四月二十四日

因這一切的事，我們立確實的約……（尼9:38）

在我們的經驗中，雖然我們很正直，很順利，但我們也常重新堅定與神所立的約。疾病痊癒之後，像希西家一樣，我們的生命又得延續，我們應當與神重新立約。脫離任何困難之後，快樂重新回到我們心中的時候，我們當再回到十架之下，重新奉獻我們自己，尤其是在犯了任何使聖靈擔憂的罪之後應當這樣，不然就是使神的名蒙羞。讓我們仰望那使我們潔白如雪的血，再一次把我們獻給主。我們不單在困難時當堅定我們對神的奉獻，就是在順適的時候也當如此。若是我們有“恩憐的冠冕”戴在頭上的時候，那末，神既然使我們戴冠冕，我們也當以冠冕獻給神；讓我們把心中的一切珍寶當作冠冕重新拿來獻給神，並讓神坐在我們愛的寶座上，以榮耀與尊貴為裝飾。若我們能從順利興盛中學會功課，得到益處，我們就不需要多受患難了。若我們會從親嘴得到為我們所預備的一切好處，我們就不必常在刑杖之下了。近來我得到什麼出乎我意料的福氣嗎？主把我們的腳放在康莊的大道上嗎？我們能為這一切恩典歌頌歡呼嗎？那末，今天就當把我們的手放在壇角上，並且說：“神哪！把我們拴在這裡，用繩索永遠把我捆綁在這裡。”既然我們需要神成全他的新應許，我們就當獻上我們的新禱告，免得我們的舊誓願蒙羞。讓我們今晨與他訂立確實的約，因為在過去一月我們已經存著感恩的心思想到耶穌所受的痛苦。

April 24

"And because of all this we make a sure covenant." --Nehemiah 9:38

There are many occasions in our experience when we may very rightly, and with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from sickness when, like Hezekiah, we have had a new term of years added to our life, we may fitly do it. After any deliverance from trouble, when our joys bud forth anew, let us again visit the foot of the cross, and renew our consecration. Especially, let us do this after any sin which has grieved the Holy Spirit, or brought dishonour upon the cause of God; let us then look to that blood which can make us whiter than snow, and again offer ourselves unto the Lord. We should not only let our troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do the same. If we ever meet with occasions which deserve to be called "crowning mercies" then, surely, if He hath crowned us, we ought also to crown our God; let us bring forth anew all the jewels of the divine regalia which have been stored in the jewel-closet of our heart, and let our God sit upon the throne of our love, arrayed in royal apparel. If we would learn to profit by our prosperity, we should not need so much adversity. If we would gather from a kiss all the good it might confer upon us, we should not so often smart under the rod. Have we lately received some blessing which we little expected? Has the Lord put our feet in a large room? Can we sing of mercies multiplied? Then this is the day to put our hand upon the horns of the altar, and say, "Bind me here, my God; bind me here with cords, even for ever." Inasmuch as we need the fulfillment of new promises from God, let us offer renewed prayers that our old vows may not be dishonoured. Let us this morning make with Him a sure covenant, because of the pains of Jesus which for the last month we have been considering with gratitude.