"GOD Is Our Refuge And Strength, A Very Present Help In Trouble!"

The sweeping away of our earthly hopes!

(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")

"The eternal GOD is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting
arms!"   Deuteronomy 33:27

"You are my refuge--
my portion in the land
of the living!" Psalm 142:5

Often we do not learn the depth

and riches of GOD'S love, and

the sweetness of HIS presence--

until our earthly joys vanish out

of our hands, and other beloved

presences fade away out of sight.

The loss of temporal things

seems often to be necessary

to empty our hearts--

that they may receive

unseen and eternal realities.

The heart's door is never

fully opened to HIM--

until the soul's worldly joys

are removed; then, while

it stands open, HE enters

bearing into it immortal joys!

How often is it true, that 

the sweeping away of our 

earthly hopes reveals the glory 

of our heart's refuge in GOD! 

Someone has beautifully said, 

"Our refuges are like the nests 

of birds: in summer they are 

hidden among the green leaves--

but in winter they are seen among 

the bare branches." Worldly losses 

but strip off the foliage, and disclose 

to us our heart's warm nest in 

the bosom of GOD!

"The LORD is a refuge for 
the oppressed, a stronghold 
in times of trouble!" Psalm 9:9

"GOD is our refuge and strength--
a very present help in trouble!" 
Psalm 46:1

"YOU are my strong refuge!" 
Psalm 71:7 

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GraceGems has published Jonathan Edwards' powerful sermon,
"The Vain Self-Flatteries of the Sinner!"