Where Do You Run?
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Where do you run when you need help? Do you call your wife and pour your heart out to her? Do you ask your Mom or Dad to listen? Or maybe you prefer to be alone in your room, where you can log onto Facebook, post your problems on your wall — and see if your friends may have the answers you need?
A few years ago, I was faced with a situation where I needed help. I did all of the above. I asked everyone except God. Usually, I go to God first. But this time my problem seemed so overwhelming that I instinctively ran to the physical things that I could touch or see with my natural senses.
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What’s the problem with that approach? It’s not grounded in faith. Yes, it’s fine to go to the people around us who love us, but first we must run by faith to God. People come and go. People are not always there. Even our family as much as they may love us are not always around.
“When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path” (Psalm 27:10-11, KJV).
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24).
We need a constant Source of help, a place we can run where our Comforter never turns away and our Guide never departs. We need a Helper who can always be found, one whose love is steady and whose forgiveness is strong. We need God.
We need God for life itself. We need Him on the days when we are popular and we need Him on the days when all of our friends are gone. We need God during nights that are filled with frustration and tears, and we need Him on nights that are filled with laughter.
James 4:8 encourages, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (NKJV)
I like the way The Message puts it:
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud “No” to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet “Yes” to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4:7-10)
What keeps you from running to God? Will you try running to Him with a heart full of faith the next time you need help?
Question: Where do you run when you need help?
About the Author: Jacqueline Overpeck
Takoda, thanks, I’ve adjusted that sentence in the devo to be male-appropriate. The author was speaking from her own perspective, hopefully people will realize that and translate it to be relevant to their own. (In much the same way women are forced in most Bible translations to often mentally translate “men” or “mankind” to be “people” or “human beings”!)
In your daily MENS devotional today the first line is:
Where do you run when you need help? Do you call your HUSBAND and pour your heart out to him?
Why would I do that shouldn’t that be my WIFE?