四月二十四日
因这一切的事，我们立确实的约……（尼9:38）
在我们的经验中，虽然我们很正直，很顺利，但我们也常重新坚定与神所立的约。疾病痊愈之后，像希西家一样，我们的生命又得延续，我们应当与神重新立约。脱离任何困难之后，快乐重新回到我们心中的时候，我们当再回到十架之下，重新奉献我们自己，尤其是在犯了任何使圣灵担忧的罪之后应当这样，不然就是使神的名蒙羞。让我们仰望那使我们洁白如雪的血，再一次把我们献给主。我们不单在困难时当坚定我们对神的奉献，就是在顺适的时候也当如此。若是我们有“恩怜的冠冕”戴在头上的时候，那末，神既然使我们戴冠冕，我们也当以冠冕献给神；让我们把心中的一切珍宝当作冠冕重新拿来献给神，并让神坐在我们爱的宝座上，以荣耀与尊贵为装饰。若我们能从顺利兴盛中学会功课，得到益处，我们就不需要多受患难了。若我们会从亲嘴得到为我们所预备的一切好处，我们就不必常在刑杖之下了。近来我得到什么出乎我意料的福气吗？主把我们的脚放在康庄的大道上吗？我们能为这一切恩典歌颂欢呼吗？那末，今天就当把我们的手放在坛角上，并且说：“神哪！把我们拴在这里，用绳索永远把我捆绑在这里。”既然我们需要神成全他的新应许，我们就当献上我们的新祷告，免得我们的旧誓愿蒙羞。让我们今晨与他订立确实的约，因为在过去一月我们已经存著感恩的心思想到耶稣所受的痛苦。
April 24
“And because of all this we make a sure covenant.” –Nehemiah
9:38
There are many occasions in our experience when we may very rightly, and
with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from sickness when,
like Hezekiah, we have had a new term of years added to our life, we may fitly
do it. After any deliverance from trouble, when our joys bud forth anew, let us
again visit the foot of the cross, and renew our consecration. Especially, let
us do this after any sin which has grieved the Holy Spirit, or brought
dishonour upon the cause of God; let us then look to that blood which can make
us whiter than snow, and again offer ourselves unto the Lord. We should not
only let our troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should
do the same. If we ever meet with occasions which deserve to be called
“crowning mercies” then, surely, if He hath crowned us, we ought also
to crown our God; let us bring forth anew all the jewels of the divine regalia
which have been stored in the jewel-closet of our heart, and let our God sit
upon the throne of our love, arrayed in royal apparel. If we would learn to
profit by our prosperity, we should not need so much adversity. If we would
gather from a kiss all the good it might confer upon us, we should not so often
smart under the rod. Have we lately received some blessing which we little
expected? Has the Lord put our feet in a large room? Can we sing of mercies
multiplied? Then this is the day to put our hand upon the horns of the altar,
and say, “Bind me here, my God; bind me here with cords, even for
ever.” Inasmuch as we need the fulfillment of new promises from God, let
us offer renewed prayers that our old vows may not be dishonoured. Let us this
morning make with Him a sure covenant, because of the pains of Jesus which for
the last month we have been considering with gratitude.
