Run to God
Where do you run to when the storms of life beat upon you with unrelenting persistence? Where do you hide when trouble chases you like a hound pursuing a fox? Where do you find peace when fear overtakes you and anxiety places its tight grip around your neck? Where do you go when grief casts its dark shadow over your faith? The answer to all four questions is the same—or, at least, it should be. It is God. We must run to God. We must hide in God. We must find peace and rest in God while our souls wrestle and hurt inside. He alone is the One who can meet our deepest needs while He nurtures us and teaches us what it really means to trust Him with every trial. As the psalmist writes:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
The hymn-writer hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!” His words were undoubtedly influenced by those of the apostle Peter, who assures us that “we have the prophetic word made more sure” than the most dramatic spiritual experience (2 Peter 1:19). No matter what your trial may be, know this: God stands ready to lift you up when you run to Him by faith. Because this is true we are most faithful, as ministers of comfort, when we graciously lead one another to the rock-solid foundation of the Word of God.
