五月七日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/05/0507.mp3″]
经文: 耶稣对他说，起来，拿你的褥子走吧。（约翰福音五：8）
这个残废的人像其他许多类似的病人一样，长久期待微兆的出现，神迹的发生。他疲惫地观望着池水，却没有天使来帮助他。但是想到这是他唯一可得痊愈的机会，他就一直等待下去。他并不知道身旁就有一位，藉祂的话即时就能治愈。许多人有同样的问题──他们在等待一些超凡的感情，特别的印象，甚或天体的异象，可惜他们是空等了。特别的记号是少见的，虽然有，但也没有权利去找寻。令人忧愁的是成千上万的人却仍然在等待，利用他们的宗教、誓言，和决心，仍然在白费心机。同时，这些可怜的灵魂却忘记了救主，然而祂却是要他们仰望祂自己以至得救。祂能使他们立即痊愈，但他们却情愿等待天使和奇迹。信靠祂是蒙祝福的正确途径。祂配得我们的绝对信任。但是不信使人情愿到毕士大的廊下，而不到祂大爱的胸怀中。但愿今晚主转眼看顾那些处于这种情况下的人。愿祂饶恕他们对祂大能的疑惑，以甜蜜的声音呼唤他们从绝望的褥子上起来。藉信心的能力，让他们拿起自己的褥子起来行走。主啊！在这夕阳西下的宁静时刻，求听我们的祈求。在新的一日破晓以前，愿我们都能仰望祢而活。
Evening, May 7
Scripture: “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”(John 5:8)
Like many others, the impotent man had been waiting for a wonder to be wrought, and a sign to be given. Wearily did he watch the pool, but no angel came, or came not for him; yet, thinking it to be his only chance, he waited still, and knew not that there was One near him whose word could heal him in a moment. Many are in the same plight: they are waiting for some singular emotion, remarkable impression, or celestial vision; they wait in vain and watch for nought. Even supposing that, in a few cases, remarkable signs are seen, yet these are rare, and no man has a right to look for them in his own case; no man especially who feels his impotency to avail himself of the moving of the water even if it came. It is a very sad reflection that tens of thousands are now waiting in the use of means, and ordinances, and vows, and resolutions, and have so waited time out of mind, in vain, utterly in vain. Meanwhile these poor souls forget the present Saviour, who bids them look unto him and be saved. He could heal them at once, but they prefer to wait for an angel and a wonder. To trust him is the sure way to every blessing, and he is worthy of the most implicit confidence; but unbelief makes them prefer the cold porches of Bethesda to the warm bosom of his love. O that the Lord may turn his eye upon the multitudes who are in this case to-night; may he forgive the slights which they put upon his divine power, and call them by that sweet constraining voice, to rise from the bed of despair, and in the energy of faith take up their bed and walk. O Lord, hear our prayer for all such at this calm hour of sunset, and ere the day breaketh may they look and live.
Courteous reader, is there anything in this portion for you?