God our Refuge
By "the Name of the Lord" we understand the Lord as he has revealed himself to us, the Lord as he has taught us to think and to speak of him. He is our strong Tower in the time of trouble.
I. OUR NEED OF A REFUGE IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE. There may be much in our life that may lead us to speak of it as a song or a tale, or as a march or pilgrimage; but there is much that compels us to consider it a battle or a struggle. Many are the occasions when we have to look about us for a refuge to which we may flee; for we have, at different times and under different circumstances, to confront:
1. Oppression. Ill treatment, severity; the injustice, or the inconsiderateness, or the assumption of those who can afflict us.
2. Disaster. The loss of that which is valuable or of those who are precious to us.
3. Difficulty. The uprising of great obstacles which seem to be insurmountable.
4. Temptaion. Which may act upon us quietly but continuously, and therefore effectively, or which may come down upon us with almost overwhelming suddenness and force. Then we ask ourselves?봚hat is the refuge, the high tower, to which we shall resort?
II. TWO RESOURCES WHICH ARE GOOD, BUT INSUFFICIENT.
1. Our own fortitude. This is that to which Stoicism, the noblest form of ancient philosophy, had recourse?봮ur courage and determination as brave men, who are
"Strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
2. The sympathy and succour of our friends. The kind heart and the helping hand of those who love us, with whom we have walked along the path of life, and who have linked their heart and hand with ours. Both of these are good; but, as all history and observation teach us, they do not suffice. We want another heart that comes nearer to us, another power that can do more for us than these. So we thankfully turn to??
III. THE REFUGE WE HAVE IN GOD. We know that with him is:
1. Perfect sympathy. He is "afflicted in all our affliction;" he is "touched with a feeling of our infirmity;" he "knows what is in" us?봶hat pain of body, what desolateness of spirit, what wrestlings and agonies of the soul.
2. Boundless wisdom. He knows what to save us from, and what to let us suffer; how far and in what way he may relieve and restore us; how he can help us so as to bless us truly and permanently.
3. Almighty power. Our eyes may well be lifted up unto him, for he can "pluck our feet out of the net." "Our God is a Rock;" all the billows of human rebellion will break in vain upon his power. Into the "strong tower" of his Divine protection we may well "run and be safe." "Who is he that can harm us" there??봀.