但這百姓是被搶被奪的,都牢籠在坑中,隱藏在獄裏;他們作掠物,無人拯救,作擄物,無人說交還。 22 But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, 「Send them back.」
March 23 "Out of the spoils won in battle did they dedicate to maintain the house of the lord."(1 Chron. 26:27.) PHYSICAL force is stored in the bowels of the earth, in the coal mines, which came from the fiery heat that burned up great forests in ancient ages; and so spiritual force is stored in the depths of our being, through the very pain which we cannot understand. Some day we shall find that the spoils we have won from our trials were just preparing us to become true "Great hearts" in the Pilgrim's progress, and to lead our fellow pilgrims triumphantly through trial to the city of the King. But let us never forget that the source of helping other people must be victorious suffering. The whining, murmuring pang never does anybody any good. Paul did not carry a cemetery with him, but a chorus of victorious praise; and the harder the trial, the more he trusted and rejoiced, shouting from the very altar of sacrifice. he said, "Yea, and If I be offered upon the service and sacrifice of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all." Lord, help me this day to draw strength from all that comes to me! ─Days of Heaven upon Earth. "He placed me in a little cage, Away from gardens fair; But I must sing the sweetest songs Because He placed me there. Not beat my wings against the cage If it's my Maker's will, But raise my voice to heaven's gate Amd sing the louder still!"