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A Never-Failing Refuge, May 18
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
.
It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care.
But our Lord does not deceive us. He does not say to us, “Do not fear; there are no
dangers in your path.” He knows there are trials and dangers, and He deals with
us plainly. He does not propose to take His people out of a world of sin and evil,
but He points them to a never-failing refuge....
How can we remain in doubt, questioning whether Jesus loves us, sinful though
we be and compassed with infirmities? He gave Himself for us that He might
redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of
good works. He came to our world in the humble guise of a man, that He might
become acquainted with the griefs and temptations that beset man’s pathway, and
that He might know how to help the weary with His offer of rest and peace. But
thousands upon thousands refuse His assistance and only cling more firmly to
their burden of care. He comes to the afflicted, and offers to soothe their grief and
heal their sorrow.... To the disappointed, the unbelieving, and the unhappy He
offers contentment, while pointing to mansions that He is preparing for them....
Jesus, our precious Saviour, should be first in our thoughts and affections, and we
should trust Him with entire confidence....
As each day comes we must in the strength of Jesus meet its trials and tempta-
tions. If we fail one day we add to the burdens of the next, and have less strength.
We should not cloud the future by our carelessness in the present, but by thoughtful
and careful performance of today’s duties be preparing to meet the emergencies
of tomorrow.
We need to cultivate a spirit of cheerfulness.... Let us ever look on the bright
side of life and be hopeful, full of love and good works, rejoicing in the Lord
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always. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,” and “be ye thankful” (
Colos-
sians 3:15
).
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