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This is the God whom we adore!
这就是我们所敬拜的上帝!
(Letters of John Newton)
(约翰·牛顿书信集)
“I know that the Lord is great – that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases Him – in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths!” Psalm 135:5-6
“我知道耶和华是伟大的 – 我们的主比所有的神都更伟大。耶和华在天上地下,在海洋和一切深处,都随己意而行!”诗篇135:5-6
God rules all! And though He is concealed by a veil of second causes from common eyes, so that they can perceive only the means, instruments, and contingencies by which He works, and therefore think He does nothing; yet, in reality, He does all according to His own counsel and pleasure, in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.
上帝统管万有!虽然在常人眼中,祂被次要因素的帘幕所遮蔽,以致他们只能看到祂工作时所用的方式、工具和偶然性,因此认为祂什么都没做;但实际上,祂按照自己的旨意和喜悦,在天军中和地上居民中行事。
Who can enumerate all the beings and events which are . . .
incessantly before His eye,
adjusted by His wisdom,
dependent on His will,
and regulated by His power!
谁能数算所有的生灵和事件,它们都是. . .
不断在祂眼前的,
由祂的智慧调节的,
依赖于祂的旨意的,
并由祂的能力所管理的!
If we consider the heavens, the work of His fingers, the moon and the stars which He has ordained; if we call in the assistance of astronomers to help us in forming a conception of the number, distances, magnitudes, and motions of the heavenly bodies – the more we search, the more we shall be confirmed that these are but a small portion of His ways! Without His continual energy upholding them – they would rush into confusion, or sink into nothing! They are all dependent upon His power, and obedient to His command.
如果我们思想诸天,祂手指所创造的工作,月亮和星辰,都是祂所命定的;如果我们寻求天文学家的帮助来理解天体的数量、距离、大小和运动 – 我们越是探索,就越发确信这些仅仅是祂作为的一小部分!若没有祂持续的能力托住它们 – 它们就会陷入混乱,或归于虚无!它们都依赖于祂的能力,顺服于祂的命令。
To come nearer home, and to speak of what seems more suited to our scanty apprehensions – still we may be lost in wonder.
让我们说些更贴近自身、更适合我们有限理解力的事 – 仍然令我们惊叹不已。
With respect to mankind, He reigns with uncontrolled dominion over every kingdom, family and individual.
就人类而言,祂以绝对的统治权掌管着每个国度、家庭和个人。
Before this blessed and only Potentate, all the nations of the earth are but as the dust upon the balance, and the small drop of a bucket – and might be thought (if compared with the immensity of His works) scarcely worthy of His notice!
在这位蒙福的独一掌权者面前,地上万国不过是天平上的微尘,水桶里的一滴水 – 若与祂浩瀚的创造相比,简直微不足道,似乎不值得祂注意!
Yet here He presides, pervades, provides, protects, and rules!
然而祂却在此主持、充满、供应、保护并掌管一切!
All changes, successes, and disappointments – all that is memorable in the annals of history, all the risings and falls of empires, all the turns in human life – take place according to His sovereign plan!
所有的变迁、成功与失望 – 历史记载中所有值得纪念的事,帝国的兴衰,人生的转折 – 都按照祂至高的计划发生!
In Him His creatures live, move, and have their being.
在祂里面,祂所造的万物生存、运动、存在。
From Him, is their food and preservation.
他们的食物和保护都来自于祂。
The eyes of all are upon Him; what He gives, they gather – and can gather no more!
万物的眼目都仰望祂;祂赐给什么,他们就收取什么 – 也不能收取更多!
And at His word they sink into the dust!
在祂的话语下,他们归于尘土!
There is not . . .
a worm which crawls upon the ground,
or a flower which grows in the pathless wilderness,
or a shell upon the sea-shore –
but bears the impress of His wisdom, power, and goodness!
没有一物…
无论是地上爬行的虫子,
还是荒野中生长的花朵,
或是海边的贝壳 –
不带有祂智慧、能力和良善的印记!
He preserves man and beast, sustains the young lion in the forest, feeds the birds of the air, which have neither storehouse or barn, and adorns the insects and the flowers of the field with a beauty and elegance beyond all that can be found in the courts of kings!
祂保护人和兽,养育森林中的幼狮,喂养天空中既无仓房也无粮仓的飞鸟,并以超越王宫所有华美的优雅装饰着田野中的昆虫和花朵!
All things serve Him, and are in His hands – as clay in the hands of the potter.
万物都服事祂,在祂手中 – 如同泥土在窑匠的手中。
Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of saints!
全能的主神啊,你的作为何其伟大奇妙!圣徒的君王啊,你的道路何其公义真实!
This is the God whom we adore!
这就是我们所敬拜的神!
This is He who invites us to lean upon His almighty arm, and promises to guide us with His unerring eye!
这就是邀请我们倚靠祂全能臂膀,应许用祂永不差错的眼目引导我们的主!