九月二十四日
我求王撥步兵馬兵幫助我們抵擋路上的仇敵，本以爲羞耻，因我曾對王說：“我們神施恩的手，必幫助一切尋求他的；但他的能力和忿怒，必攻擊一切離弃他的。”（拉8：22）
歸回的以色列人從各方面說都應當有軍兵護送他們，但怕辱沒神的羞耻心使以斯拉一個也不求。他怕外邦的王會因此想到他們所信的神是假的，或者以爲以色列人的神幷不能保佑敬拜他的人。這件事很清楚的是出于神，所以他的心絕沒有想到投靠血肉之軀的念頭。因此這一行人出發的時候，從外表看來沒有一個保護他們的人，但神卻護衛他們，他是他民的刀劍和盾牌。
很少有信徒能爲神的緣故發出這種神聖的羞惡之心，就是信心稍有根底的人也難免有時因爲求人的幫助而玷污了他們生活的光彩。不用什麽支援和倚靠之物，而只矗立于萬古磐石之上，靠主扶持的人是有福的。若信徒們想到他們求助于該撒就是羞辱主，還會再請求政府幫助他們的教會嗎？那不就等于說主不能供給他自己的需要嗎？若我們想到主因我們單單倚賴他的膀臂大得榮耀，我們還會急于尋求朋友和親戚的臂援嗎？
我的心哪！要單單等候神。有人說：“但是要用什麽方法呢？”當然有方法；我們的錯乃是常依靠方法，而不信靠神。有人太忽視人力，但有許多罪都是因爲太重視人力來的。親愛的讀者！要學會藉著不用什麽方法來榮耀神，若是用人的方法就羞辱了主的名。
“求神賜我們聖潔的羞惡之心。”
September
24
“For
I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us
against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The
hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His
wrath is against all them that forsake Him.” — Ezra 8:22
A convoy on many accounts would have been desirable for the pilgrim
band, but a holy shame-facedness would not allow Ezra to seek one. He feared
lest the heathen king should think his professions of faith in God to be mere
hypocrisy, or imagine that the God of Israel was not able to preserve His own
worshippers. He could not bring his mind to lean on an arm of flesh in a matter
so evidently of the Lord, and therefore the caravan set out with no visible
protection, guarded by Him who is the sword and shield of His people. It is to
be feared that few believers feel this holy jealousy for God; even those who in
a measure walk by faith, occasionally mar the lustre of their life by craving
aid from man. It is a most blessed thing to have no props and no buttresses,
but to stand upright on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone. Would any
believers seek state endowments for their Church, if they remembered that the
Lord is dishonoured by their asking Caesar’s aid? as if the Lord could not
supply the needs of His own cause! Should we run so hastily to friends and
relations for assistance, if we remembered that the Lord is magnified by our implicit
reliance upon His solitary arm? My soul, wait thou only upon God.
“But,” says one, “are not means to be used?” Assuredly they
are; but our fault seldom lies in their neglect: far more frequently it springs
out of foolishly believing in them instead of believing in God. Few run too far
in neglecting the creature’s arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much
of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by
using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord.
