As our daughter is nearing
three years old, I’m getting used to seeing her back…as she runs away.  Down the aisle in the store, across the
living room at home, or even in the parking lot, some days her back is more
familiar to me than her face.  Then there
are those moments: she walks into an unfamiliar environment or goes into her
room and the light is off and I hear her little voice, “Dada, it’s dark.”  Then I feel her little hand wrapping around
my leg.  My presence brings her
security.  The dark of her room isn’t
quite so inky and dreadful when I’m close.

 

When we find ourselves in
unfamiliar environments spiritually or emotionally or when we get into a
situation where the night is inky and thick, where do we run?  Are we running away from our Father or do we
reach out gently asking for comfort? 

 

Maybe it was the author’s
deep desire to be comforted by the Lord inspiring Psalm 71.

 

1 In
you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

let me never be put to
shame.

2 In
your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;

turn your ear to me and
save me.

3 Be
my rock of refuge,

to which I can always go;

give the command to save
me,

for you are my rock and my
fortress.

4 Deliver
me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

from the grasp of those who
are evil and cruel.

Psalm 71:1–4

 

The Psalmist here in Psalm
71 calls out to God in need of deliverance. 
This prayer, recorded for us to benefit from today, reminds of the
reality of the pain but also the greater reality of the God Who walks with us
through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4).

 

There is a great lesson we
must learn well from this part of this Psalm. 
When we face difficulties in this life, we need to cultivate the desire
to run to Him.  Too many times, I fear,
we get into difficulties and the first thing we begin doing is blaming—others
and God.  In this Psalm, however, we learn
the Lord is a refuge for us.  Our hope
for deliverance is not based in our righteousness or ability, but in the
faithful belief in the Lord and His righteousness. 

 

We don’t need to run from
the pain or circumstances of life.  When
life hands us turbulence and high waves, just remember: we serve a risen Lord
who walks the waves (John 6:19-21) and even calms the sea (Matthew 8:23-27)!  Why are we afraid, dear one in Christ?

 

It is in the Lord our hope
is found.  It is in His Name we are
defended.  It is in His power we are
sustained and delivered.  It is in Him we
find rest and peace—even in the middle of the storm.  The words to a recent song from the Hillsongs
Team, “Forever Reign,” would do well to find its way into our playlists:

 

Verse 1

You are good You are good

When there’s nothing good in me

You are love You are love

On display for all to see

You are light You are light

When the darkness closes in

You are hope You are hope

You have covered all my sin

 

Verse 2

You are peace You are peace

When my fear is crippling

You are true You are true

Even in my wandering

You are joy You are joy

You’re the reason that I sing

You are life You are life

In You death has lost its sting

 

Verse 3

You are more You are more

Than my words will ever say

You are Lord You are Lord

All creation will proclaim

You are here You are here

In Your presence I’m made whole

You are God You are God

Of all else I’m letting go

 

Chorus

(Oh) I’m running to Your arms

I’m running to Your arms

The riches of Your love will always be enough

Nothing compares to Your embrace

Light of the world forever reign

 

“Forever Reign”

Jason Ingram | Reuben
Morgan

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