Run to God

Over the years, as a pastor, I have encountered many people who, for various reasons have had their faith shaken or walked away from God. For some, when trouble came into their lives, they cast the blame on God. Others questioned why God did not intervene when desperate circumstances arose. They question how a loving God would allow so much pain and sorrow to be a part of their life. Sometimes, it is easier to blame God for what afflictions have entered their lives, rather than recognize or admit that their own bad choices brought it about. Then again, it could be that, plainly put, we live in a fallen broken world and bad things happen to good people. The tragic reality though , is that for some, instead of running to the only One who can truly help, they run from Him.

Numerous times, I have shared John 10:10a (NASB20), "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." Those who blamed God and ran from Him have failed to recognize who the real enemy is. Blaming God and running from Him causes you to be entangled more deeply with the devil's plans for your destruction.

John 16:33b, " In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The word, 'tribulation', thlipsis in the Greek means: a pressing, pressing together, pressure, oppression, affliction, distress, and straits. The pressure indicated in the use of this word is comparable to the pressure used on grapes when they are crushed and squeezed in a press.

We need to realize that we can not fully comprehend the depth of God's love for us, while we are on this planet. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." We also need to realize that no created thing can separate us from the love of God. Look at Romans 8:39 (NLT), " No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Also, it is important that we know that God has a plan for our lives that is for our good. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) reads, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." No matter what the enemy throws at us to disrupt God's plan, God will intervene when we run to Him. His response to our need will be like that given to a small child who runs into Daddy's arms when there is trouble.

Let us look at some of the situations, occasions, or times of need which come into our lives wherein we should run to God and not from Him.

Run To God:

For Salvation

John 14:6 (NASB20), " Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me."

Acts 4:12 (NASB20), "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved."

For Refuge and Protection

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT), "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!"

Psalm 9:9 and10 (NASB20), "The LORD will also be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, LORD, have not abandoned those who seek You."

Proverbs 14:26 and 27 (NASB20), " In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, by which one may avoid the snares of death."

Psalm 57:1-3 (NLT), "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. 3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness."

Psalm 141:8 (NASB20), "For my eyes are toward You, GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless."

Psalm 34:6 and7 (NASB20), "This wretched man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them."

Psalm 91:1-4 (NLT), "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him. 3 For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."

Psalm 125:2 (NLT), "Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever."

When Betrayed by a Friend

Psalm 55:12-14,16 and 22a (NLT), "It is not an enemy who taunts me--I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me--I could have hidden from them. 13 Instead, it is you--my equal, my companion and close friend. 14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. ... 16 But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. ... 22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

From Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:12 and 13, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

2 Peter 2:9, "then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment"

For Comfort

John 14:16 and 17, Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comfortor), that He may abide with you forever-- 17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

2 Corinthians 7:6, "Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus"

Romans 15:4, " For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." The Scriptures comfort us!

For Wisdom

Daniel 2:20 (NASB20), "Daniel said, "May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him."

2 Timothy 3:15 (NASB20), "and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

James 1:5 (NASB20), "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

For Deliverance

Isaiah 46:4, " Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you."

Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."

Psalm 50:15, " Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

From Fear

Isaiah 43:1, " But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine."

Isaiah 35:4, "Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you."

2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind".

1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

When We Sin

1 John 1:7, " But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 2:1, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

Proverbs 28:13 (NASB20), "One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion."

At Death

Psalm 116:15, " Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones."

John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

Philippians 3:20, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,"

Praise God for the truth and for those who turn to Him to see the reality of His love, strength, blessing and provision.

Many in the world today are saying that God is dead or irrelavent. When you run to Him, you will know their rhetoric is far from true.

The new atheist chaplain at Harvard University, Greg Epstein, told the New York Times, "We don't look to a god for answers. We are each other's answers."

When we see the rampant evil manifesting itself today all over the world, it is obvious that "man" does not have the answers. Only God!

So, I strongly encourage you today, no matter what trial or hardship you are facing - Run to God! When you start to be overcome by stress, run into the arms of your loving heavenly Father. He is our Abba (Daddy) and welcomes us to rest in His embrace.

There, in His presence, you will, beyond a doubt, find the help you need.

Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."