七月二十五日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/07/0725.mp3″]
经文: 他们在急难的时候，必切切寻求我。（何西阿书五：15）
伟大的牧者常常利用损失和反对将徘徊的羊领回家中。它们如同凶猛的犬类，驱赶迷途羔羊返回羊栏。过份喂饱的狮子是不能被驯服的，必先软弱下来，才能在驯兽师的手下驯服。基督徒只有在吃干面包和服艰辛之役，才能常常顺服于主的旨意之下。当财富增加时，许多信徒昂首阔步，高谈阔论。他们像大卫一样自己谄媚地说：“我永不动摇。”（诗三十：6）当基督徒富有了，朋友围绕他，他有健康的身体，有快乐的家庭，也常会容许“肉体安全先生”与他一同坐席。倘若他真是上帝的儿子，上帝会为他预备一根杖。他的财富会如梦般消失。他的地产失去了，田产瞬间易手了！他的损失快速滚来！它们的结局在何处？当这些困窘发生时，他开始为自己的背道忧伤，转回向上帝，这是上帝要祝福他的记号。波涛将水手冲至救恩的岩石上，这是何等的福气啊！事业上的损失往往是为了我们灵命的丰富。蒙拣选的灵魂若不能双手富足地到主面前，也能空手来就主。在财富的颠峰上，倘若我们不能荣耀祂，祂将容许我们进入穷困的谷中。然而，当你受谴责时，忧愁的人哪，不要灰心。反之，认清管教你的是一双爱的手，那时，你要像浪子一般说：“我要起来，到我父亲那里去。”（路十五：18）
Evening, July 25
Scripture: “In their affliction they will seek me early.”(Hosea 5:15)
Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to fetch home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer’s hand; and often have we seen the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord’s will by straitness of bread and hard labour. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their heads much too loftily, and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they flatter themselves, “My mountain standeth fast; I shall never be moved.” When the Christian groweth wealthy, is in good repute, hath good health, and a happy family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table, and then if he be a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile, and it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate－how soon the acres change hands. That debt, that dishonoured bill－how fast his losses roll in, where will they end? It is a blessed sign of divine life if when these embarrassments occur one after another he begins to be distressed about his backslidings, and betakes himself to his God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul’s enriching. If the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If God, in his grace, findeth no other means of making us honour him among men, he will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honour him on the pinnacle of riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet faint not, heir of sorrow, when thou art thus rebuked, rather recognize the loving hand which chastens, and say, “I will arise, and go unto my Father.”