How abundant is your goodness, which you have . . . worked for those who take refuge in you. ( Psalms 31:19 19 Oh how great is thy goodness, Which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, Which thou hast wrought for them that take refuge in thee, Before the sons of men! )

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. ( Psalms 34:22 22 Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be condemned. Psalm 35 `A Psalm' of David. )

• He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. ( 2 Samuel 22:31 31 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him. )

• Blessed are all who take refuge in him. ( Psalms 2:12 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him. Psalm 3 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. )

• The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. ( Nahum 1:7 7 Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that take refuge in him. )

We do not earn or merit anything by taking refuge in God. Hiding in something makes no contribution to the hiding place. All it does is show that we regard ourselves as helpless and the hiding place as a place of rescue.

The condition we must meet to have this grace is not a meritorious one; it is the condition of desperation and acknowledged weakness and need.

Destitution does not demand or deserve; it pleads for mercy and looks for grace.