《静夜亮光》一月十一日

一月十一日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0111.mp3″]

“我已经为你祈求。”(路二十二32)

每念到救赎主不断为我们代求,我们的心就深受激励。当我们祷告时,祂为我们祈求;当我们不祈求时,祂也一样为我们代求。因祂的代求,使我们可以脱离许多看不见的危险。请注意祂安慰彼得的话:“西门,西门,撒但想要得着你们,好筛你们像筛麦子一样;但”——接下来是什么呢?是否要彼得“为自己祈求”呢?虽然这是很好的忠告,却不是圣经的记载。祂也不是说:“我要助你警醒,使你得蒙保守,”虽然这也是很大的祝福,但祂并没有这样说,祂说:“我已经为你祈求,叫你不至于失了信心”(路二十二31、32)。我们很少知道对主代求之恩有多亏欠,有一天等我们到天上,回顾神所引领我们经过的路程,祂如何摧毁撒但在地上的作为,在永恒的宝座面前,我们的心将要发出极大的赞美。我们将会多么感谢祂,因祂从不停息,昼夜向神指着自己手上的钉痕为我们代求;又将我们的名字佩在祂的胸前。甚至当撒但尚未试探之前,耶稣已先在天上为我们辩护代求。怜悯能向凶恶夸胜。祂不是说:“撒但在筛你,我会为你祷告。”而是说:“撒但想要得着你们。”祂阻止撒但一切的计谋,使它归于无用;祂不是说:“我想为你祷告。”而是说:“我已经为你祈求。我进到法庭,在撒但还未控告你之前,先做了辩护的工作。”哦,主耶稣啊,每当想到你为我们的事祈求,为我们抵挡那看不见的仇敌,我们的心就何等受安慰!你拆除仇敌设下的网罗揭穿他们埋伏的诡计,这正是我们喜乐、感激、盼望和信靠的凭据。

Evening, January 11

Scripture: “I have prayed for thee.”(Luke 22:32)

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter—“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but”—what? “But go and pray for yourself.” That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, “But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved.” That were a great blessing. No, it is, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” We little know what we owe to our Saviour’s prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank him because he never held his peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon his hands, and carried our names upon his breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Mark, he does not say, “Satan hath desired to have you.” He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud. He does not say, “But I have desired to pray for you.” No, but “I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made.” O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.

《静夜亮光》一月十日

一月十日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0110.mp3″]

“我必在肉体之外得见神。”(伯十九26)

请注意约伯在敬虔中所期望看见的——“我必得见神”,他并没有说:“我将见到圣徒们”,虽然见到他们也会带给他无以言喻的喜乐;但他却说:“我必得见神。”他也不是说:“我将见到珍珠门,碧玉街,并看到金冠冕。”而是说:“我必得见神。”这是天堂的一切和实质,是众圣徒喜乐的盼望。今天我们能凭信心看到祂,这是我们喜乐的缘由。信徒们也盼望在与祂交通和祷告时见到祂;但在天堂那里,我们会看到一个敞开而无遮掩的异象——我们必“得见祂的真体”,因而能像祂那样完全。有什么盼望比看见神更宝贵?也有人将这节经文念成:“我将在肉体中见到神”,认为是指基督“道成肉身”说的;在末后的日子,我们还要见祂的荣耀。不论如何,基督总是我们永恒异象的目标。世上没有一种喜乐胜过亲眼看见祂的喜乐。不要认为这种想法很狭窄。基督虽然是唯一喜乐的源头,但这源头是无限的。祂一切的属性都可作我们深思的题目。无论从那一个属性来看,祂都是无限的,祂的工作、祂的恩典、祂对我们的爱、祂一切的旨意与作为所彰显出来的荣耀,都可以成为一个万古常新的主题。列祖因远远看见神,就以为自己的欢乐说:“我自己要见祂,亲眼要看祂”(伯十九27)。试着了解这天上的福气,试想这对你是何等大的事:“你的眼目必见王的荣美”(赛三十三17)。当我们注目仰望神,一切属世的光辉,都会黯淡消逝;唯在主里,有一道永不衰退,永不消失的荣光——“我必得见神。”

Evening, January 10

Scripture: “In my flesh shall I see God.”(Job 19:26)

Mark the subject of Job’s devout anticipation “I shall see God.” He does not say, “I shall see the saints”—though doubtless that will be untold felicity—but, “I shall see God.” It is not—“I shall see the pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon the crowns of gold,” but “I shall see God.” This is the sum and substance of heaven, this is the joyful hope of all believers. It is their delight to see him now in the ordinances by faith. They love to behold him in communion and in prayer; but there in heaven they shall have an open and unclouded vision, and thus seeing “him as he is,” shall be made completely like him. Likeness to God—what can we wish for more? And a sight of God—what can we desire better? Some read the passage, “Yet, I shall see God in my flesh,” and find here an allusion to Christ, as the “Word made flesh,” and that glorious beholding of him which shall be the splendour of the latter days. Whether so or not it is certain that Christ shall be the object of our eternal vision; nor shall we ever want any joy beyond that of seeing him. Think not that this will be a narrow sphere for the mind to dwell in. It is but one source of delight, but that source is infinite. All his attributes shall be subjects for contemplation, and as he is infinite under each aspect, there is no fear of exhaustion. His works, his gifts, his love to us, and his glory in all his purposes, and in all his actions, these shall make a theme which will be ever new. The patriarch looked forward to this sight of God as a personal enjoyment. “Whom mine eye shall behold, and not another.” Take realizing views of heaven’s bliss; think what it will be to you. “Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty.” All earthly brightness fades and darkens as we gaze upon it, but here is a brightness which can never dim, a glory which can never fade—“I shall see God.”

《静夜亮光》一月九日

一月九日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0109.mp3″]

“当乐意侍奉耶和华。”(诗一〇〇2)

一个人是否乐意服侍神,可从他是否满心喜乐看出来。当人带着愁苦的面孔侍奉祂时,就表示他们在从事一项自己不喜欢的工作,这不算真正的服侍。他们有敬虔的外表,却缺乏实际的生命。我们的神不需要靠奴仆来增添祂宝座的荣耀,祂所统管的是爱的国度,祂喜悦仆人披着喜乐的衣裳来服侍祂。天使是以歌声而非呻吟声来侍奉祂。埋怨或叹息是背逆的表现;不甘心的顺服实际等于不顺服,因为我们的神是鉴察人心的。若祂看到我们勉强服侍祂,不是因为爱祂而服侍祂,祂会拒绝我们的奉献。喜乐的服侍是内心的侍奉,也是真正的侍奉。若把甘心乐意从基督徒身上取去,他就失去考验真诚的准则。一个人若被迫去上战场,必不是爱国之士;但如果他目光炯炯,神情焕发,高唱“为国捐驱何等光荣”,这就证明他是具有爱国热诚的国民。喜乐能产生力量,在神的欢乐中我们必要刚强。喜乐具有移山倒海的力量。在我们的侍奉中,喜乐像加在轮轴上的机油,缺了它,轮轴就会摩擦发热而生意外。照样,假如我们侍奉的轮轴缺乏喜乐的膏油,我们势必疲惫、颓废。以喜乐的心侍奉神的人,证明他有顺服的心,他也就能因此高唱:“愿我走在你命令的道上,这正是欢乐的途径。”容我们问问自己——你是否乐意侍奉耶和华呢?让我们向世人——就是那些视我们信仰为奴隶制度的人表现出侍奉的喜乐和欢欣。让我们用喜悦的心证明,我们是侍奉一位良善的主人。

Evening, January 9

Scripture: “Serve the Lord with gladness.”(Psalm 100:2)

Delight in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent. Our God requires no slaves to grace his throne; he is the Lord of the empire of love, and would have his servants dressed in the livery of joy. The angels of God serve him with songs, not with groans; a murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in their ranks. That obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looketh at the heart, and if he seeth that we serve him from force, and not because we love him, he will reject our offering. Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service, and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eye and beaming face, singing, “It is sweet for one’s country to die,” proves himself to be sincere in his patriotism. Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong. It acts as the remover of difficulties. It is to our service what oil is to the wheels of a railway carriage. Without oil the axle soon grows hot, and accidents occur; and if there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness. The man who is cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is his element; he can sing,

“Make me to walk in thy commands,
’Tis a delightful road.”
Reader, let us put this question—do you serve the Lord with gladness? Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master.

《静夜亮光》一月八日

一月八日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0108.mp3″]

“你的爱情比酒更美。”(歌一2)

对信徒来说,没有一件事比与主交通更喜乐的了。虽然他也可以享受一般人的生活,他也会在神的恩典和作为中满心喜悦;但无论是神的恩赐或作为,或是两者的总和,都比不上主耶稣所带给他真正的喜乐。祂有美酒,是世上的葡萄园酿造不出的;祂的粮食,是埃及的禾田生产不来的。当我们尝过与主亲近的滋味后,那里还能再找到那种甘甜呢?这世界所带来的快乐,若与属天的吗哪相比,充其量不过是猪食的豆荚而已。我们宁可浅尝基督的爱,以及与祂相交的滋味,胜过尝遍世俗肉体的快乐。糠秕怎能与麦子相比呢?外表闪烁的假宝石怎能与真钻石相比呢?一场春梦与真实的荣耀岂能相较呢?即使人间最愉快的时光,若与我们主耶稣最卑微的光景相比,也毫无价值!你若了解人内在的生命,你就会承认我们最高、最深和最持久的喜乐必是由生命树上结出来的,这树只在神的乐园中生长。没有任何泉源能像神的井,流出如此甜美的活水来。地上的祝福不过是世界的尘埃,但基督同在的平安,就像祂自己,是属天的珍宝。只要察验我们与耶稣相交的光景,就会发觉它多么充实。其中的酒是如此香醇!主所带来的喜乐正是如此充实而耐久。虚浮的世人不能品尝它,但肯谨慎细心体会的人就能证实,主所带来的喜乐经得起岁月的考验,它总是及时而来;在浩淼无限的永世里,只有它能称得上是“唯一真正的喜乐”。不论是礼品、安慰、欢乐,是食物和美酒,都不能与主耶稣的爱相比。今夜,让我们畅饮这爱情美酒吧!

Evening, January 8

Scripture: “Thy love is better than wine.”(Song of Solomon 1:2)

Nothing gives the believer so much joy as fellowship with Christ. He has enjoyment as others have in the common mercies of life, he can be glad both in God’s gifts and God’s works; but in all these separately, yea, and in all of them added together, he doth not find such substantial delight as in the matchless person of his Lord Jesus. He has wine which no vineyard on earth ever yielded; he has bread which all the corn-fields of Egypt could never bring forth. Where can such sweetness be found as we have tasted in communion with our Beloved? In our esteem, the joys of earth are little better than husks for swine compared with Jesus, the heavenly manna. We would rather have one mouthful of Christ’s love, and a sip of his fellowship, than a whole world full of carnal delights. What is the chaff to the wheat? What is the sparkling paste to the true diamond? What is a dream to the glorious reality? What is time’s mirth, in its best trim, compared to our Lord Jesus in his most despised estate? If you know anything of the inner life, you will confess that our highest, purest, and most enduring joys must be the fruit of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. No spring yields such sweet water as that well of God which was digged with the soldier’s spear. All earthly bliss is of the earth earthy, but the comforts of Christ’s presence are like himself, heavenly. We can review our communion with Jesus, and find no regrets of emptiness therein; there are no dregs in this wine, no dead flies in this ointment. The joy of the Lord is solid and enduring. Vanity hath not looked upon it, but discretion and prudence testify that it abideth the test of years, and is in time and in eternity worthy to be called “the only true delight.” For nourishment, consolation, exhilaration, and refreshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Let us drink to the full this evening.

《静夜亮光》一月七日

一月七日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0107.mp3″]

“我妹子,我新妇。”(歌四12)

属天的所罗门,心中满怀爱情,甜密地呼唤着祂的新妇——教会。“我的妹子”——那亲近我,与我联结,并与我忧患与共的;“我的新妇”——是我最亲近与亲密的,祂用最柔细的爱索与我结连;是我甜蜜的伴侣;是我生命的一部分。我的妹子啊,因我道成肉身,你成为我骨中的骨,肉中的肉;我的新妇,借属天的婚配,我以公义聘你归我。我妹子,是我从亘古所认识的,也是我在她襁褓中就眷顾的;我的新妇,是从众童女中所拣选的,我用双手环抱她,作为永远属我的凭据。

请看我们这至尊的亲属竟不以我们为耻,在这双重亲密的关系中,祂喜悦与我同住。“我的”这二字在此段经文中共出现两次,似乎表明基督满心喜悦地与祂的产业——教会——同住。祂“喜悦住在世人之间”(箴八31),因为这些人是祂己拣选的。祂是寻找羊群的大牧人,因为他们是属祂的;祂四处“寻找拯救失丧的人”(路十九10),因为那些失丧的,不管是自己走迷或离祂而去的,本都是属祂的。教会是主独有的产业,无人声称拥有她,或假意要求分享她的爱情。哦,耶稣,你的教会因这关系满心喜悦,让每颗信靠你的心,从这泉源里吸取安慰。我的心哪!基督与你在婚姻的联合中,何等亲密!你在祂眼中,何等宝贵!看哪,祂正用自己的双手,紧握你的手,深情款款地对你说:“我妹子,我新妇。”祂双臂紧抱着你,将你拥在祂怀里,祂不能也不容你离去。亲爱的,切莫用迟疑的态度回报祂神圣的爱。

Evening, January 7

Scripture: “My sister, my spouse.”(Song of Solomon 4:12)

Observe the sweet titles with which the heavenly Solomon with intense affection addresses his bride the church. “My sister, one near to me by ties of nature, partaker of the same sympathies. My spouse, nearest and dearest, united to me by the tenderest bands of love; my sweet companion, part of my own self. My sister, by my Incarnation, which makes me bone of thy bone and flesh of thy flesh; my spouse, by heavenly betrothal, in which I have espoused thee unto myself in righteousness. My sister, whom I knew of old, and over whom I watched from her earliest infancy; my spouse, taken from among the daughters, embraced by arms of love, and affianced unto me for ever. See how true it is that our royal Kinsman is not ashamed of us, for he dwells with manifest delight upon this two-fold relationship. We have the word “my” twice in our version; as if Christ dwelt with rapture on his possession of his Church. “His delights were with the sons of men,” because those sons of men were his own chosen ones. He, the Shepherd, sought the sheep, because they were his sheep; he has gone about “to seek and to save that which was lost,” because that which was lost was his long before it was lost to itself or lost to him. The church is the exclusive portion of her Lord; none else may claim a partnership, or pretend to share her love. Jesus, thy church delights to have it so! Let every believing soul drink solace out of these wells. Soul! Christ is near to thee in ties of relationship; Christ is dear to thee in bonds of marriage union, and thou art dear to him; behold he grasps both of thy hands with both his own, saying, “My sister, my spouse.” Mark the two sacred holdfasts by which thy Lord gets such a double hold of thee that he neither can nor will ever let thee go. Be not, O beloved, slow to return the hallowed flame of his love.

《静夜亮光》一月六日

一月六日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/01/0106.mp3″]

经文: 晚上耶和华的灵(原文作手)降在我身上。(以西结书三十三:22)

在黑夜里受磨炼的不是只有你一人。但愿你能心诚意悦地降服在主的管教下,并且小心谨慎地竭力从中获益。主的手能使心灵得着力量,向永恒攀升。啊,愿我能亲身感受上帝的对付!上帝的同在与内往,使心灵如鹰展翅上腾升至天上。那时刻,我们将充满了属灵的喜乐,忘却世上的反应烦恼。当我们接近那眼不能见的事物时,可见的事物就失去了控制我们的力量。身躯虽如奴仆,静候在山麓;心灵却能自由地登上山巅,在主的面前敬拜祂。哦,但愿今晚赐我圣洁的时刻能与祢亲密相交!主知道我的需要!我的心凋萎,我的信心软弱,我的热情冷却了。这些皆成为祂医治的手必须降在我身上的理由。祂的手能冷却我额上火烧的热气,能平息我心中的搅扰。那荣耀的手创造了世界,也能更新我的心思意念。那永不疲倦的手支撑着地球的巨大柱子,也能托住我的心灵。那仁爱的手环抱着众圣徒,也能安抚我。那大能的手击败了敌人,也能征服我的罪孽。为了拯救我,耶稣的双手被刺透。曾经一度摸到但以理,使他下跪而得见上帝异象的手,我也必能心到它抚摸在我身上。

Evening, January 6

Scripture: “Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening.”(Ezekiel 33:22)

In the way of judgment this may be the case, and, if so, be it mine to consider the reason of such a visitation, and bear the rod and him that hath appointed it. I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me cheerfully submit to the affliction, and carefully endeavour to be profited thereby. But the hand of the Lord may also be felt in another manner, strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit upward towards eternal things. O that I may in this sense feel the Lord dealing with me! A sense of the divine presence and indwelling bears the soul towards heaven as upon the wings of eagles. At such times we are full to the brim with spiritual joy, and forget the cares and sorrows of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its power over us; servant-body waits at the foot of the hill, and the master-spirit worships upon the summit in the presence of the Lord. O that a hallowed season of divine communion may be vouchsafed to me this evening! The Lord knows that I need it very greatly. My graces languish, my corruptions rage, my faith is weak, my devotion is cold; all these are reasons why his healing hand should be laid upon me. His hand can cool the heat of my burning brow, and stay the tumult of my palpitating heart. That glorious right hand which moulded the world can new-create my mind; the unwearied hand which bears the earth’s huge pillars up can sustain my spirit; the loving hand which incloses all the saints can cherish me; and the mighty hand which breaketh in pieces the enemy can subdue my sins. Why should I not feel that hand touching me this evening? Come, my soul, address thy God with the potent plea, that Jesus’ hands were pierced for thy redemption, and thou shalt surely feel that same hand upon thee which once touched Daniel and set him upon his knees that he might see visions of God.