December 27

“His soul entered into iron” (Ps. 105:18)

Turn that about and render it in our language, and it reads thus, "Iron entered his soul." Is there not a truth in this? That sorrow and privation, the yoke¹ borne in the youth, the soul's enforced restraint, are all conducive² to an iron tenacity³ and strength of purpose, and endurance or fortitude⁴, which are the indispensable foundation and framework of a noble character.

Do not flinch⁵ from suffering; bear it silently, patiently, resignedly; and be sure that it is God's way of infusing iron into your spiritual life. The world wants iron dukes, iron battalions⁶, iron sinews, and thews of steel. God wants iron saints; and since there is no way of imparting iron to the moral nature but by letting people suffer, He lets them suffer.

Are the best years of your life slipping away in enforced monotony? Are you beset⁷ by opposition⁸, misunderstanding, and scorn, as the thick undergrowth besets⁹ the passage of the woodsman pioneer? Then take heart; the time is not wasted; God is only putting you through the iron regimen. The iron crown of suffering precedes the golden crown of glory. And iron is entering into your soul to make it strong and brave. ━F. B. Meyer

“But you will not mind the roughness nor the steepness of the way,

Nor the chill, unrested morning, nor the searness of the day;

And you will not take a turning to the left or the right,

But go straight ahead, nor tremble at the coming of the night,

For the road leads home.”

十二月二十七日

“他的魂被铁捆拘。” （诗一百零五:18直译）

我们的悲哀、困难、铁轭、束缚，好似一个铁圈，把我们紧紧围住。它们替我们造出力量来、忍耐来、刚毅来。

　　信徒啊，不要逃避苦难；安安静静、忍忍耐耐、顺顺服服地忍受着；要知到这是神泡制你的方法。世界喜欢铁血将军；神喜欢铁血圣徒。除了让我们受苦以外，没有别的方法可以把我们制成铁血圣徒；所以神只得忍痛让我们受苦。

　　亲爱的，你觉得一生最好的年日在沙漠生活中虚渡了么？你是不是正被反对、误会、侮蔑…等围困呢？振起精神来，你现在所花的时间并不是虚度的；神叫你经过铁的训练。荣耀的金冠冕之前，必有苦难的铁冠冕。

━梅尔

你不會介意路途的不平或艱險,

也不會介意寒冷莫測的早晨,

更不會介意白晝的炎熱難堪；

你不會向左或向右轉彎,

只是勇往直前,不怕黑夜來臨,

因為這條路通往家門。

1 yoke   

n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶

参考例句：

• An ass and an ox,fastened to the same yoke,were drawing a wagon.驴子和公牛一起套在轭上拉车。
• The defeated army passed under the yoke.败军在轭门下通过。

2 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

3 tenacity   

n.坚韧

参考例句：

• Tenacity is the bridge to success.坚韧是通向成功的桥。
• The athletes displayed great tenacity throughout the contest.运动员在比赛中表现出坚韧的斗志。

4 fortitude   

n.坚忍不拔；刚毅

参考例句：

• His dauntless fortitude makes him absolutely fearless.他不屈不挠的坚韧让他绝无恐惧。
• He bore the pain with great fortitude.他以极大的毅力忍受了痛苦。

5 flinch   

v.畏缩，退缩

参考例句：

• She won't flinch from speaking her mind.她不会讳言自己的想法。
• We will never flinch from difficulties.我们面对困难决不退缩。

6 battalions   

n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍

参考例句：

• God is always on the side of the strongest battalions. 上帝总是帮助强者。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Two battalions were disposed for an attack on the air base. 配置两个营的兵力进攻空军基地。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 beset   

v.镶嵌；困扰，包围

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• The plan was beset with difficulties from the beginning.这项计划自开始就困难重重。

8 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。

9 besets   

v.困扰( beset的第三人称单数 )；不断围攻；镶；嵌

参考例句：