Tag Archives: God as refuge

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“Is anyone happy?  Let them sing songs of praise.”  (James 5:13b, NIV)
James reminds us that the rhythm of a disciple’s life is not all labor and toil.  There are many periods of happiness and joy.
As we ought to run to God when trouble arrives, we ought also to give thanks to God when our path is smooth, the weather is fair, and our neighbors are at peace with us.
The natural person attributes the presence of these things to many sources other than to God: Luck, one’s knowledge or skill, or the favor of others.  The disciple sees only God (even when God is acting through others) as the source of all blessings.
James recommends this response: Praise God in song.  Indeed, “praise God from Whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below. . . ”  – Luther
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“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”  (Psalm 62:8, NIV)

Most of us never give a moment’s thought to the necessity of refuge — until we encounter a force of nature.

When our serene life becomes an angry tempest, we yearn for the safety of the harbor.  When the sunshine disappears behind the darkest clouds, we take cover.  When the air we breathe becomes a gale and uproots the features of our landscape that we thought would never change, we flee to our refuge.

Because, in a figurative sense, all of us have been, will be, or will again be, refugees; we need to remember that not all places of refuge are able with withstand the forces.  The scripture reminds us of this when it tells us not to trust in ourselves; nor in others; nor in wealth or possessions.

In every situation, and “at all times, pour out your hearts to Him.”  God is our refuge!  He is our secure shelter.  – Luther

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