大斋节三

有一根刺

——哥林多后书十二章七节

主令则行，主禁乃止。钥在主手，启闭由之。业绩有成，荣当归主；奈我有私，窃以归已。主门常开，主荣无限；主门偶闭，免我自高。

人各有刺，加诸其身。或为所难，力不能胜；或为所短，力不从心。主不去刺，惟许赐恩。主能主力，庇我覆我；软弱之时，更显主能。我之刚强，本为软弱；除却主恩，何夸何恃？

我本瓦器，主为恩源；愿更卑微，免碍主工。竭力尽心，乃我本分；荣全归主，何敢自取！

Lent 3

2 Corinthians 12:7

 A thorn

 I go forward; I halt; all at God’s command. The key is in God’s hand, the door his to open or close. When I achieve something in my work, the glory belongs to God; but I am selfish and secretly reserve it for myself. God’s door stands, as usual, open when I return all glory to him. If it shuts for a moment, it is to avoid my pride and boastfulness.

Everyone has a thorn in the flesh, a trouble that cannot be overcome or some personal failing. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. God does not remove the thorn, but promises grace. The omnipotence and power of God cover me. When I am weak, God’s power shines forth more clearly. My strength is but weakness. Except for God’s grace, what can I rely on? Of what shall I boast?

I am but a vessel of clay. There is no fountainhead of grace save the Lord. Let me be even more humble lest I obstruct the Lord’s work. My part is to pour myself out. All glory belongs to God. How dare I take it for myself!