「有捆鎖與患難等著我。我卻不以性命為念。」－使徒行傳20:23-24
我們讀到在撒母耳記中，當大衛在希伯崙被立為王的時候：「非利士眾人就上來尋索大衛。」（撒母耳記下5:17）同樣的，當我們在神面前蒙恩典眷愛的時候，魔鬼也會上來尋索我們。
當神偉大的工作要成就的時候，仇敵總會前來攻擊，我們應該將它視為「神拯救的記號」，並且宣告我們要得加倍的福份、勝利，和能力。
能力是在四面阻礙中產生的。加農砲能有加倍的射程，是因為它有加倍的阻礙。電力也是在機輪互相摩擦的阻礙下產生的。有一天我們會發現，甚至連撒但也是個憑藉，讓神能夠賜下大福。
憂患是通往勝利的必經之路。谷間的小徑要引我們走向康莊大道。
偉大的事物上，都有患難的印記。冠冕出自於火窯的打造；環繞在神腳上高貴的品格，也必須經過爐火的鍛鍊；偉大的得勝者也需要經過酒榨的苦楚。
額上刺痕滿佈的憂患之子說：「在世上你們有苦難」可是啜泣後卻帶來應許：「但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」（約翰福音16:33）
憂患的腳蹤隨處可見；斑斑的血跡要引我們走向寶座；傷痕的代價要帶我們贏得權杖；冠冕總需奮力奪取；偉大的命運也盡是憂傷。這些都是眾所皆知的秘密。
"None of these things move me" (Acts20:24).We read in the book of Samuel that the moment that David was crowned at Hebron, "All the Philistines came up to seek David." And the moment we get anything from the Lord worth contending for, then the devil comes to seek us.
When the enemy meets us at the threshold of any great work for God, let us accept it as "a token of salvation," and claim double blessing, victory, and power. Power is developed by resistance. The cannon carries twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through resistance. The way electricity is produced in the powerhouse yonder is by the sharp friction of the revolving wheels. And so we shall find some day that even Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing. --Days of Heaven upon Earth
Tribulation is the way to triumph. The valley-way opens into the highway. Tribulation's imprint is on all great things. Crowns are cast in crucibles. Chains of character that wind about the feet of God are forged in earthly flames. No man is greatest victor till he has trodden the winepress of woe. With seams of anguish deep in His brow, the "Man of Sorrows" said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation"--but after this sob comes the psalm of promise, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The footprints are traceable everywhere. Bloodmarks stain the steps that lead to thrones. Sears are the price of scepters. Our crowns will be wrested from the giants we conquer. Grief has always been the lot of greatness. It is an open secret.
