THE REFUGE
Beloved of God, frequently reflect upon the cross where Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, gave His life for your sins. Jesus reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, so that He could present you to His Father, the righteous judge, holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
Christian, regardless of any circumstances that you face, you should rejoice just to know that your life has been confirmed to the end through the cross of Christ.
Examine the blessings that were lavishly and unrestrictedly given to you. You were a rebel that was subdued, a criminal that was pardoned, a child of wickedness that was adopted, an insignificant reprobate to a royal priest, and a servant of the Devil to union with Christ. You now have a covenant relationship with God based on the shed blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, with access to the Holy of Holies. Not only that, but even now you are being conformed into His image, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Octavius Winslow said concerning his faith in Christ, “Passing from grace to glory, contemplate the heaven of bliss that awaits me away from a world, beautiful though it is because God has made it, yet the throne of Satan, the empire of sin, the scene of sorrow, pollution, suffering, and death.” But in heaven while in the presence of Jesus, “made perfectly holy, and, consequently, perfectly happy, to sin no more, to sorrow no more, to weep no more, to wander no more, to fall no more.” “Oh, how full of glory then becomes the humiliation of my incarnate Lord!”
Therefore, remain steadfast in your commitment to the word of God and the unchanging promise given to you in Christ, which assures you that “He will never forsake you,” but will be with you during the time of death.
Rowland Taylor faced death at the stake, without fear, trusting in Jesus, saying, “To my wife and to my children, The Lord gave you unto me, and the Lord hath taken me from you and you from me: blessed be the name of the Lord! I believe that they are blessed which die in the Lord. God careth for sparrows, and for the hairs of our heads. I have ever found Him more faithful and favourable than any father or husband. Trust ye, therefore, in Him by the means of our dear Saviour, Christ’s merits.”
The Lord’s words to Israel are still relevant to all of His children today, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. “For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” In every aspect of your life, make an effort to draw near to Him, as He has given you physical life through the miracle of creation, and He can safeguard you eternally by the shed blood of His Son. Despite the violent opposition of hell’s temptations, do not succumb to them for one moment. Don’t forget that when this short vapor of life disappears, you will witness Jesus Christ, the Son of righteousness, in all of His glory.
“So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.” Oh may the Lord give us the desire to pray, “Let me live wholly to my Saviour, free from distractions, from hindrances to the pursuit of the narrow way. I am pardoned through the blood of Jesus — give me a new sense of it, continue to pardon me by it, may I come every day to the fountain, and every day be washed anew, that I may worship thee always in spirit and truth.”