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Take Refuge in God! (continued)
matter what happens . Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you . I do not give to you as the world gives . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid .” There are many who live in great prosperity – they have lots of money and possessions – yet their lives are consumed with worry and fear . And there are those in our world today who live in very difficult and dangerous places, yet have a great sense of security because they have placed their faith and hope in God .
In the biblical literature when Job lost everything, he chose to place His trust in God . He was shaken but he did not fall . The Bible says in Psalm 125:1, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever .”
We need to have this same cour- age today because Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace . In this world you will have trouble . But take heart! I have overcome the world” . Our confidence should not be shaken, because we have a God who is in complete control . We should have courage, not because we are strong, but because we have a God who is strong . He is powerful and He rules over all . God has not changed, and His love will see us through . Psalms 100:5 says, “For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations .”
As Paul wrote in Romans 8:35 and 37, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us .” We are secure in an unsafe world because the One who loves us is with us . And we need to remember that our security is in eternity and not in the present because this world is not our home . If we are looking only at the present circumstances we will be shaken, but if we are grounded in God’s Word and the promise of eter- nity, we will stand firm and no one can take it away from us . Therefore as 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong .” And also remember what Isaiah 26:3 says: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you .”
One of the greatest Christian hymns was written by Martin Luther, and he based it on the 46th Psalm; “A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS MY GOD .” We can just hear the magnificent courage of this preacher, the courage he displayed when he stood before the religious council that put him on trial . He said, “I cannot and will not retract anything . It is neither wise nor right to do anything against con- science . Here I stand, God help me, I cannot do otherwise .” The reality is that there will be difficult times, but God promises to be our refuge . n