READ: ISAIAH 41:10-14; 49:14-16; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11

I saw a young child get off a school bus today— and go right into the waiting embrace of his mom. As she straightened up, he wrapped his arms around her neck, resting his head against her shoulder. I wondered if something had happened at school today, or if maybe he was just tired from being gone from home for several hours. It made me think of how God invites us to go to Him whenever we feel like that little boy, whenever we need someone’s arms to rest in.

This broken world we live in can be a scary place. When the darkness around us makes us long for an escape, we can always go to the arms of God and receive comfort. He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). God sees everything we’re going through, and He longs for us to be with Him. That’s why Jesus came—He died for us and rose from the grave so that He could be with us forever.

Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that, no matter what, God will hold you. You don’t have to face anything alone. God is waiting, ready to be there for you.

When life in this broken world just makes you tired, when you can’t go on in your own strength any longer, you can go to God. He is your compassionate Father who will carry you. Like the little boy going from the bus to the arms of his mom, you can go from a busy and tiring day to the arms of God—and rest secure in His embrace. • Emily Acker

• Jesus is Immanuel, which literally means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have full access to God, and nothing can separate you from His love (John 10:11, 27-30; Romans 8:35-39; Hebrews 4:14-16). If you want to know more about what it means to put your trust in Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page.

• What kinds of things in our broken world make you feel worn out or long for an escape? How could it be helpful to remember that God is with us in the midst of the brokenness, and that Jesus will one day return to raise us from the dead and make all things new—free from sin and death and evil and pain? (Revelation 21:1-5)

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)