Hiding

Hiding is a game as old as humanity has existed.

“O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.” Psalm 69:5 NLT.

My thoughts and comments today are about, “Hiding.”

Hiding began in the Garden of Eden and continues today. “And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam, ‘Where are you? we were afraid and hid ourselves.’” Genesis 3:8-9 NKJV. Realizing their nakedness, Adam and Eve first covered themselves from each other and then, recognizing their disobedience, they hid from God. Nothing much has changed. Clearly, they were avoiding God; yet all the while, God was seeking them. Hiding only delays the inevitable, and enhances the fear in the interim. “O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.” Psalm 69:5 NLT.

Hiding from God is as old as humanity has existed. Hiding from your better self begets hiding from others which results in hiding from God. Have you ever wondered why you are not more committed to seeking God? Could it be that you realize that if you succeed, God will also have found you? And maybe you are not fully ready for God to find you. Like Adam, you may have recognized some things about yourself that cause you to want to cover up, and covering up makes you afraid of being found out, and being found out makes you try to conceal yourself all the more. Hiding from God is futile and never succeeds. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 NIV. See also Mark 4:22 NLT.

Notice how and where Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. “[They] sowed leaves together and hid themselves among the trees of the Garden.” With and among the very things God had given them for shade, shelter, and sustenance, they chose to hide themselves from the Creator of all. Read Genesis 1:29 NIV. People do the same thing today, using the very things God has given us for blessing and provision – our family, friendships, jobs, money, possessions, pleasure, or recreation – to hide ourselves from God and each other. God was saddened with the obvious separation Adam and Eve imposed upon their relationship with God. And what you hide from God eventually diminishes or disallows authentic fellowship with others.

Be apprised, there is a day when, “God will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time, each will receive His praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV. I have learned that the Holy Spirit exposes sin for you to see sin as God sees it, harmful and destructive to you and others, a painful source of separation between God and His creation. Our Creator enjoys fellowship with His creation. God’s attitude toward you never changes, “I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me.” Proverbs 8:17 NKJV. You seek God when you are most honest and open with yourself and Him. His response is always with grace.  Read Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV.

I remember my Godly grandmother’s advice, “Confession is good for the soul.” She was right, though it rarely felt good until later. Confession with repentance is simply your coming out of hiding, realizing that you need to be more afraid of sin than fearful of an altogether righteous God. The Psalmist was correct; “O Lord, You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.” Read Psalm 139:1-6 NIV. Rather than discomfiting, our Father’s loving awareness of who you are and where you are should be comforting.  See 1 John 1:7-2:2 NIV.

Today, I pray for you to walk in Godly fear and reverence, but without being afraid.

Christian Communications 2017

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