Devotionals

Running Away Or Resting?

by Cheryl Weber
11/29/24
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A friend I clean for has two cats: Mittens and Muffin. Muffin, in particular, is afraid of the vacuum cleaner.  He watches me from my friend’s bed as I vacuum, growing increasingly edgy. By the time I come up the side, he bolts. The other day, he managed to run into every room ahead of me, thinking he was escaping, only to have me follow him. Finally, my friend’s sister picked him up and carried him into the living room. But even in her arms, he apparently felt the need to flee because she said to him, “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”

Like poor Muffin, we face fearful situations, either genuinely threatening or perceived as threatening. Instead of trusting the Lord, we can run in fear, but trouble only follows us. And even though we know God is with us, we still find ourselves in panic mode.

God asks us to run to him though troubles chase us down. His presence surrounds us and if we allow him, he holds us close, and cares for us, even when we face our darkest fears and trials (Psalms 23:4).  He says, “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”

God’s Word is full of such messages:

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”
Psalms 34:4 NLT

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27 NKJV

Psalms 46:1 says that God is, “our refuge” and ”a very present help in trouble.” NKJV 

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NLT

“Not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”  Romans 8:38 NLT

1 Peter 5:7 admonishes us to give our cares to God because he cares for us.

Let’s live our lives so that we follow the advice of late speaker, author, and holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom who said, “Don’t wrestle, just nestle,” under God’s wings. 

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, thank you that you never abandon me but carry me, protect me, and lovingly meet all my needs. AMEN