二月二十一日

主曾說……（來13:5）

若我們能用信抓住這三個字的意思，那末我們手中就有了一把所向無敵的利器了。哪有一種疑惑不被這一把兩刃的利劍斬得乾乾淨淨呢？哪有一種懼怕不被神約的弓上所發出的箭射落在地呢？當我們隱藏在“主曾說”的堡壘之下，一切生的苦、死的悲，裡面的敗壞、外面的陷阱，上面的試煉、下面的試探，不都成了至暫至輕的苦楚了嗎？是的，無論為平時的快樂，或是戰時的力量，我們都要依靠“主曾說”。這也叫我們知道查經的最大價值。或許在神的話中有一個應許正合你的需要，但也或許你不知道，因此你就失去了它的安慰。你像牢獄中的一個囚犯一樣，或許就在一串鑰匙當中有一把鑰匙可以把鐵門打開，你便可以恢復自由，但你若不去找它，雖然自由就在眼前，可是你仍然被囚在那裡。聖書之中或許有一種特效藥，可是你若不找不查聖書裡“主曾說”的是什麼，你便仍然臥病不起？你不應當在讀聖經之外，再把神的應許豐豐富富地儲藏在心中嗎？你能記住名士偉人的金玉良言，你會背誦騷人墨客的絕妙好詞，你不應當多知道神的話，好在你解決困難或是去掉疑惑時能隨意引用嗎？因為“主曾說”是一切智慧的來源，是安慰的泉源，是靈命的食糧，是生活的力量，所以要使它豐豐富富地住在你的心中，能像“活水的泉源，直湧到永生”，那末你屬靈的生活必然日漸康健、強壯而快樂。

February 21

"He hath said." --Hebrews 13:5

If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said." Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.