p. 6 | Let God be our Refuge

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jul 10, 1855

Let God be our Refuge.

God's ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts: for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His thoughts higher than our thoughts, and his ways than our ways. Man in his best estate, comes so infinitely short of being able to comprehend the purposes and plans of his Creator, that the ways of God often seem dark and mysterious; and we cannot understand his dealings with us. Yet every humble and devoted Christian feels full confidence in the love and wisdom of an allwise Providence, so that whatever may betide, he has a refuge to which to flee from every storm and tempest. Without a God to control the universe, all created nature would return to its original chaos. And when we reflect on our own weakness, and limited comprehensions, we can but feel how our own existence depends upon the constant care of that superior Being. He knows what is for our good, although we at the time, can see only evil. God sees when it is necessary to chasten and afflict us, to keep us low at the foot of the cross; and if He chasten us not, we have reason to fear we are not sons of God. Without disappointment and trial in this life, to remind us of our dependence, and helplessness, we might forget God, and trust in an arm of flesh. How often can the child of God look back to scenes of disappointment, when his wisest worldly plans were frustrated to his then great dismay, and see that it was the kind hand of God that thus safely guided him, and shielded him from certain evil, into which his own unaided wisdom would have plunged him. Present good is often found to be our greatest evil; and so the reverse. We thus see the necessity of looking to God for guidance and direction in all our plans and operations. So long as God is with us, we have an assurance that all things will work together for our good. If we trust implicitly in him, no permanent evil can overtake us. He that heareth the young ravens when they cry, and arrays the lilies of the field in all their glory, is not insensible to the wants of his creatures, whose confidence is in him. He is, and is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him; and none will seek him in vain. His invitations are, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Ask, and it shall be given you: seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. Enter ye in at the strait gate. Wash you, make you clean: put away the evil of your doings from before your eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well—seek judgment; relieve the oppressed—judge the fatherless—plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow—though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat—yea come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price. Incline your ear and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live—and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."

With such a kind being for our Benefactor, who is so able and willing to save all who trust in him—and who will so surely be faithful to perform all he has promised—how inconsistent must those be, who neglect his counsel, and trust in their own wisdom to guide them. Cease ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils.