A help in afflictions that severely befall us.
Therefore we will not fear when the earth is troubled,
And when the mountains are removed into the hearts of the seas.
Their waters roared and were troubled;
The mountains were troubled by His might. (Ps 45:2–4 LXX; [Ps 46:1–3])
To him who is able to say: I can do all things in him, Christ, who strengthens me, God is strength. Now, it is the privilege of many to say: God is our refuge, and Lord, thou hast been our refuge. But, to say it with the same feelings as the prophet is the privilege of few. For, there are few who do not admire human interests but depend wholly upon God and breathe Him and have all hope and trust in Him. And our actions convict us whenever in our afflictions we run to everything else rather than to God. Is a child sick? You look around for an enchanter or one who puts superstitious marks on the necks of the innocent children; or finally, you go to a doctor and to medicines, having neglected Him who is able to save. If a dream troubles you, you run to the interpreter of dreams. And, if you fear an enemy, you cunningly secure some man as a patron. In short, in every need you contradict yourself—in word, naming God as your refuge; in act, drawing on aid from useless and vain things. God is the true aid for the righteous man. Just as a certain general, equipped with a noble heavy-armed force, is always ready to give help to an oppressed district, so God is our Helper and an Ally to everyone who is waging war against the wiliness of the devil, and He sends out ministering spirits for the safety of those who are in need. Moreover, affliction will find every just man because of the established way of life. He who avoids the wide and broad way and travels the narrow and close one will be found by tribulations. The prophet formed the statement vividly when he said; In troubles which have found us exceedingly. For, they overtake us like living creatures, working out endurance, and through endurance tried virtue, and through tried virtue hope. Whence also, the Apostle said: Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And Many are the afflictions of the just. But, he who generously and calmly endures the trial of affliction will say: In all these things we overcome because of him who has loved us. And he is so far from refusing and shrinking from the afflictions that he makes the excessive evils an occasion of glory, saying: And not only this, but we exult in tribulations also.
Basil of Caesarea, Homilies on the Psalms 18.2
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