(Gen 3:8-9) . . . Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
Do you remember the game of hide and seek when you were growing up? It was a thrill and it never got old. And with all the high-tech games today the kids still like to play hide and seek. You can play it indoors or out. Kids love to hide, and they love to run and be “safe.” But did you know that adults still play that game but in a different way? You see when we sin or even suffer we so often hide from God and the Lord has to seek us out. And that’s not fun for anybody!
Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. And instead of running to God for forgiveness they hid from God amongst the foliage in the garden. As God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day the Lord called out to Adam and said, “Where are you?” Of course, God knew where he was at because He knows everything. But He said it because he wanted Adam to come out of hiding and admit his transgression. He had fallen short. He had missed the mark. And now it was time to stop hiding from God.
Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:2-3). He was running from the calling on his life to preach repentance to the Ninevites. But God found him and sent a great fish to bring him back to his senses and get him back in action.
Peter denied the Lord three times and the rooster crowed! The Bible says he went out wept bitterly (Mat 26:75). But Jesus appeared to Peter after his resurrection and restored him (Lu 24:34; John 21:15-19).
You see, the Lord knows we just love that game of hide and seek. But He wins every time! Why? Because He loves us and desires an unbroken relationship with us. (Rev 3:20) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Why is it we run from God when we should run to Him? (Pro 18:10) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Remember when you were hurt or scared as a child and you would run instantly to your dad or mom? But sometimes in guilt or in anger we hide from God. We feel awful about our sin or we are angry at God for what he has allowed to happen in our lives. But no matter the reason, the Lord still seeks us out when we hide.
We also can hide from others because we are hurting. We don’t want people to see us in this state. We isolate instead of insulate. But a good friend will seek out his friend. That’s just like the Lord! (Luke 19:10) "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Tired of hiding? Start abiding. Run to the Lord and be safe!
Louie