March 7

"We are troubled on every side." (2 Cor. 7:5)

Why should God have to lead us thus, and allow the pressure to be so hard and constant? Well, in the first place, it shows His all-sufficient strength and grace much better than if we were exempt¹ from pressure and trial. "The treasure is in earthen vessels², that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

It makes us more conscious of our dependence³ upon Him. God is constantly trying to teach us our dependence, and to hold us absolutely in His hand and hanging upon His care.

This was the place where Jesus Himself stood and where He wants us to stand, not with self-constituted strength, but with a hand ever leaning upon His, and a trust that dare not take one step alone. It teaches us trust.

There is no way of learning faith except by trial. It is God's school of faith, and it is far better for us to learn to trust God than to enjoy life.

The lesson of faith once learned, is an everlasting⁴ acquisition and an eternal fortune made; and without trust even riches will leave us poor. --Days of Heaven upon Earth.

"Why must I weep when others sing?

'To test the deeps of suffering.'

Why must I work while others rest?

'To spend my strength at God's request.'

Why must I lose while others gain?

'To understand defeat's sharp pain.'

Why must this lot of life be mine

When that which fairer seems is thine?

'Because God knows what plans for me

Shall blossom in eternity⁵.'"

　 三月七日

“我们…周围遭患难”（林后七：5）。

　　为什么神这样带领我们，应许患难一直临到我们？第一，神够用的恩典和能力可以彰显得完全，远胜在安逸中。“我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，要显明这莫大的能力，是出于神，不是出于我们”（林后四：7）。

　　第二，患难使我们更依靠神。神一直在教导我们依靠他，让他把我们紧握在手中，把所有的难处交给他，由他照顾。

　　第三，主自己曾站过那“四围遭患难”之地，今天他也要我们去经历；并不用自己的力，乃是一直用手拉住他依靠他不敢独自跨前一步。用以训练我们的信心。

　　第四，除了在患难中，没有别的地方可以学习信心的功课。四周遭患难之地是神所设立的信心学校，在那里我们受到信心的训练。

　　信心的秘诀一次学会，就永远会了，并且是一个永远的幸福；有信，贫穷变为富足；没有信，富足也是贫穷。——译自地上的天上生活

别人欢唱，我为何悲哭？

“为了探测苦海的深度。”

别人休息，我为何工作？

“为了出力完成神的吩咐。”

别人获得，我为何损失？

“为了体验失败的惨痛。”

美好的幸福为你所有，

为何厄运偏纠缠我，自朝至暮？

“因为神知道如此的安排，

将使我在永恒中获得无上丰富。”

1 exempt   

adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者

参考例句：

• These goods are exempt from customs duties.这些货物免征关税。
• He is exempt from punishment about this thing.关于此事对他已免于处分。

2 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 dependence   

n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属

参考例句：

• Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
• He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。

4 everlasting   

adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的

参考例句：

• These tyres are advertised as being everlasting.广告上说轮胎持久耐用。
• He believes in everlasting life after death.他相信死后有不朽的生命。

5 eternity   

n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷

参考例句：

• The dull play seemed to last an eternity.这场乏味的剧似乎演个没完没了。
• Finally,Ying Tai and Shan Bo could be together for all of eternity.英台和山伯终能双宿双飞，永世相随。