Lamentations 3:22-24 “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

To reach every mountain top you must travel through a valley. It is easy to be grateful to God when you are shouting from the mountain tops. The valley that we all endure at some point in life are what we call adversities. It is during those times of adversity when we face the toughest days, when we’re going through the harshest battles, it is then that we must draw closer to Jesus, rely heavily on our Christian family, trust God to answer those prayers and cry out to God to strengthen us to get through it.

Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Don't run from God when things get tough..... run to Him. He is the only true comfort you will find. He is the only true hope you have. He is the only true way to get through anything you face. You can't fix it, God can. You may be weak but God is strong. You may be scared but God is courageous. You may be sick but God is the Great Physician and powerful healer. You may feel lost but if you know God then go to Him and He will wrap you in His arms to comfort you. You may actually be spiritually lost, we have all been there but through Jesus Christ by the Grace of God you can be found, saved and gifted eternal life. To those who know God don’t forget that God is there for you in good times and in bad and He wants to help you through the bad times and be with you during the joyous celebrations of the good times. Go to God in all things, He is the answer. Focus on seeking refuge and strength in Him rather than turning away in fear, guilt, or disobedience Instead of escaping His presence, we are called to approach Him with confidence, knowing He is our ever-present help.

Scripture reading

• Psalm 46:1-3: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
• Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Devotional

Life has a way of turning our calm, predictable paths into treacherous terrain. One moment, we feel on solid ground; the next, the earth is giving way beneath our feet. Our natural impulse in a crisis is to run. But the question is, in which direction?

For some, the first instinct is to run away from God. Like the prophet Jonah, we may be tempted to flee His presence when His commands feel too daunting or our circumstances too overwhelming. Or perhaps, like Adam and Eve, we hide in shame, believing our failures have made us unworthy of His love. The enemy uses our fear, guilt, and pride to convince us that isolating ourselves is the safest option. But running away is a lie; it leads us further into loneliness and despair. 

The truth is that our safest refuge is not away from God, but in His very presence. This is the radical invitation of Psalm 46:1, which calls us to find shelter in God who is both our powerful strength and our “very present help”. The original language suggests that God is “exceedingly” present in our greatest trials, right in the center of the storm. The storms of life will come but the psalmist assures us we do not need to fear, because the God of the universe is our fortress.

Hebrews 4:16 builds on this promise, inviting us to approach God’s throne with confidence, not hesitation. Through the work of Jesus, who experienced every human weakness, the path to God’s presence is not blocked but is wide open. we are welcomed to a “throne of grace” where mercy is available for our failures and grace is ready for our every need. There we find a timely help, perfectly tailored to our specific crisis.

Running to God in tough times is not an act of willpower but of humble trust. It means surrendering our need for control and accepting His loving care, even when we can’t see the path ahead. It means laying down our burdens at His feet instead of carrying them alone. When you feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or guilty, remember that your Father is not distant or disappointed. he is a loving rescuer who rushes to your side when you call His name. 

Reflection Questions

1. Are you facing a challenge right now that makes you want o run and hide God? Why?
2. What does it look like for you to ”come boldly” to God’s throne of grace today?
3. How can you remind yourself in the midst of a storm that God is your ever-present help?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for always being my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Forgive me for the times I have turned away from you in fear or shame, believing the lie that I am safer alone. Strengthen my faith to turn to you, casting my anxieties upon you because you care for me. Thank you for the mercy and grace available through Jesus. I pray these things in the name of my Lord, my powerful and mighty Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.