七月二十九日
然而我常與你同在。（詩73：23）
“然而”——好像是說，詩人不管他向神所承認的一切愚昧和無知怎樣，他的得救幷蒙悅納是千真萬確的，神面前的一切福分，無疑也都是他的。他深知自己的敗壞和失喪，但是因著信心，他才光榮地喊道：“然而我常與你同在。”信徒啊！你不能不和亞薩一樣地坦白承認已罪，你也要和他一樣地高呼：“然而，我既屬基督，我就常與神同在！”這就是說我們常在他的心中，他常想到我們，爲我們的益處著想。常在他的眼中，神的眼永不打盹，常爲我們的福分眷顧我們。常在他的手中，這樣仇敵便不能把我們奪去。常在他的懷中爲記念，正如大祭司永遠把十二支派的名字就在自己的胸上一樣。神啊！你常顧念我們。你的慈愛常常環繞我們。你常爲我們的益處打算。你把我們放在你的手臂上爲印記；你的愛比死更强，是衆水所不能消滅的，是大水所不能淹沒的。
奇妙的恩典！你不看我們的可憎，你乃是在基督裏面看我們，看我們已經穿上基督的義袍，在他的血中洗淨；因此我們得以在你面前蒙悅納，因此我們常在你的恩典裏——“常與你同在”。這是受苦受難之人的安慰，內心雖有風浪——外面却仍平靜如常。你要在心中說“然而”，幷要得到這話所給你的安慰。“然而我常與你同在。”
“我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。”
July 29
"Nevertheless I am continually with Thee." --
Psalm 73:23
"Nevertheless,"--As
if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been
confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was
saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence
was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the
deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith,
he sings "nevertheless I am continually with Thee." Believer, you are
forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like
spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually
with God!" By this is meant continually upon His mind, He is always
thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eye;--the eye of the Lord
never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in His
hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on His heart,
worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve
tribes upon his heart for ever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels
of Thy love continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence
work for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is
strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it.
Surprising grace! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, Thou
beholdest me as wearing Christ's garments, and washed in His blood, and thus I
stand accepted in Thy presence. I am thus continually in Thy
favour--"continually with Thee." Here is comfort for the tried and
afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within--look at the calm without.
"Nevertheless"--O say it in thy heart, and take the peace it gives.
"Nevertheless I am continually with Thee."
7月29日清晨甘露