2016年3月4日
按著祂的時間 For His Time
读经: 雅各書1章2-4節
Reading: James 1:2-4
我終身的事在祢手中。-詩篇31篇15節
My times are in your hands.- Psalm 31:15
全年读经: 民數記31-33章;馬可福音9章1-29節
Bible in a Year: Numbers 31–33; Mark 9:1-29
南非牧師慕安德烈曾在1895年造訪英格蘭。當時他深受背部舊傷復發之苦，在等待康復期間，接待他的女主人告訴他，有位姐妹正面對極大的困難，希望得到他的輔導。慕安德烈說：「把這張紙拿給她，上面我寫了一些話語來激勵自己，或許對她有幫助。」紙上這樣寫道：
「在面對患難時，我告訴自己：
首先，上帝讓我遭遇困境，這既然是祂的心意，我就安穩歇息。
接著，祂會保守我在祂的愛中，並在試煉中賜給我恩典，保守我行事為人合乎祂兒女的身分。
然後，祂會將試煉化為祝福，從中教導我當學的功課，以祂的恩典造就我。
最後，祂會按照祂所定的時刻，帶領我離開這困境。至於會以什麼方式，什麼時候，唯有祂知道。
我在這裡，順從祂的心意、得蒙祂的保守、接受祂的訓練、按著祂的時間。」
很多時候，我們都想要問題立刻解決、困難馬上消除，但有些事就是必須循序漸進，按部就班來完成，我們只能接受。但上帝會以祂的慈愛保守我們，並藉著祂的恩典，使我們能在祂裡面安穩歇息。
親愛的主啊，病痛和苦難的日子艱辛難熬。
求祢安慰我，並幫助我信靠祢。
上帝允許痛苦臨到，也同時賜下安慰。
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When South African pastor Andrew Murray was visiting England in 1895, he began to suffer pain from a previous back injury. While he was recuperating, his hostess told him of a woman who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any counsel for her. Murray said, "Give her this paper which I have been writing for my own [encouragement]. It may be that she will find it helpful." This is what Murray wrote:
"In time of trouble say:
First—God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.
Next—He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.
Then—He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last—In His good time He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.
I am here—by God's appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time."
We want the instant solution, the quick fix, but some things cannot be disposed of so readily; they can only be accepted. God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.
Dear Lord, it's hard to endure times of illness and suffering. Comfort me and help me to trust You.
When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.