Hide and Seek

“But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid.”  And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?  Have you eaten from the tree that I told you not to eat from?”   Genesis 3:9-11

Most of us have played the game of “hide and seek” with our children and/or grandchildren when they were young.  Much of the time, we already knew where they were hiding before we called out to them and began our search.  We only pretended that we didn’t know the whereabouts of their “secret” location. Finally, with giggles and delightful squealing, we exposed their hiding place and the game was over. 

In the scripture referenced above, God came looking for Adam, even though he already knew where he was.  Adam and Eve were hiding out of shame because they had disobeyed God’s specific command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.   Unlike the game of “hide and seek” mentioned above, God was not playing games with Adam and Eve. 

So it is with all of God’s creation.  We sometimes play “hide and seek” with the LORD, not realizing that the game is futile.  Because, you see, God knows where we are at all times.  He knows our hearts and our innermost thoughts.  We cannot hide from him.  

God wants to change the attitudes and actions of our hearts, but we must first come before him in humility and honesty, exposing our true self.  That is not always easy because sometimes we don’t like to admit that we are in need of his help.  

Each day, we have a choice to make.  We can continue playing the useless game of “hide and seek” with God, or we can look to him through faith in Jesus Christ for our strength and guidance.  We can choose a hope-filled life with eternal benefits by being honest with God and coming to him just as we are.  Making this decision each day gives us the peace and assurance that we are always in his loving care.   

Today, let’s make the choice to seek God for direction, comfort, and peace.  May we choose to follow Jesus at all cost.

 

Prayer:  Father, bless each person reading these words.  Help us to put away our game of “hide and seek” with you.  May we live in obedience to your Word and keep nothing hidden from you. Grant that others will see transparency in our daily lives. Help us to always be a living testimony of your faithfulness and love.   In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen

Additional Scriptures:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7 NIV

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”  Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

“You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.”   Psalm 4:7 NASB

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23 NLT