June 27, a hiding place for the helpless, how abundant is your goodness which you have worked

for those who take refuge in you, Psalm 31, 19. The experience of future grace often hangs

on whether we will take refuge in God or whether we doubt his care and run for cover to other

shelters. For those who take refuge in God, the promises of future grace are many and rich.

None of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned, Psalm 34, 22. He is a shield for all who

take refuge in Him, 2 Samuel 22, 31. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him, Psalm 2 12.

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. He knows those who take refuge in Him,

one, may Him one, seven. We do not earn or merit anything by taking refuge in God, hiding because we

are weak and need protection is not a work to commend our self-sufficiency. All it does is show that

we regard ourselves as helpless and the hiding place as a place of rescue.

In all those promises I just quoted, the condition of great blessing from God is that we

take refuge in Him. That condition is not a meritorious one. It is the condition of desperation

and acknowledged weakness and need and trust. Desperation does not demand or deserve. It pleads for mercy and looks for grace.