I Run to Christ
“We do not run to Christ on foot, but by believing; nor is it by a motion of the body, but by the inclination of the heart that we draw nigh to Him.” (Augustine of Hippo)
Have your days been marked by anxious fears? Has life worn on you as the curse of thorns and thistles pricked your soul? Has the tempter whispered lies in your ear? Has sin promised you false relief?
You’re not alone - these things happen to all of us. Christ is our only refuge in such storms. The hymn “I Run to Christ” describes six such situations in Christian life and guides us by the hand to Christ’s strong tower. I’ll list them for you:
When chased by fear…
When torn by grief…
When worn by life…
When vexed by hell…
When stalked by sin…
When plagued by shame…
… “I Run to Christ” (Hymns of Faith #108)
VERSE 1:
I run to Christ when chased by fear and find a refuge sure.
“Believe in me,” His voice I hear; His words and wounds secure.
I run to Christ when torn by grief and find abundant peace.
“I too had tears,” He gently speaks; Thus joy and sorrow meet.
“Believe in me” must have been a dear phrase from our Lord’s lips to the beloved apostle John, for he wrote of it often, like in John chapter eleven. As you read this, imagine yourself in Martha’s shoes. Her brother, Lazarus, died before Jesus could come to heal him... Martha is grieving, and “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25–26, ESV).
Oh, believe in Jesus when grief draws you thin like a garment stretched near to tearing. After the visitation with Martha, Jesus went to the funeral, “and he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’” (John 11:34–36, ESV).
… He, too, had tears; see how He loves you. Run to Christ.
VERSE 3:
I run to Christ when stalked by sin and find a sure escape.
“Deliver me,” I cry to Him; temptation yields to grace.
I run to Christ when plagued by shame and find my one defense.
“I bore God’s wrath,” He pleads my case—my Advocate and Friend.
Temptation bears a doubly barbed hook, often setting a second barb of shame for our doubts to twist. It says, “How can you be tempted for such an evil thing?” Unbelieving, God’s children hide in the bushes simply for hearing the serpent’s whisper. And we should; temptation does speak of the weakness and sinfulness of our natures. But haven’t you heard? Jesus saves sinners who come to Him. You’re no more a sinner than any saved by grace, dearly adopted child of mercy. Christ will deliver you.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)
What’s more, He speaks for you. Behold with eyes of faith — your Savior at your side before the throne of God. Can you not hear His testimony? “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV). “Father, for these I died” speaks the High Priest of Heaven, your Advocate and Friend.
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1, ESV)
No matter how your day went, dear friend, run to your Friend, your Advocate, your Defense, your Sure Escape, your Mighty Arm, your Refuge, and Peace. “Run to Christ” by faith and find refreshment for your soul.