September 11

"And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise" (Heb. 6:15).

Abraham was long tried, but he was richly rewarded. The Lord tried him by delaying to fulfill¹ His promise. Satan tried him by temptation; men tried him by jealousy², distrust, and opposition³; Sarah tried him by her peevishness⁴. But he patiently endured. He did not question God's veracity⁵, nor limit His power, nor doubt His faithfulness, nor grieve His love; but he bowed to Divine Sovereignty, submitted to Infinite Wisdom, and was silent under delays, waiting the Lord's time. And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

God's promises cannot fail of their accomplishment⁶. Patient waiters cannot be disappointed. Believing expectation shall be realized.

Beloved, Abraham's conduct condemns⁷ a hasty spirit, reproves a murmuring one, commends a patient one, and encourages quiet submission⁸ to God's will and way. Remember, Abraham was tried; he patiently waited; he received the promise, and was satisfied. Imitate his example, and you will share the same blessing⁹.—Selected

九月十一日

「这样，亚伯拉罕既恒久忍耐，就得了所应许的。」（来六15）

读者，亚伯拉罕所受的试验极久，但是他所得到的酬报却极厚。神用迁延应许的方法试验他，撒但用诱惑试验他；世人用嫉妒、怀疑、反对、；试验他撒拉用乖戾的性情试验他。但是他却恒久忍耐。他并不质问神的诚实，也不限制神的权力；他不怀疑神的信实，也不伤忧神的慈心；但向神圣的君王俯伏、绝对信任祂的智慧。虽然神迁延日久，他却并不作声，只安安心心地等待神的时候。这样，他既恒久忍耐，就得了所应许的。

神的应许，是不能不完成的。忍耐的等候者，是不能失望的。信心的盼望，终必实现。亲爱的，亚伯拉罕的德行，眞叫急躁的人受羞愧，叫出怨言的人受谴责，叫忍耐的人得揄扬，叫安心顺服神旨的人得鼓励。请你记得，亚伯拉罕曾受过试验，曾恒久等候，曾得了所应许的，而心满意足了。你当效法他的榜样，这样，你将要享受到同样的祝福。－－选

1 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

2 jealousy   

n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌

参考例句：

• Some women have a disposition to jealousy.有些女人生性爱妒忌。
• I can't support your jealousy any longer.我再也无法忍受你的嫉妒了。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 peevishness   

脾气不好；爱发牢骚

参考例句：

• Timid people always wreak their peevishness on the gentle. 怯懦的人总是把满腹牢骚向温和的人发泄。 来自辞典例句
• Be gentle In old age; peevishness are worse second childhood than In first. 老来要和蔼；第二幼年期的乖戾暴躁，更有甚于第一期。 来自互联网

5 veracity   

n.诚实

参考例句：

• I can testify to this man's veracity and good character.我可以作证，此人诚实可靠品德良好。
• There is no reason to doubt the veracity of the evidence.没有理由怀疑证据的真实性。

6 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

7 condemns   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• Her widowhood condemns her to a lonely old age. 守寡使她不得不过着孤独的晚年生活。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The public opinion condemns prostitution. 公众舆论遣责卖淫。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 submission   

n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出

参考例句：

• The defeated general showed his submission by giving up his sword.战败将军缴剑表示投降。
• No enemy can frighten us into submission.任何敌人的恐吓都不能使我们屈服。

9 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。