My wife and I see it almost every day. We have three grandchildren who are toddlers. Whenever one of them falls, bumps their head, or gets a toy taken away, they immediately run crying, with outstretched arms, to mommy or grandma. They know where to find comfort, protection, and healing from what hurts. The truth is, it gives us great pleasure to take them in our arms, kiss their hurts, and sooth their aching hearts. Where do you run in times of trouble?

David made it his habit of life to frequently run to the Lord God Almighty when his heart was hurting and life was troubled. He told the Lord, “Thou art my hiding place and my shield…” (Psalm 119:114). In Psalm 27:5 he writes, “For in time of trouble He (the Lord) shall hide me in His pavilion, in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me. ” He believed His

God would care for those who were godly. He wrote, “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man…” (Psalm 31:20). His testimony was, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation [being delivered], and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2). Every word in this description resonates with deep meaning as David explained why he ran to the Lord often with his problems. Yes, David believed that God would often intervene in his behalf when trials came his way. But he also knew, through experience, that the Lord does not always choose to do so. When this was the case, he realized it was an occasion to find great comfort, strength, refuge, and emotional healing in a deepening relationship with the Great Almighty.

Perhaps David summarizes it best in Psalm 31:23-24 when he writes, “O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Where do you run when your heart is hurting? The next time your heart is troubled, don’t try to carry your burden alone or turn to the failing help of man. Instead, run to the Lord! He will comfort and strengthen your soul. He may also choose to intervene in response to your coming to him in prayer.