Run and Hide
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
My dog, Kobee is very panicky and has rightfully earned his nickname “Scaredy Cat.” Sudden noises cause him to run to the other side of the room. He barks at an item out of place just because it looks like it might fall with a resounding loud noise. He is definitely frightened by the thunder or anything that sounds similar to it. One tiny rumble sends him running back to the door. He dashes into the house with his tail tucked low and as quickly as possible he is underneath the bed. We always attempt to coax him out and bring him into our laps to console him, but he prefers to be under the bed alone. The day after a storm finds him lingering close to the bed just in case he needs to take quick cover in his hiding place.
When he is so frightened, I desperately want his trembling body on my lap, underneath a blanket, but he strongly resists my efforts. Why does he feel safer alone than in my loving arms? There’s comfort, security and warmth in my arms. I scratch his favorite spots and sneak him extra treats, but he constantly pulls away, longing to hide underneath the dusty bed.
Sound familiar?
Truth be told, we often feel better in our own self-made safe place hideouts than in trusting Almighty God. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but am I not correct on this? His arms are wide open and in Him is perfect protection, shelter and safety, yet we crawl into our safe place and tremble through the night. Hidden away in the dark, we miss all of His special attention and provision. We live lonely, fearful, hidden and isolated lives because we are too afraid to trust God or the people that He sends our way. We do it our own way and work ourselves into a frenzy when all the time God’s provision is right there beside us.
Trials and scary circumstances are wonderful opportunities to run into Him instead of running away from Him. I find the times that I trust Him in the scary and panicky places to be some of the greatest times of intimacy with the Lord. It is the very place that I learn to trust Him more and more.
The psalmist testifies from personal experience:
“You Jehovah are my Hiding Place and my shield. I have put my hope in and confidently rest on Your word.” Psalm 119:114
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
Jesus Christ is our HIDING PLACE. He is not a place to turn when we are afraid, but a place that we live. I am in Him and He is in me. So when I am afraid I pause to picture this shelter that I live within.
T. Austin Sparks says it well: “Indeed, our trial may continue unabated, and yet we are ‘lifted up’ and enabled by the Spirit to supernaturally experience the security and safety of our ever available, all powerful, all sufficient HIDING PLACE, Christ Jesus. So remember that true security and safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of Christ in us and us in Him, regardless of the danger.”
“Lord, I run into You and Your powerful name. In You I find shelter, safety and provision.
I want to trust You when I am so afraid.
You are my refuge, my shelter, my Hiding Place.
Your arms are always better than any other place I try to hide.”
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