Streams In the Desert for May 11
"We went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."(Psa. 66:12.)
PARADOXICAL though it be, only that man is at rest who attains it through conflict. This peace, born of conflict, is not like the deadly hush preceding the tempest, but the serene and pure-aired quiet that follows it.
It is not generally the prosperous one, who has never sorrowed, who is strong and at rest. His quality has never been tried, and he knows not how he can stand even a gentle shock. He is not the safest sailor who never saw a tempest; he will do for fair-weather service, but when the storm is rising, place at the important post the man who has fought out a gale, who has tested the ship, who knows her hulk sound, her rigging strong, and her anchor-flukes able to grasp and hold by the ribs of the world.
When first affliction comes upon us, how everything gives way! Our clinging, tendril hopes are snapped, and our heart lies prostrate like a vine that the storm has torn from its trellis; but when the first shock is past, and we are able to look up, and say, "It is the Lord," faith lifts the shattered hopes once more, and binds them fast to the feet of God. Thus the end is confidence, safety, and peace. --- Selected.
The adverse winds blew against my life; My little ship with grief was tossed; My plans were gone─heart full of strife, And all my hope seemed to be lost─ "Then He arose"─one word of peace. "There was a calm"─a sweet release.
A tempest great of doubt and fear Possessed my mind; no light was there To guide, or make my vision clear. Dark night! 'twas more than I could bear─ "Then He arose." I saw His face─ "There was a calm" filled with His grace.
My heart was sinking 'neath the wave Of deepening test and raging grief; All seemed as lost, and none could save, And nothing could bring me relief─ "Then He arose"─and spoke one word, "There was a calm! IT IS THE LORD. ─L. S. P.
伟大的母亲
读经：撒上1：12-20，马可12：12，提后1：5
俗语说："推摇篮的手，能推动全世界"。又说："凡是伟大人物，其背后必有一位不平凡的母亲"。这些话都是歌颂母亲的伟大。我们中国的母亲中有孔子的母亲，孟子的母亲，岳飞的母亲，可以说他们的伟大人人皆知。在今天庆祝母亲节的日子，我们应当思念母亲的爱。也祝福每一位母亲。现在我们一同查考圣经中的几位母亲。
一、哈拿--祷告的母亲
撒母耳的母亲哈拿可说是一位祷告的母亲。因为她不能生育，她把心中的苦楚向神倾心吐意。她的祷告是信心的祷告，是诚实的祷告，是持之以恒的祷告，是许愿的祷告。因为她的祈求，神赐给她一个儿子，取名为撒母耳，意思就是从上帝那里求来的。这位祷告的母亲哈拿是我们今日基督徒的榜样。她不但有信心的求，而且向神感恩，还她所许的愿，把儿子献给神。我们许多时候不肯实现自己在神面前祷告时的许诺。
二、马利亚--爱主的母亲
圣经中有六位马利亚，都是爱主的。这里我们只提马可的母亲马利亚。在初期教会，她的家是门徒聚集祷告的地方。有人推测，她的家也是五旬节门徒聚集的地方。当彼得被天使救出监狱的时候，就往马可的母亲马利亚家去。可见马利亚是位爱主的母亲，她且把儿子献给主，随从彼得，保罗巴拿巴去传道。今天我们的家是否让基督作一家之主吗？你肯把儿女献给主吗？
三、友尼基--虔诚的母亲
提摩太在神面前有美好的灵性和真实的信心，这都因他祖母罗以和母亲友尼基的教导。他的祖母和母亲引领他走的是信心的道路，使他从小明白圣经。友尼基是位虔诚事主的母亲，言传身教，为提摩太立美好的榜样。提摩太所以成为主重用的仆人，是他的母亲从小把他的信仰建立在一个很实在的基础上。今日我们作父母的基督徒是否把儿女带到主前，是否为儿女树立好的榜样？
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