Deuteronomy 33:27

“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!

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