第三十八周 永远之光
“所见的是暂时的，所不见的是永远的。”（林后4:18）
诗：天上因祂照明亮，我心接受彼光芒；
子民欢乐同瞻仰，万物欣欣浴荣光。
我越来越觉得，什么都是虚空，但也感到那永远的事物，这些事物我们大家都晓得，请想看，当我们与万福之主相遇时，那一切在永远的事物之外的东西，将会显得多么虚空失色！
我自承是一个无用的工人，但我知道如果时候将到，而记忆尚存的话，那么唯一值得记忆的事，除了永远的恩典及其源头，就是主自己之外，那必是为着爱我们的主而有的事奉与劳苦。
时候将到，对到我们己往的生活工作，凡是没有基督的，我们必定说：“那些都是亏损了。”
信心中有慧眼，能看穿肉眼所看不见的。一切事物，都是在永世才能判定其真价值。信心明亮，就能预见。
当我们遇见主的时候，我们就不会因曾有牺牲而悲哀了。
但愿主赐恩，兴起更多工人，去收他的庄稼。我的心若不是思想着在天的基督（藉恩我的心将永远在天），就是萦念这件事，我已更多觉悟那看不见的事物，知道他们是更真实……我不能想像有什么东西，能转移我的心思到别的事上。
如果我们活着是专为事奉基督，就世界上一切忧患，都是值得忍受的，神的祝福会赐下，鼓舞并带我们这来，但无论如何，忧患本身不会减少。
不要丧胆……我们若是真正为主作工，多少总有争战，也有试炼与忧患；因为如果这是爱心，忍耐，并盼望的工作，那么也就是信心的工作，虽然一路都可能看见蒙福的果子，也有许多果子成熟，但将来的大收成，才是大喜乐的日子。对于这一点，我们若在心中有清楚的远见，或与此有相关的认识，就能叫我们今天的工作，像主自己的工作那样，在性质上，能实际透彻与圣洁并且到那一天，必定都证实出来。如果你要在那天欢乐收获，你必须在忧患中作工，因为今天的环境恶劣，即使庄稼已捆扎，然而在田中还欠保障，我们必须留心照顾看管，直到收入仓内，不能歇工。
新造无比喜乐，闪亮今世暗境；纯金美地福乐，圣徒永远居停。
罗得看见了一片滋润的平原，且有一痤城，于是渐渐都移帐棚，住在那里，结果就落在审判之中；亚伯拉罕是寻打一座看不见的城，所以他无论去那里，都是享受神的祝福，并得着神同在的安慰。
哦，何等福乐，等到所有若难和争战过去时，我们都要在他的形状里醒过来。信徒们哪，在这里一想想与主耶稣相见时，岂不是叫我们的心跳跃喜乐么？岂没有理由叫我们鄙视世界，和世界上所有无意义的快乐么？
但愿支配我们的是主自己和祂的爱情，并祂的称许，而不是那些要朽坏的东西。
THIRTY-EIGHTH WEEK THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY
“The things that are seen (are) for a time, but those that are not seen eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (New Translation)
There all’s unsullied light;
My heart lets in its rays:
And heavenly light
Makes all things bright
Seen in that blissful gaze.
I feel … more than ever that all is vanity, but what is for ever. We all know it, but how foolish all else will seem when we meet the blessed Lord.
I know I am a poor workman, but I know the hour will come when the only thing worth remembering—save eternal grace and Him who is the source … of it—if memory it can then be called, will be service and labour for Him who has loved us.
The time will soon come when we shall say of all that has not been Christ in our lives and ways, “That was all lost.”
Faith should pierce through and see the things that are not seen: things get their true value in another world, and faith when vivid sees them there.
We shall sorrow at no sacrifice when we meet Him.
May the Lord graciously raise up labourers in His harvest. My heart is only there when not with Christ in heaven—there where through grace it will ever be. I find all that is not seen ever more, and alone, real. … I cannot conceive of having the heart anywhere else.
If we live to serve Christ, the sorrow of this world is worth while; but it is not the less sorrow in itself, whatever blessing may cheer us through it.
Do not faint … for if we really labour we must be more or less in conflict, trial and sorrow; for it is a work of faith, if a labour of love and of patience of hope; because though blessed fruits be by the way, and we may see them ripening, it is the great ingathering is the time of joy. And it is a distinct view and reference to that which gives our work a real, deep, holy character, such as His was, and will prove real in that day. You must labour in sorrow, for it is in the midst of evil, if you would reap in joy; and if we get our corn up into shocks, still it is unprotected out in the field, and we have the watchful care and anxiety till it is housed.
The new creation’s stainless joy
Gleams through the present gloom;
That world of bliss without alloy—
The saint’s eternal home.
Lot saw a well watered plain and a city, and then dwelt in it on the earth, and consequently was in the midst of judgment; while Abraham sought a city out of sight, and he enjoyed the blessing and comfort of God being with him, go where he might.
Oh, the blessedness! when after all troubles and conflicts are over we shall “awake in his likeness.” Believers, is there nothing in this to quicken your joy in meeting Jesus. Is there nothing in this to throw contempt upon the world and its unmeaning joys?
May the Lord’s love and approbation be the things that govern us, and not the things that fade away.