Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Are you a runner? I am not—and I know I probably should be. Today's Scripture gives me some perspective on how I should be running to God.
It comes out of Proverbs chapter 18, verse 10. "The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe."
Picture Yourself as a Kid
I want you to picture yourself as a kid—maybe you are a kid—and something scares you. Who are you running to for protection? It might be your guardian, your mom, your dad, your grandma, your grandpa, an uncle. Pick somebody safe that you know you can run to and hug and squeeze, and they won't let you go. They're going to be the ones that protect you and embrace you. That's what the author of this proverb is saying. If you trust God and you run to Him, He'll keep you safe. He'll be the defender that you need. He'll be the fortress that you need.
What Are You Running To?
So often, I think about how many other people or things I run to, believing they will keep me safe. I run to social media a lot of times because I think if I can compare myself to another person I've never met and feel better about myself, then I feel safe. Or I buy a lot of clothes—I'm a thrifter through and through. My friends know I love to buy thrift store clothes. If I'm not careful, I could compile until my closet can't fit anything else, and I still feel insecure—thinking the more clothing I get, the more secure I'll actually feel. Who are you running to, what are you running to, believing that it will actually keep you safe? This Scripture is challenging to me, and I wonder if it might be challenging to you too. How often are we running to the Lord at all?
More Than Protection
I think about my prayer life and how often I'm only coming to God when I have a question or a need. But this verse says that the godly run to Him and are safe. Maybe the author is inferring here that we don't always have to run to God only when we need protection. Maybe the invitation is a little bit bigger than that. Have you ever thought about your best friend just enjoying time with you? Maybe you run to your friendships and your family because you just enjoy them. When we run to God for more than protection, we run into relationship with Him.
As you're thinking about this, remember the Scripture in Hebrews that says that because of Jesus, we can now boldly approach the throne of grace. We don't have to worry about what we've carried in our past. We don't have to worry about the things that are going to happen in the future. All we need to remember is that Jesus made a way for us to run to God. We find safety with Him, and it doesn't matter why. He just wants to be with us. I encourage you today to take some time. Run into the arms of a loving Father and just be with Him.
