九月二十四日
我求王拨步兵马兵帮助我们抵挡路上的仇敌，本以爲羞耻，因我曾对王说：“我们神施恩的手，必帮助一切寻求他的；但他的能力和忿怒，必攻击一切离弃他的。”（拉8：22）
归回的以色列人从各方面说都应当有军兵护送他们，但怕辱没神的羞耻心使以斯拉一个也不求。他怕外邦的王会因此想到他们所信的神是假的，或者以爲以色列人的神幷不能保佑敬拜他的人。这件事很清楚的是出于神，所以他的心绝没有想到投靠血肉之躯的念头。因此这一行人出发的时候，从外表看来没有一个保护他们的人，但神却护卫他们，他是他民的刀剑和盾牌。
很少有信徒能爲神的缘故发出这种神圣的羞恶之心，就是信心稍有根底的人也难免有时因爲求人的帮助而玷污了他们生活的光彩。不用什麽支援和倚靠之物，而只矗立于万古磐石之上，靠主扶持的人是有福的。若信徒们想到他们求助于该撒就是羞辱主，还会再请求政府帮助他们的教会吗？那不就等于说主不能供给他自己的需要吗？若我们想到主因我们单单倚赖他的膀臂大得荣耀，我们还会急于寻求朋友和亲戚的臂援吗？
我的心哪！要单单等候神。有人说：“但是要用什麽方法呢？”当然有方法；我们的错乃是常依靠方法，而不信靠神。有人太忽视人力，但有许多罪都是因爲太重视人力来的。亲爱的读者！要学会借着不用什麽方法来荣耀神，若是用人的方法就羞辱了主的名。
“求神赐我们圣洁的羞恶之心。”
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.
