Have you ever played hide and seek with a small child who thinks that you can’t see them if they can’t see you? As adults, we might chuckle and find this display of childhood innocence adorable. However, this type of thought process isn’t unique to children.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:8 (NIV)
In Genesis 3:8, after Adam and Eve had sinned, they tried to hide from the Lord. What was God’s response?
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9 (NIV)
Genesis 3:9 tells us a couple of things. First, Genesis 3:9 tells us that we’re just like God when a beloved child is hiding in plain sight, yet we still ask, “Where are you?” or “Where is little Jimmy? I know he must be around here somewhere.” Only to hear Jimmy giggle as he hears us searching for him. The second and most important thing we learn from Genesis 3:9 is that we cannot hide from God.
There is nowhere we can go that God cannot find us. In Psalm 139, David asks, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psa. 139:7 NIV) As Christians, we rejoice because God knows us. We are encouraged because God will always be with us no matter where we go. Yet, when we think about Adam and Eve and when they “hid” from God, we know it wasn’t a game of hide and seek. Instead, it was a sad reflection of humankind’s inability to comprehend the supremacy of God.
In the book of 1 Kings, we read about someone else who thought they could “hide” from God. At least, they thought they could somehow skirt God’s will.
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
1 Kings 22:30 (NIV)
Shortly before this incident, the prophet Micaiah gave Ahab, the king of Israel, this word from the Lord.
“So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you (emphasis added).”
1 Kings 22:23 (NIV)
Thus, before battle, King Ahab thought he could “hide” from his fate. “Surely,” Ahab must have thought, “If the enemy cannot recognize me, then they cannot harm me, and the Lord’s will cannot be done.” However, nothing can thwart God’s will, as Ahab soon learned.
But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died.
1 Kings 22:34-35 (NIV)
So Ahab met disaster that day, just as Micaiah said. I wonder how many of us might shake our head’s at Ahab’s actions?
While playing hide and seek with little Jimmy while he’s hiding in plain sight is fun, amusing, and a reflection of childhood innocence, we would be wise to remember that God is God. As God, he not only knows everything, he has ordained for everything to happen that does happen. This means that God knows what’s in your heart. Some might find it comforting that God knows our hearts, and with that knowledge, we have an intimacy more remarkable than we can obtain elsewhere, but to those who believe they are hiding something. Well, I can see only shame ahead when what you’ve been “hiding” comes out.
If you’re a Christian and you’ve been hiding something from the Lord, now’s the time to come clean. Now’s the time to turn to your Father, who loves you no matter what, and confess. God already knows and has forgiven you. Still, repenting and restoring your fellowship is best instead of hiding your head in shame.
If you don’t know the Lord, today is the day to turn to your Heavenly Father, who sees and loves you. Indeed, Psalm 139 gives us this insight.
You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb…you saw me before I was born.
Psalm 139:13,16 GNT
If you don’t know God, then know that God knows you and loves you. God doesn’t want anyone to perish but for everyone to come to repentance so they can spend eternity with him. If you want to know God and be saved from your sins, then pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I sincerely repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe you died on the cross and were buried, and God the Father raised you from the dead on the third day. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
