约押虽然没有归从押沙龙,却归从了亚多尼雅。(王上二28)

约押在大考验中站得住,始终对大卫绝对效忠,没有随从那野心勃勃、欺世惑众的押沙龙。但到了晚年,却跟随了贪鄙的亚多尼雅。所以要常常提高警觉;有一个人可以这样倒退,众人都有这倒退的可能(林前十13)。你过了大难关吗?现在就要在最小的事上留心。那最不为人注意的小事,要懂得留心。

我们会很随意的说:“既然经过这样大的考验,就不会再回到世俗中去,留恋世事了。”不要自以为知道试探的来源;最不可能发生的事,往往是最致命的。在一次重大的属灵转变过后,那隐而不露的试探就开始出现了;这不会很昭彰明显,却潜藏在那里,若不警觉,就必把你绊倒。你在烈火的考验下曾经持守纯正,向神忠贞,如今却要当心暗潮。但不必无病呻吟,内省自疚,对前途恐惧不前,只要保持警觉,让你的记忆在神面前清晰明亮。没有防卫看守,力量就会变弱,那暗潮便会涌入,叫防守崩陷。圣经人物很多都在优点上失败,而不是在弱点上。

“蒙神能力保守”——这是唯一安全之方。

祈祷◆主啊,今天我要奉你的名讲道;求你使它藉着你的能力而发放。使我的灵魂确实认识你,让我在所有深入和终极的意义上只专注于你。

April 19: Is It Not In The Least Likely?

“For Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom.” 1 Kings 2:28

Joab stood the big test, he remained absolutely loyal and true to David and did not turn after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom, but yet towards the end of his life he turned after the craven Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where any one may go back (see 1 Cor. 10:13). You have gone through the big crisis, now be alert over the least things; take into calculation the “retired sphere of the leasts.”

We are apt to say – “It is not in the least likely that having been through the supreme crisis, I shall turn now to the things of the world.” Do not forecast where the temptation will come, it is the least likely thing that is the peril. In the aftermath of a great spiritual transaction the “retired sphere of the leasts” begins to tell; it is not dominant, but remember it is there, and if you are not warned, it will trip you up. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials, now beware of the undercurrent. Do not be morbidly introspective, looking forward with dread, but keep alert; keep your memory bright before God. Unguarded strength is double weakness because that is where the “retired sphere of the leasts” saps. The Bible characters fell on their strong points, never on their weak ones.

“Kept by the power of God” – that is the only safety.