we will trust in the name of our God (so goes Psalm 20:7). In doing sermon prep for this coming Lord’s day, I’m working through Hosea 5 and came down to v.13 which says, “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the great king. But he is not able to cure you or heal your wound.” Seems kind of staggering doesn’t it? I mean picture that, the God who had done so much for these people to redeem them, rescue them, stand by them, was abandoned for a foreign king when the stress was high.

You may think that you would never be guilty of such a thing, but to what idols do you run when things are tough? Maybe you are stressed so you run after chocolate, a stiff drink, a friend who will listen to your gossip, or you simply take out your stress on your friends and family. We do the same thing: we run after other kings to help us.

Here’s a course, though – God’s Word tells us that the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous man runs into it and is safe (Proverbs 18:10). Next time the stress is building, don’t compound your problems by running after things that won’t help. Turn to the name of the Lord — the very embodiment of all that He is and does. Run to Him. Find safety and rest for your soul there.