lord calls us not only his servants, but his chosen ones－“I have chosen thee.” We have not chosen him first, but he hath chosen us. If we be God’s servants, we were not always so; to sovereign grace the change must be ascribed. The eye of sovereignty singled us out, and the voice of unchanging grace declared, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Long ere time began or space was created God had written upon his heart the names of his elect people, had predestinated them to be conformed unto the image of his Son, and ordained them heirs of all the fulness of his love, his grace, and his glory. What comfort is here! Has the Lord loved us so long, and will he yet cast us away? He knew how stiffnecked we should be, he understood that our hearts were evil, and yet he made the choice. Ah! our Saviour is no fickle lover. He doth not feel enchanted for awhile with some gleams of beauty from his church’s eye, and then afterwards cast her off because of her unfaithfulness. Nay, he married her in old eternity; and it is written of Jehovah, “He hateth putting away.” The eternal choice is a bond upon our gratitude and upon his faithfulness which neither can disown.

五月十六日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0516.mp3″]
经文: 他便说，耶和华如此说，你们要在这谷中满处挖沟。因为耶如华如此说，你们虽不见风，不见雨，这谷必满了水，使你们、和牲畜有水喝。（列王纪下三：16～17）

三王的军队因缺水行将灭亡。上帝已准备赐下水，先知预告了即将来临的祝福。这是一件人类无以能的实例。所有骁勇的人都无法从井中取得一滴水。上帝的百姓目睹自己的无能，因此明白帮助必须是单单来自上帝。上帝指示他们要为上帝的祝福作相信的准备。他们挖沟为了接受这宝贵的水。同样，教会必须预备自已来接受祝福。她必须将水池准备妥当，主才能将它充满。在祝福降下以前，她必须确实完成准备的工作。最后，奇妙供应的水就来了。在以利亚的事件中，阵雨从雪中倾盆降下，但在教会里，水池的充满是在安静神秘的情形下进行的。主有祂自己作主的行动方法，我们的工作只是以感恩的心，从祂领受，而不是去指挥祂。我们也必须注意特别丰富的供应──足以供给所有人之需要。福音也是这样。整个教会的需要，在上帝大能的应允时得满足。我为耶稣作了何事？我在挖掘的是什么沟？主啊！求使我准备接受祢所乐意赐予的祝福。

Evening, May 16
Scripture: “And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your cattle, and your beasts.”(2 Kings 3:16,17)

The armies of the three kings were famishing for want of water: God was about to send it, and in these words the prophet announced the coming blessing. Here wasa case of human helplessness: not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. Thus often the people of the Lord are at their wits’ end; they see the vanity of the creature, and learn experimentally where their help is to be found. Still the people were to make a believing preparation for the divine blessing; they were to dig the trenches in which the precious liquid would be held. The church must by her varied agencies, efforts, and prayers, make herself ready to be blessed; she must make the pools, and the Lord will fill them. This must be done in faith, in the full assurance that the blessing is about to descend. By-and-by there was a singular bestowal of the needed boon. Not as in Elijah’s case did the shower pour from the clouds, but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has his own sovereign modes of action: he is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as he pleases among the sons of men. It is ours thankfully to receive from him, and not to dictate to him. We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply －there was enough for the need of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing; all the wants of the congregation and of the entire church shall be met by the divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be speedily given to the armies of the Lord.

What am I doing for Jesus? What trenches am I digging? O Lord, make me ready to receive the blessing which thou art so willing to bestow.

五月十五日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0515.mp3″]
经文: 被成全。（希伯来书十二：23）

基督徒需要行在两种完全之中──在耶稣中称义和藉圣灵成圣。在重生的基督徒心中仍然存着腐败──经验告诉我们如此。上帝完成祂早已开始之工作的日子已临近。祂要我的灵魂不仅在基督内完全，更是藉圣灵得以完全，没有瑕疵。我这个拙劣的、有罪的心能成为圣洁，像上帝一般圣洁吗？我的灵魂常会呼喊：“我真是苦阿，谁能救我脱离这取死的身体呢？”（罗七：24）有一天，我将从罪和死中得到完全释放，没有任何邪恶之事可以侵扰我的耳朵，也没有不圣洁的思想来搅扰我的平安。当我穿过约但时，成圣的工作就成全了。那时，我的灵将在圣灵的火中受最后的洗礼。我渴望死去，以致能得到最终之洁净，引导我进入天国。藉耶稣的宝血和藉圣灵的工作，我能说：“我是洁净的。”我们应当颂扬圣灵的能力使我们配享在天父面前！将来能得以完全的盼望，不应令我们满足于目前的不完全。若是这样，我们的盼望就不可能是真的。恩典的工作必须现在就内住我们心中，否则到那时候就不能成为完全。让我们祈求“被圣灵充满”（弗五：18），使我们可以结出公义的果子。

Evening, May 15
Scripture: “Made perfect.”(Hebrews 12:23)

Recollect that there are two kinds of perfection which the Christian needs－the perfection of justification in the person of Jesus, and the perfection of sanctification wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. At present, corruption yet remains even in the breasts of the regenerate－experience soon teaches us this. Within us are still lusts and evil imaginations. But I rejoice to know that the day is coming when God shall finish the work which he has begun; and he shall present my soul, not only perfect in Christ, but perfect through the Spirit, without spot or blemish, or any such thing. Can it be true that this poor sinful heart of mine is to become holy even as God is holy? Can it be that this spirit, which often cries, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this sin and death?” shall get rid of sin and death－that I shall have no evil things to vex my ears, and no unholy thoughts to disturb my peace? Oh, happy hour! may it be hastened! When I cross the Jordan, the work of sanctification will be finished; but not till that moment shall I even claim perfection in myself. Then my spirit shall have its last baptism in the Holy Spirit’s fire. Methinks I long to die to receive that last and final purification which shall usher me into heaven. Not an angel more pure than I shall be, for I shall be able to say, in a double sense, “I am clean,” through Jesus’ blood, and through the Spirit’s work. Oh, how should we extol the power of the Holy Ghost in thus making us fit to stand before our Father in heaven! Yet let not the hope of perfection hereafter make us content with imperfection now. If it does this, our hope cannot be genuine; for a good hope is a purifying thing, even now. The work of grace must be abiding in us now or it cannot be perfected then. Let us pray to “be filled with the Spirit,” that we may bring forth increasingly the fruits of righteousness.

五月十四日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0514.mp3″]
经文: 用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中。（以赛亚书四十：11）

好牧人将羊羔抱在怀中，因为祂有一颗温柔的心。祂羊群中幼小羊羔的叹息、无知和软弱引出祂的同情。作为一位忠心的大祭司，祂的责任是顾念软弱的人。祂以宝血买赎了他们，因此他们是祂的产业。祂对每一羊羔有责任，并且用约系住他们，不能失去任何一个。他们全都是祂荣耀和赏赐的一部分。我们当如何来明白“祂要抱他们”呢？有时祂以不让他们忍受太多试验来抱住他们，或是以比平常更多的爱充满他们来抱住他们，使他们可以站立得稳。虽然他们的知识可能不深，但在他们所知的事物中，祂让他们感受很大的甜美。更常见的是，祂给他们一个十分简单的信心，以这方式抱持他们，使他们容易领受祂的应许。他们能带着每一困难真奔向耶稣。单纯的信心使他们能有不寻常的信任，引领他们超越世界。祂将羊羔抱在怀中，这是无边的爱。祂若不是深深爱着他们，会将他们抱在怀中吗？这是温柔的亲近，不可能更近了。在此有完全的平安。当祂将他们抱在怀中时，谁能伤害他们？敌人来攻击时，“牧人”先受到伤害。在此有完全的安息和最甜美的安慰。但愿我们能更深更完全感受耶稣的无限温柔！

Evening, May 14
Scripture: “He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.”(Isaiah 40:11)

Who is he of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is THE GOOD SHEPHERD . Why doth he carry the lambs in his bosom? Because He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts his heart. The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of his flock draw forth his compassion. It is his office, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak. Besides, he purchased them with blood, they are his property: he must and will care forthat which cost him so dear. Then he is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of his glory and reward.

But how may we understand the expression, “He will carry them”? Sometimes he carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial. Providence deals tenderly with them. Often they are “carried” by being filled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness in what they do know. Frequently he “carries” them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.

“He carries the lambs in his bosom.” Here is boundless affection. Would he put them in his bosom if he did not love them much? Here is tender nearness: so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer. Here is hallowed familiarity: there are precious love-passages between Christ and his weak ones. Here is perfect safety: in his bosom who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!

五月十三日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0513.mp3″]
经文: 耶和华是我的福分。（诗篇一一九：57）

看看你的财产，并与你的同伴比较一下。有些人靠田地生活。他们富有，丰收使他们收入大为增加。但是丰收算得了什么，能与丰收的上帝比较吗？谷仓爆满了，能与以天上的粮食喂养你的那一位相比较吗？有人在城市中作买卖。他们财物丰富，金钱向他们源源不断滚来，直至他们拥有如蓄水池般多的黄金。但是黄金能与上帝相比较吗？你不能吃金子，你的属灵生命不能靠它维持。将它用于一颗失望的心，看看它能否使呻吟停止或使忧伤痛苦减轻？但是在上帝里面，你拥有的远多于黄金或任何财富可以买到的。有人得到称赞的名誉，但是上帝于你岂不超过这些？你若被成千的人称赞，是否就能渡过约旦或面对审判？在生命中有忧伤，那是不能靠财富减轻的。死亡时刻的深切需要是财富所不能供应的。但是在上帝里面，不论是生是死，上帝解决你一切需要。上帝是你的福分，你是真正富足的。祂供应你所需要、安慰你的心、平息你的忧伤、引导你的脚步，在黑暗幽谷中与你同在，最后将你带回天家永远享受祂。以扫说：“我的已经够了。”（创三十三：9）这是属世的人所能说出的最好的事。但是雅各回答：“我拥有万物”，这话大高超了，属肉体的头脑是无法理解的。

Evening, May 13
Scripture: “Thou art my portion, O Lord.”(Psalm 119:57)

Look at thy possessions, O believer, and compare thy portion with the lot of thy fellowmen. Some of them have their portion in the field; they are rich, and their harvests yield them a golden increase; but what are harvests compared with thy God, who is the God of harvests? What are bursting granaries compared with him, who is the Husbandman, and feeds thee with the bread of heaven? Some have their portion in the city; their wealth is abundant, and flows to them in constant streams, until they become a very reservoir of gold; but what is gold compared with thy God? Thou couldst not live on it; thy spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Put it on a troubled conscience, and could it allay its pangs? Apply it to a desponding heart, and see if it could stay a solitary groan, or give one grief the less? But thou hast God, and in him thou hast more than gold or riches ever could buy. Some have their portion in that which most men love－applause and fame; but ask thyself, is not thy God more to thee than that? What if a myriad clarions should be loud in thine applause, would this prepare thee to pass the Jordan, or cheer thee in prospect of judgment? No, there are griefs in life which wealth cannot alleviate; and there is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide. But when thou hast God for thy portion, thou hast more than all else put together. In him every want is met, whether in life or in death. With God for thy portion thou art rich indeed, for he will supply thy need, comfort thy heart, assuage thy grief, guide thy steps, be with thee in the dark valley, and then take thee home, to enjoy him as thy portion for ever. “I have enough,” said Esau; this is the best thing a worldly man can say, but Jacob replies, “I have all things,” which is a note too high for carnal minds.

五月十二日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0512.mp3″]
经文: 你下埃及不要害怕，因为我必使你在那里成为大族。我要和你同下埃及去，也定带你上来。（创世记四十六：3～4）

当雅各想到要离开他父亲之地，去居住在外邦陌生人当中时，他必是害怕颤栗。那是一幅新的景像，且似乎是令人难堪的地方。但是，他已被明确地指派要走这条路，因此他决心去走。今日，信徒有时会遇到危险和试探。在这些时候，他门应当效法雅各，向上帝献上祷告，求祂引导。他们必须等待主的祝福才能开始行动。这样，雅各的同行者也将成为他们的朋友和帮助者。主屈尊下降进入卑微的人中间与我们同在。耶和华应许有祂同在之处，我们就不应犹豫不敢前往。因为有上帝确据的照耀，即使死亡的幽谷也充满光明。在上帝里面，靠着信心前进吧！信的人会从生命中的困境和死亡的暗室中被带上来。时候到了，雅各的后裔从埃及出来了。一切有信心的人，将通过生命的苦难和死亡的恐惧，不受伤害。让我们操练雅各的信心。主的命令是“不要害怕”，对于服从祂的旨意而出航到新海域的人，这话鼓励了他们。上帝的同在与保守，不允许人存有些微的恐惧或不信。没有上帝，我们不敢移动一步；但是当祂命令我们去的时候，停止不动也是危险的。前进吧，不要害怕！

Evening, May 12
Scripture: “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again.”(Genesis 46:3,4)

Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father’s sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new scene, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go. This is frequently the position of believers now－they are called to perils and temptations altogether untried: at such seasons let them imitate Jacob’s example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking his direction; let them not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for his blessing: then they will have Jacob’s companion to be their friend and helper. How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways, and condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments with us! Even beyond the ocean our Father’s love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence; even the valley of deathshade grows bright with the radiance of this assurance. Marching onwards with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob’s promise. They shall be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of death. Jacob’s seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life, and the terror of death. Let us exercise Jacob’s confidence. “Fear not,” is the Lord’s command and his divine encouragement to those who at his bidding are launching upon new seas; the divine presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we should fear to move; but when he bids us to, it would be dangerous to tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not.