June 21

"It was noised that he was in the house." (Mark 2:1)

The polyps which construct the coral reefs, work away under water, never dreaming that they are building the foundation of a new island on which, by-and-by, plants and animals will live and children of God be born and fitted for eternal glory as joint-heirs of Christ.

If your place in God's ranks is a hidden and secluded¹ one, beloved, do not murmur², do not complain, do not seek to get out of God's will, if He has placed you there; for without the polyps, the coral reefs would never be built, and God needs some who are willing to be spiritual polyps, and work away out of sight of men, but sustained by the Holy Ghost and in full view of Heaven.

The day will come when Jesus will give the rewards, and He makes no mistakes, although some people may wonder how you came to merit such a reward, as they had never heard of you before. --Selected.

Just where you stand in the conflict,

There is your place.

Just where you think you are useless,

Hide not your face.

God placed you there for a purpose,

Whate'er it be;

Think He has chosen you for it;

Work loyally.

Gird on your armor! Be faithful

At toil³ or rest!

Whate'er it be, never doubting

God's way is best.

Out in the fight or on picket⁴,

Stand firm and true;

This is the work which your Master

Gives you to do. --Selected.

Safely we may leave the crowded meeting, the inspiring mountain top, the helpful fellowship of "just men," and betake ourselves to our dim homely⁵ Emmaus, or to our dread⁶ public Colossae, or even to our far Macedonia in the mission field, quietly confident that just where He has placed us, in the usual round of life, He ordains⁷ that the borderland may be possessed⁸, the victory won. --Northcote Deck.　

六月二十一日

“人听见他在房子里”（可二：1）。

　　构成礁石的珊瑚虫，勤勤劳劳地在水底下工作着，从来没有梦想到他们正在建立一个新的海岛；在这个岛上，渐渐地会长了植物又住了动物，和神的儿女们，他们就是做基督的后嗣，享受永世的荣耀。

　　亲爱的，如果现在神给你的地位是一个隐藏的，幽闭的，没有人知道的，不要怨恨，不要忧愁；如果神将你放在那里的，总不要希图走出神的旨意之外；因为没有珊瑚虫，就永不会有礁石建立起来；神需要一些乐意作属灵珊瑚虫的人；他们的工作，虽没有人发觉，可是他们有圣灵的扶持，和属天的亮光。

　　那日子将到，主耶稣要施行赏罚；他决不会弄错；那时，有些人因为从来没有听到过，你便会诧异：你怎样也得到这么大的赏赐！——选

你所站立的战斗场地，

就是你应有的岗位，

你虽不觉得它的作用，

心中切莫失望烦腻。

神把你安放在那里，

总有目的和道理，

他既选中你去担当，

你必须忠心奋斗到底。

穿上铠甲，拿起武器，

始终保持忠义，

无论在休息或苦斗，

从不怀疑他美意。

你出去放哨或作战，

要坚定，要百折不回，

这一份任务和工作，

是神给你的差遣。

　　也许神要我们离去一个弟兄姊妹众多的聚会，一个最能给我们生气的山顶，一些有帮助的义人的交通，而回到平庸的以马忤斯去，或者到世俗的歌罗西去，或者竟到遥远的马其顿去，我们应当大着胆深信：神无论将我们放在什么地方，他早已命定那地方的胜利，会给我们获得。——德克

1 secluded   

adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• Some people like to strip themselves naked while they have a swim in a secluded place. 一些人当他们在隐蔽的地方游泳时，喜欢把衣服脱光。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This charming cottage dates back to the 15th century and is as pretty as a picture, with its thatched roof and secluded garden. 这所美丽的村舍是15世纪时的建筑，有茅草房顶和宁静的花园，漂亮极了，简直和画上一样。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 murmur   

n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言

参考例句：

• They paid the extra taxes without a murmur.他们毫无怨言地交了附加税。
• There was a low murmur of conversation in the hall.大厅里有窃窃私语声。

3 toil   

vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事

参考例句：

• The wealth comes from the toil of the masses.财富来自大众的辛勤劳动。
• Every single grain is the result of toil.每一粒粮食都来之不易。

4 picket   

n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫

参考例句：

• They marched to the factory and formed a picket.他们向工厂前进,并组成了纠察队。
• Some of the union members did not want to picket.工会的一些会员不想担任罢工纠察员。

5 homely   

adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的

参考例句：

• We had a homely meal of bread and cheese.我们吃了一顿面包加乳酪的家常便餐。
• Come and have a homely meal with us,will you?来和我们一起吃顿家常便饭，好吗？

6 dread   

vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧

参考例句：

• We all dread to think what will happen if the company closes.我们都不敢去想一旦公司关门我们该怎么办。
• Her heart was relieved of its blankest dread.她极度恐惧的心理消除了。

7 ordains   

v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的第三人称单数 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定

参考例句：

• The festival ordains the Jains to observe the ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. 盛典命令耆那教徒日常遵守十大美德。 来自互联网

8 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。