April 18, 2017
When You Feel Like God is Hiding
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Friend to Friend
“Preston! We give up! Come out from where you are hiding!” My kids were playing hide and seek several years ago while my husband and I were upstairs packing for a trip.
Hunter and Kennedy had looked everywhere they could think of for their sly older brother, but couldn’t find him. After a while they gave up.
As I packed, I checked some choice spots in my walk-in closet to see if I could catch a glimpse of the victorious hider.
Nothing.
Several minutes later, as I was loading toiletries into my travel case, the cabinet door beneath my husband’s sink slowly opened. My contortionist son quietly and carefully crawled out from underneath the bathroom sink. He glanced my way, and with a twinkle in his eye said, “Hey mom.”
“Honey!” I replied. “Your brother and sister asked you to show yourself 10 minutes ago. Why did you stay in there so long?”
“I didn’t want them to know where my favorite hiding spot was!” He said in a hushed tone.
I have to admit, I was impressed with his hiding strategy. Seemed pretty savvy for a 10 year-old. He didn’t want to be found and didn’t want to give up his best hiding spot.
Sometimes it can seem like God doesn’t want to be found.
We can feel as if He’s unreachable, hiding on the other side of the cosmos watching Netflix with a DO NOT DISTURB sign on His door. In Psalm 10, the psalmist expressed His frustration to God. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 NIV) In the ashes of despair Job asked God a similar question. “Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?” (Job 13:24)
Even thought the psalmist and Jobfelt this way, it’s important for us to understand this Biblical truth: God never hides. To the contrary, the Bible tells us that He wants to be found. That He is always with us and always sees us. That we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the hands of One who knows everything about us and cherishes us.
God created us to know and to find Him.
And let’s be honest girls, deep inside we all want to be known and loved.
In Psalm 139, David painted an amazing picture of God’s stubborn presence in our lives:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 7-10)
Have you ever felt hidden from God?
Be assured today: you are not.
He sees you and you’re not alone. No matter where you are. No matter what you’ve been through. No matter what you’re going through.
God’s not hiding and He’s not playing childish games. He loves you. He wants to be found by you. He said to the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) The same is true for us. Each time we search for the Lord, we can find Him … and in finding Him we find peace.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, It is comforting to know that you are constantly with me. That You know exactly where I am and what I’m facing. Please hold me fast with Your right hand and guide each moment of my day.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Romans 8:35-39. Nothing can separate us from God’s presence and His love, but sin can hinder our intimacy. Ask God to search your heart and reveal and remove any sin.
What is your hiding strategy? Do you sometimes run from God’s presence? Why? Grapple with this one. Ask the LORD for insight and write about it on the wall of my blog.
More from the Girlfriends
FREE EBOOK:Gwen Smith is a speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and author of the new book, I Want I ALL, which includes a Bible Study Guide right in the back of the book; no extra purchase required. I WANT IT ALL is easy to read yet contains compelling and challenging content. You'll connect with the stories, probably dust off a few heart dreams, think bigger thoughts of God, laugh and smile a lot, search your soul, and even cry a little ... because each page lovingly directs you to the personal grace and truth of JESUS.
(CLICK HERE to get a FREE Downloadable “7 Day I WANT IT ALL” Devotional Ebook.)
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