七月二十四日

只管站住！看耶和華今天向你們所要施行的救恩。（出14：13）

這些話是神在信徒受到大難和危困之時所給他們的命令。信徒在進退維谷、左右兩難，上天無路、入地無門之時該怎麽辦呢？主向他說：“只管站住！”遇到這種情形，他應當專心聽主的話，因爲別人和惡者也必前來說長道短，以致衆說紛紜，莫衷一是。絕望對你說：“躺下等死吧，拉倒吧！”但神却願我們高高興興地鼓起勇氣來，就是在最危難的時候，也當以他的慈愛和信實爲樂。怯懦對他說：“回來吧，再回到世俗裏；你不能作一個基督徒，那太難了。改變你的主意吧！”但是，無論撒但怎樣用可咒的話勸你，若你是神的孩子，就不當聽從它。他叫你力上加力，奮勇向前，那末死亡或地獄是絕不會使你轉離正路的。

若你遵命暫時站住，等到合宜的時候，你必能重新得力，大得進展。鹵莽說道：“你要發奮，有所作爲才行，站住等待，乃是懶惰人的行徑。”我們必須立即有所作爲——我們一想到就當這樣作——我們乃要仰望那爲我們行作一切事的神。妄想誇口說：“若大海當前，也要走上去，因爲必有神迹出現。”但是信心既不聽妄想，也不聽絕望、怯懦和鹵莽的話，乃要聽神的話說“只管站住”，像磐石一樣穩固不移，“只管站住”，挺身昂首立正站直，準備行動，聽候號令，歡喜忍耐地等候神的指示；不久神必向你說話，正像摩西清清楚楚地對以色列人說：“往前走！”

“……主尊名總不怕認，雖因主受辱極甚，榮耀主是你本分，往前走。”

July 24

"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." -- Exodus 14:13

These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles." But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once--we must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle." But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand still," and immovable as a rock it stands. "Stand still";--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."