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「祂放出自己的羊。」（聖經約翰福音十章 4 節）
主把自己的羊放出來。雖然羊走路很辛苦，然而必須如此。一直懶在一個又暖又舒適的羊圈中，並不是真幸福。所以祂必須放羊出來，使他們吃草喝水，呼吸新鮮的空氣，欣賞美麗的風景。
覺悟吧，讓我們不再留戀原有的地吧！如果祂指揮我們出來，如果是我們的主親手放我們出來的，一切決不會錯誤的。起來吧，奉祂的名，向著青草地和可安歇的水邊開步吧！放膽吧，因為祂「在前頭走」。無論甚麼危險必須先經過祂。信心的眼睛能看見前面領路的好牧人；如果看不見了，自己再向前走去就危險了。安心吧，主叫我們走的路，祂自己都有過經歷的；祂不會叫我們走一步我們不能走的路。
這才是一個有福的生命；不遠看將來、不掛慮前面一步、不自己選擇路程、不把理想的重擔壓在背上，只是靜靜地一步一步緊跟著牧人。
在東方的曠野中，牧童常是走在羊群前頭的。什麼危險的事情發生，必定先臨到他，因為他在羊群前頭。現在，神也在我們前頭。祂在明天。明天會使我們掛慮，可是神已經在那邊了。
我們一生的明天，都必須先經過祂，然後才臨到我們。 ── 梅爾 （F. B. M.）
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"He putteth forth his own sheep." (John 10:4.)
Oh, this is bitter work for Him and us --bitter for us to go, but equally bitter for Him to cause us pain; yet it must be done. It would not be conducive to our true welfare to stay always in one happy and comfortable lot. He therefore puts us forth. The fold is deserted, that the sheep may wander over the bracing mountain slope. The laborers must be thrust out into the harvest, else the golden grain would spoil.
Take hear it! it could not be better to stay when He determines otherwise; and if the loving hand of our Lord puts us forth, it must be well. On, in His name, to green pastures and still waters and mountain heights! He goeth before thee. Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. Faith's eye can always discern His majestic presence in front; and when that cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. Bind this comfort to your heart, that the Savior has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength.
This is the Blessed Life --not anxious to see far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time.
Dark is the sky! And veiled the unknown tomorrow! Dar is life's way, for night is not yet o'er; The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow; But, this I know, HE GOETH ON BEFORE.
Dangers are nigh! And fears my mind are shaking; Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; But I am His -- He knows the way I'm taking, More blessed still --HE GOETH ON BEFORE.
Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me, Doubts that life's best -- life's choicest things are o'er; What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me, And this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.
HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation! He goes before! On this my heart would dwell! He goes before! This guarantees salvation! HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well. -- J. Danson Smith.
The Oriental shepherd was always ahead of his sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account. Now God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us. --F. B. M.
"God is in every tomorrow, Therefore I live for today, Certain of finding at sunrise, Guidance and strength for the way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain, Comfort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain."
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