Everybody loves fireworks… unless you have a baby or a dog… Then the beautiful lit up sky full of colors, wonder, and awe does not even come close to annoyance one gets from the loud sounds making the baby or dogs unhappy.
Well, this year my baby was 20 months. Due to COVID, we chose to stay in our backyard to watch the neighbors set off their fireworks. (It was a great show by the way.) The kids played as the sun went down, little baby boy right beside them.
Then that first firework went off. Immediately my baby came screaming and needing to be held. But as soon as he was in momma’s arm, he was calm. The next firework went off, I pointed, we looked, he smiled. No tears. No fear.
So, I put him back down to play.
However, the next firework that went off, also sent him crying running back to momma’s arms.
It seemed like this was going to be a theme throughout the night. Fireworks were fine, as long as he knew he was safe with his mom.
As the night went on, he started to just look at the fireworks in awe without needing to be with mom.
I think this is a beautiful picture of how we should be in relationship to God. When life gets us frazzled, scared, worried, or just uncomfortable, we should be running to Him. Let Him be our source of comfort. Let Him guide us, teach us, and show us how to manage that fear. Some fears are good, healthy fears. Some are irrational. We need to know the difference, but we cannot figure it all out on our own. We need to run to the One who can offer true comfort and guidance. The One who can give us true peace.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46: 1
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:8
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:8
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
The Psalms are filled with authors who knew the character and nature of our LORD. In times of trouble, in times of praise/worship, in seeking wisdom, in all times, those character traits do not change. Our God is an unchanging, always, and forever God. He is the Creator. The Alpha and Omega.
We are the created. We are the clay. Yet, the Creator of the universe. The unchanging, always and forever LORD of all, cares about me. And about you. About all of us. He wants a relationship with each and every one of us. He wants to be your safe place. He wants you to run to Him in times of trouble. He wants you to run to Him in the good times. He wants you to run to Him for wisdom, truth, understanding. He wants you to know Him!
It is my prayer that the children of God, will see Him as their safe place, their Shelter, their Comfort, the Shield from the storm. Run to Him!