Where Are You Hiding?
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.”
Psalm 119:114
After a long year of not seeing my kids and grandkids who live in Seattle, my house is suddenly filled with laughter, fun and busy activity. A three-week visit has brought many new memories to carry us for another season. Our quiet lives were not accustomed to all the loud talking, screaming, laughter, running and play. I knew I was going a little crazy when I was trying to figure out how to hide under the tiny table with my fluffy little Shih Tzu.
The abundance of space in our house made for a wonderful hide and seek game. Doors swung wide and every little nook and cranny provided perfect hiding places. It was obvious that mom had taught young River how to play the game. When she hid from him, she would make a slight little sound to give him a hint of her place of hiding. Big brother Titus began to count to ten and then announced the familiar, “Ready or not here I come!” I couldn’t contain the laughter when River began to make soft little “Whoo-hoo” sounds from his laundry room hiding place--just like mom had taught him to do. For him it was the right way to play, not understanding that big brother would easily and quickly find him. At other times he was in full view underneath a chair or table, but to his four-year old mind, he was safely tucked away.
Do you ever feel like God is playing hide and seek and doesn’t even give a “whoo hoo” identifying Himself?
He has made Himself known to us in many ways, but He doesn’t always show up the way that we want.
Oftentimes I find Him to be silent, but I know according to His word, He hears me and He will answer.
Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and he will say, “Here I am.“ Isaiah 58:9
I believe that God actually loves hide and seek. To Him it is not a game but the road to intimacy. As we hunger and thirst for Him, seeking Him, He promises to be found. And not only to be found, but to provide everything that we need.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
At other times we are the ones pretending to hide just like Adam and Eve in the garden. We know that we are not living according to God’s word and we just want to hide and not be found out or held accountable.
Overwhelming life situations and fear can also cause us to want to hide. Well, I am learning that all hiding is not a bad thing. Of course we can’t hide from God, but we can hide in Him. He is our hiding place.
He has made Himself a safe place tucked away from all that seeks to come against us.
You don’t have to find your own little unprotected hiding place. He is our refuge, our strong tower, and our fortress.
Feeling a bit exposed today?
Run into Him.
Overwhelmed and afraid?
Hide in Him.
Tired and weary, needing a place to rest?
Lean into Him and be held.
Feeling chased down by your enemies?
Rest under His wings in the secret place.
I Am Your Hiding Place
You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
Psalm 27:5
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 31:20
For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Psalm 61:3