You plead for extra strong protection and breakthrough. This is a cry that must be brought to the right quarter. The character of God is the refuge of the Christian, in opposition to other refuges which godless men have chosen. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit, but the basis of the security of the Believer lies in the Character of God. Run to this, the immutability, the faithfulness, the truthfulness, the mightiness of that God upon whose arm you lean. Even when you are not able to perceive it by experience, yet God’s character remains the refuge of the saint. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. That is a grand word, a stronghold, a fortress, a castle, a tower of defense. In the time of trouble, God guarantees safety to His people, they dwell surrounded as with impregnable bulwarks. The foe comes tearing up the hill, ready to devour the people of God, what makes them safe against the adversary? The Lord is their stronghold, defying the enemy and abiding forever the same, a sure refuge for the needy.
Now consider the matter of breakthrough and deliverance. Deliverance from the power of sin is as much the work of God as deliverance from the guilt of sin. Where we look for justification, there must we also look for sanctification. It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy. The clock of mercy struck in Heaven the hour and moment of deliverance, for the time had come, thus had the eternal purpose of Jehovah decreed it. If you feel the pressure of the enemy, if you sense the archers of discord or the shadows of adversity, remember that the fight is the flight of fear, but the refuge is the refuge of faith. There must be great eagerness here, as if the Christian did not feel safe till he had entered into his God. Christ is the true City of Refuge, and He preserves all those who flee to Him for mercy. Wherever there are by-roads and turns, the sign-post is plainly visible upon them, Refuge, pointing out the way in which the man should flee if he wished to reach the city. And we desire to always have on our lips the cry, “Refuge! Refuge!” Sinner, this is the way! Walk you therein and you shall be saved. But do not sit still and fold your arms and say there is no city of refuge for you. I cannot imagine such folly!
As for breakthrough, the Lord does sometimes whisper to the heart of His children and assure them in trial that they shall not be crushed. He brought them forth also with silver and gold, our deliverance was attended with enrichment. The believer’s conduct after trouble and deliverance is to declare the works of the Lord. If we had no troubles, we would all have less to declare. A person who has no experience of tribulation, what great deliverance has he to speak of? Go now, lean upon the arm that never fails, and trust that He who has found a ransom shall bring you forth. The deliverance is certain; indeed, it is already accomplished in Christ. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.