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“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.” — Psalm 71:3, NIV
No matter who you are, you have probably realized that life can be painful and hard. At times, it can seem as if our troubles are drowning us, and the more we try to escape them, the more they consume us.
When we have these times, we have a choice. We can fall into the arms of Jesus and embrace His presence and His peace, or we can turn toward something or someone other than God, which leads to more heartbreak.
“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.” — Hebrews 4:16, NIV
Maybe people have already advised you to “run” into the arms of Jesus. Sometimes during our hardest moments, however, we do not have any strength to run. Rather than run to Him, all we can do is fall into the arms of Jesus and sit in His presence, like a toddler stumbling into the arms of their father.
As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit within us, which means that we can always, figuratively, fall into the arms of Jesus. We do not have to look or feel a certain way or be in a specific place; rather, we can go to Jesus where we are and be certain that He will always accept us.
Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach God’s throne where we can find help when we are in need. No matter our circumstances, whether we are joyful and thankful or distraught and hurting, He will be there for us and listen to our prayers in our times of need.
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” — Psalm 91:4, NIV
We all crave safety and security. After all, no one wants to feel endangered or anxious. During times of danger, we can be safe in the arms of Jesus. Psalms 91 compares God’s protection to a bird using its wings as a covering or refuge. God doesn’t always protect us from uncertainty or risk, but He is always there for us to lean on.
1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” This means that we can bring our worries to our Heavenly Father.
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV
Security and rest go hand-in-hand. When we feel safe and at ease, we often give ourselves permission to relax. Finding safety in the arms of Jesus can lead to finding rest in the arms of Jesus. 2 Corinthians calls this “being renewed day by day.” We can rely on Jesus to help us carry our burdens and hardships.
When we go into the presence of the Son of God, we are no longer using our own strength; rather, we are trusting in the Lord. When we trust Jesus, we are able find rest in the fact that He has a plan for us and that we have a future with Him.
Do you want to learn more about God’s word? Explore Grand Canyon University’s College of Theology, which offers theology and ministry degree programs to challenge you to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, click on the Request Info button at the top of your screen.
