Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.

I imagine that some reading this prayer today could be in all manner of places (the end of the earth) and in all manner of circumstances (when my heart is faint). But no matter where you are and no matter the circumstance there are three places you can always run to:

His presence: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

The rock that is higher than I is an image of safety. The safest place to run is to God when you are overwhelmed and stressed – “he will hide you in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal you under the cover of his tent; he will lift you high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5

His presence: Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings

The shelter of your wings is an image of protection. Deuteronomy 32:11 says, “he encircles you, he cares for you, he keeps you as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, he hides you in the shadow of his wings, from the wicked who do violence, the deadly enemy who surrounds you.”

His presence: Appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over me

Love and faithfulness to watch over me is an image of security. Everybody needs a sense of security, an assurance that everything is going to be alright. God delivers this to his children every single day by reassuring them that everything is going to be all right. The scripture says that the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord is what preserves us, and by his steadfast love we are upheld.” Proverbs 20:28

The safest place to run when you are overwhelmed with life’s many woes is right into the arms of Jesus. There you will find all the help you will ever need. Run to him today!