Spurgeon: November AM
* 11/10/AM
"The eternal God is thy refuge."
--Deuteronomy 33:27
The word refuge may be translated "mansion," or "abiding-
place," which gives the thought that God is our abode, our
home . There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for
dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest
cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed
God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. It is at
home that we feel safe : we shut the world out and dwell in
quiet security. So when we are with our God we "fear no evil."
He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we
take our rest ; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and
toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when,
wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul
dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose ; we are
not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being
misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with
Him, laying open all our hidden desires; for if the "secret of
the Lord is with them that fear Him," the secrets of them that
fear Him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord. Home, too,
is the place of our truest and purest happiness : and it is in
God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in
Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that
we work and labour . The thought of it gives strength to bear
the daily burden, and quickens the fingers to perform the task;
and in this sense we may also say that God is our home. Love to
Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear
Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer
constrains us to labour in His cause. We feel that we must work,
for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father's
heart to make glad by bringing home His wandering sons; we would
fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell.
Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!