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「無論何時你們看見自己被各樣試煉圍困了，都要以為大喜樂。因為知道你們的信心經過試驗，就生忍耐。」（聖經雅各書一章 2/3節，衛莫司譯本）
神常圍困祂自己的兒女們，為著要訓練他們；可是人總錯看祂的圍困，誤會祂的作為。
約伯就是這樣，他說：「人的道路既然遮隱，神又把他四面圍困，為何有光賜給他呢？」（聖經約伯記三章 23 節）。啊，神的兒女們！試煉雖然圍困我們，仍有很多隙縫可以透光進來的。荊棘不會來刺你，除非你靠著它。並且那些傷你的話語、使你痛心的信札、親朋的棄絕、經濟的壓迫……神都知道。如果，你敢完全信靠祂，祂必與你表同情，並且負你一切的責任。 ── 選
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"Reckon it nothing but joy…. Whenever you find yourself hedged in by the various trial, be assured that the testing of your faith leads to power of endurance." (James 1:2,3.) (Weymouth)
[My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.]
God hedges in His own that He may preserve them, but oftentimes they only see the wrong side of the hedge, and so misunderstand His dealings.
It was so with Job (Job 3:23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?). Ah, but Satan knew the value of that hedge! See his testimony in chapter 1:10 ("Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.). Through the leaves of every trial there are chinks of light to shine through. Thorns do not prick you unless you lean against them, and not one touches without His knowledge. The words that hurt you, the letter which gave you pain, the cruel wound of your dearest friend, shortness of money -- are all known to Him, who sympathizes as none else can and watches to see, if, through all , you will dare to trust Him wholly.
"The hawthorn hedge that keeps us from intruding, Looks very fierce and bare
When stripped by winter, every branch protruding Its thorns that would wound and tear.
"But spring-time comes; and like the rod that budded, Each twig breaks out in green; And cushions soft of tender leaves are studded, Where spines alone were seen.
"The sorrows, that to us seem so perplexing, Are mercies kindly sent To guard our wayward souls from sadder vexing, And greater ills prevent.
"To save us from the pit, no screen of roses Would serve for our defense, The hindrance that completely interposes Stings back like thorny fence.
"At first when smarting from the shock, complaining Of wounds that freely bleed, God's hedges of severity us paining, May seem severe indeed.
"But afterwards, God's blessed spring-time cometh, And bitter murmurs cease; The sharp severity that pierced us bloometh, And yields the fruits of peace.
"Then let us sing, our guarded way thus wending Life's hidden snares among, Of mercy and of judgment sweetly blending; Earth's sad, but lovely song."
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