They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
Sometimes when our grandsons come to our house, they like to play hide and seek. It is such a different game than when I was a kid. As children, they have not yet learned how many clues they may give away in the process of hiding nor have they learned to listen for clues that I may offer. As an adult, I’ve learned to listen for those clues. Fairly certain of their hiding places, I usually take extra the time to “search” rather than going directly to them which allows for more enjoyment of the game on their part.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, I believe that we often try to hide from God. Three common reasons we do this are: like Adam and Eve, it may be due to sin; there may be trials in our lives that cause us to doubt God’s goodness and love for us; or it may be as simple as lack of engagement in our spiritual life. Pulling away from God is exactly where Satan wants us as it leaves us open to temptation. Through his lies, he seeks to either turn us from God or at least immobilize us and lose our passion for God and engaging in the work that Lord may have planned for us.
Similar to my grandsons’ attempts to hide from me, it is laughable for us to believe that we can actually hide from God considering that one of His attributes is omnipresence. If He is present everywhere, where can we hide. While we as Christians may understand this fact intellectually, our behavior would suggest otherwise. Therefore, as a refresher, consider the following passages. “‘Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:24) “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13) “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.” (Psalm 139:7-8) While it may be a bit frustrating for our independent spirits to think that there is no place that allows us to put distance between ourselves and God, it should truly be a source of solace and strength for it also means that God is always present to comfort and guide us no matter what we face or what weakness and fatigue we may feel in our spiritual or physical life. He is our ever present aide.
Truly Adam and Eve had sinned against God, yet turning from Him was not the right response just as it is never the proper response for us. Hiding from God in times of sin deprives us of the reconciliation that we so desperately need. God is our loving Heavenly Father who forgives those who repent. Lest there be any doubt, ponder these reminders. “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) When we hide from God in our sin, we open the door for further sin. However, when we seek Him, confess our sin and change our behavior, we find compassion, grace, forgiveness, refreshment and guidance.
When significant trials come, our emotions often take over and cause us to turn away from God rather than run to Him. The fact that we may not understand God’s planning and the pain included in our lives does not negate His love or His promises to us. When we find ourselves unable to trust God because of the trials in our lives or we feel that His love for us has waned, we must fall on His wisdom, truth and promises more than relying on our own wisdom or emotions. It is important in those moments to seek God, His consolation and grace rather than allowing Satan to take hold of our doubt and encourage us to reject God. We do this by focusing on passages such as these. “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways’, declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9) “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jerimiah 29:11) “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14) “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Finally, there are times when we simply let our passion wane and drift. It is a more passive version of hiding. Maybe we are fatigued physically or spiritually from meeting the needs of others and don’t feel that we have any energy to engage with God, illness or trials may have drained us, or we may want a respite from God’s work to mature our faith. Whatever the reason, we are giving Satan the opportunity to impede our participation in the work of Christ and spiritual growth. This too is unhealthy. Again, the remedy is to seek God, as Christ did regularly during His ministry, rather than hiding from Him. He knew that His relationship with the Father was important and His source of strength. Rather than hiding from God, we need to seek Him and allow Him, as our protector, to strengthen and hide us. Instead of hiding from Him we need to hide in Him. The following represent the true wisdom that should override our thoughts and emotions. “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.” (Psalm 31:19-20) “Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed.” (Psalm 28:6-8)
Hiding from God due to fear, anguish, frustration, doubt, distrust, fatigue, passivity, laziness or any other reason is folly for in that moment that we choose to turn from God, we are cutting off our support system spiritually, physically and emotionally. Depending on our attitude, we may even be attempting to elevate our independence above God’s sovereignty and our wisdom above His. This too is foolishness. Yet, if we truly love Him, we seek Him diligently. When we seek Him with our whole hearts and put our trust in Him, He promises that we will indeed find Him. (Psalm 8:17, Jeremiah 29:13, Psalm 9:10) When we find Him: we are forgiven and restored; we receive love, grace, encouragement, consolation, and peace; and we acquire wisdom, strength, and protection.
Seek God and let your heart revive.
Will