April 16 – Reading 106

APRIL 16 – Reading 106

by John Christian Pra | April 16

“WHERE DO YOU RUN?”
(2 Samuel 21:1-22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8; 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33; Psalm 35:1-28)

“Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the LORD.” – 1 Chronicles 21:1

Where do you run when you are looking for help? As a child, I can remember running into my parent’s room at night when I was scared. Or when I was confused, I would run to them to ask questions. What if I told you God was looking for us to run to Him in all circumstances? 

Regardless of the situation feeling big or small to us, God desires us to draw near and seek Him. David understood this and had a relationship with the Lord that caused Him to seek His face when in times of need. After a three year famine, David began to discern that something deeper was at play, so he sought the face of God. 

This is essentially what prayer is. Seeking God’s face. The language used here is intentionally relational revealing both God’s heart and our posture when we come to prayer. David was familiar with the need to seek God’s face. Just in today’s passages, we read about numerous situations where David needed guidance from God. 

Today, my question for you is: where do you run? Not only when you’re in need or desperate, but what about when you have good things happen in your life? Who do you tell first? Who do you give thanks to first? In times of confusion, who do you seek? In times of anxiety, how do you cope? 

Where we run reveals who we trust. And God desires us to build a relationship with Him that causes us to seek His face before anyone or anything else.

Reflections:

• Who do you run to first in good times or bad times? 
• What does prayer look like in your life? Can it be described as “seeking God’s face”?
• What guidance do you need in life that you can seek the Lord for?

Application: 

• Prayer is seeking God’s face. Take time today to bring your questions and needs to God. Spend 10 minutes seeking His face and growing in relationship with Him.
• What places do you normally run to before God? Maybe they aren’t bad, but take time to reprioritize who you run to. 
• Where you run reveals who you trust. How can you step into deeper trust with God today?

Closing Prayer…
Jesus, I thank you for hearing my prayers. Thank you that when I seek your face, you reveal yourself to me. I come before you today seeking your face and desiring you above all else. I come to you today with my questions, my confusions, my needs, and my joys. I realize that there is nothing too small or too big for your attention, so teach me to run to you before anyone or anything else. Thank you for loving me and drawing near to me. I ask that you guide me today and reveal to me what you desire me to see. Amen.