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The tenderness of God
神的温柔怜悯
(John MacDuff, “The Night Watches”) LISTEN to audio! Download Audio
(约翰·麦克德夫《夜间守望》)
“He will feed His flock like a Shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:11
“他必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。”以赛亚书40:11
How soothing, in the hour of sorrow, or bereavement, or death葉o have the countenance and sympathy of a tender earthly friend. Reader, these words tell you of One nearer, dearer, tenderer still葉he Friend that never fails, a tender God!
在悲伤、丧亲或死亡时刻，能得到一位温柔地上朋友的关怀和同情是多么安慰。读者啊，这些话语告诉你有一位更亲近、更亲爱、更温柔的一位永不失信的朋友，一位温柔的神！
By how many endearing epithets does Jesus exhibit the tenderness of His relation to His people.
耶稣用多少亲切的称谓来展现他与他子民之间的温柔关系。
Does a shepherd watch tenderly over his flock?
“The Lord is my Shepherd.”
牧人是否温柔地看顾他的羊群？
“耶和华是我的牧者。”
Does a father exercise fondest solicitude towards His children?
“I will be a Father unto you.”
父亲是否对他的儿女怀有最深切的关心？
“我要作你们的父亲。”
Does a mother’s love exceed all other earthly types of affection.
“As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you.”
母亲的爱是否超越所有其他世上的情感？
“我要如同母亲安慰孩子一样安慰你们。”
Is the ‘apple of the eye’ (the pupil) the most sensitive part of the most delicate bodily organ?
He guards His people “as the apple of His eye!”
眼中的瞳人是否是最敏感的身体器官中最脆弱的部分？
他保护他的子民”如同保护眼中的瞳人！”
“He will not break the bruised reed.”
“他不折断压伤的芦苇。”
When the Shepherd and Guardian of souls finds the sinner, like a lost sheep, stumbling on the dark mountains揺ow tenderly He deals with him! There is no look of wrath; no word of upbraiding. In silent love “He lays him on His shoulders rejoicing!”
当这位灵魂的牧者和守护者发现罪人，如同迷失的羊在黑暗山间跌撞时，他是多么温柔地对待他啊！没有愤怒的目光，没有责备的话语。在无声的爱中，”他欢欢喜喜地将羊扛在肩上！”
Reader, are you mourning over . . .
the weakness of your faith,
the coldness of your love,
your manifold spiritual declensions?
读者，你是否在为以下事情哀伤…
信心的软弱，
爱心的冷淡，
多方面的属灵衰退？
Fear not. He knows your frame! He will give ‘feeble faith’ tender dealing. He will carry in His arms those that are unable to walk, and will conduct the burdened ones through a path less rough and rugged than others.
不要惧怕。祂知道你的本相！祂会温柔对待”软弱的信心”。祂会用双臂扶持那些不能行走的人，带领负重的人走在比他人更平坦的道路上。
When “the lion” or “the bear” comes—you may trust the true David, the tenderest of Shepherds!
当”狮子”或”熊”来临时——你可以信靠真正的大卫，那最温柔的牧者！
Are you suffering from outward trial? Confide in the tenderness of your God’s dealings with you. The strokes of His rod are gentle strokes—the needed discipline of a father yearning over his children the very moment He is chastising them. The gentlest earthly parent may speak a needlessly harsh word at times—but not so God. He may seem like Joseph to his brethren, to ‘speak roughly’—but all the while there is love in His heart!
你是否正经历外在的试炼？要相信你的神以温柔待你。祂杖的责打是温和的——这是父亲在管教孩子时也心生怜悯的必要管教。最温柔的地上父母有时也会说出不必要的严厉话语——但神却不会如此。祂可能像约瑟对他的兄弟那样”说话严厉”——但祂的心中始终充满着爱！
The pruning knife will not be used unnecessarily. It will never cut too deeply.
修剪的刀不会无故使用。它永远不会切得太深。
The furnace will not burn more fiercely than is absolutely required. A tender God is seated by it, tempering the fury of its flames!
炉火不会燃烧得比必要的更猛烈。温柔的神就坐在旁边，调节着火焰的烈度！
And what, believer, is the secret of all this tenderness? There is a Man upon the Throne! Jesus, the God-Man Mediator—combining with the might of Godhead, the tenderness of spotless humanity.
信徒啊，这一切温柔的秘密是什么？有一个人坐在宝座上！耶稣，这位神人中保——将神性的大能与无瑕人性的温柔结合在一起。
Is your heart crushed with sorrow? So was His!
你的心是否因悲伤而破碎？祂的心也曾如此！
Are your eyes dimmed with tears? So were His? “Jesus wept!” Bethany’s Chief Mourner still wears the Brother’s heart in glory!
你的眼睛是否因泪水而模糊？祂也曾如此！”耶稣哭了！”伯大尼的首要哀悼者在荣耀中仍带着兄长的心！
Others may be unable to enter into the depths of your trial. Jesus can—Jesus does!
其他人可能无法理解你试炼的深度。耶稣能——耶稣确实能！
With such a tender God . . .
caring for me,
providing for me,
watching my path by day, and
guarding my couch by night,
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone,
O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
有这样一位温柔的神。。。
眷顾着我，
供应着我，
日间看顾我的道路，
夜间守护我的床榻，
“我必安然躺下睡觉，因为独有你耶和华使我安然居住。”诗篇4:8