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“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 Job felt 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.
God 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.
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’s name I pray, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
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 CLICK HERE to write a prayer of response on the wall of my blog.
Can’t wait to hear what’s on your heart. I really love doing life with you!
Warmest Blessings,
GWEN
FREE FOR YOU!!!
Comments 23
Thank you so much!
I had a dream last night that I walk out of a church service and I felt angry at God in my dream since I did not feel Him there. I did not experience His presence and I did not experience Him in the people. Then in my dream I left the church building searching for my husband but I could not find him. He then phones me and says he has been hiding from me, watching me afar off, as I search for him. Immediately I was angry at him for hiding from me. As I was sitting on my porch pondering this strange dream, I realized that God is speaking to me…saying that I feel that He is hiding Himself from me. I have been going through so many struggles the past couple of years. Seeking God in it all and sometimes feeling that He hides Himself from me. I know this is not true, but it does feel so real. Thanks for the scripture and reminder of the truth.
Thank you.
Lord, help me tune in and focus on the prayer today, in Jesus’ name!
1. Haven’t been feeling good today.
2. 2 friends are not seeing eye to eye, and one is in management, and one, breaking rules, and exaggerating and adding to what the first one said, making her look bad. Loudly, in the common area where all could hear.
Lord! Have YOUR way, and give me Your wisdom, and Your Spirit, as things go on.
I am involved with both of these gals.
FOCUS (talking to myself).
Thank you.
I have learned over the years that when God feels far away that is when he is the closest.
I’ve been on my own for five long years hoping to meet someone after a very disheartening divorce. I’m so angry anymore because I feel left behind. My family pretty much has no contact because from my own parents divorce they are distant from any family and all my siblings have just disconnected and don’t trust any relationship in our family. No one speaks to one another. Its so disheartening. I feel with the lack of companionship I’m sinking in to a hole of just non existence. Being catholic makes that very difficult watching other families together at church, big families. Anyway, I just am angry a lot lately from just being alone. I pray that God will bring the right person in to my life, but my life remains quiet. I question my purpose and just go about routine life. I am fortunate for good friends, but as I age I feel that just being not enough. I truly think God has forgotten me and honestly have given up asking him for anything.
At times I feel I hide from His presence when I feel I am failing at something I am trying to overcome . I dont want to be a failure and I get ashamed of my actions. Because I know that they are wrong at times , seems easier to hide from His presence than to deal with the issues at hand. I know God loves me and He deserves for me to not hide from Him. This has really ministered to me today . Thank you !
Thank you for this devotional. I cried when reading this, felt so hidden from his presence. I needed to hear this. He will never leave me nor forsake me! Thank you Lord.
I feel like God is hiding all the time. But then I also close my eyes and ears to his presence and voice still expecting to find him. Lord help me to cling to everything that resembles you and strip away everything that draws me further from your call of life. The spirit is often willing but the flesh is weak and I confess that I need you every second of the day. Thank you for sending women like Gwen and may we continue to look to be one body in not hiding all that you have already shared with us with others.
Hi, sometimes I feel not only is he hiding from me but I feel like I’m not connected
With God. Every now and again I don’t want to read his word even though he knows my heart…I just wanna know why do I feel like that. Sometimes I read his words and times like now I’m just not interested. I recently had problems with my heart and by the grace of God the Dr. called this morning and said my heart is fine.
In my heart I know only God….I do still pray but not like I should…what’s wrong with me Cynthia
Lord, I am very overwhelmed with this season of life. I do sometimes feel like I am lost on an island by myself. Thank you so very much for Resurrection Day and the power of your reminder that you did this for me. I thank you for this message and the reminder that you are not hiding from me and that you are with me every step of the way. Help me to feel you enormous love in this not so loving world. Help me to hear your voice in the noise of this clanging place we call life. I wish to follow you and you alone! I try Lord to give you the glory!! In the precious name of Jesus–AMEN!
Today’s Devotional was such a blessing to me. I know that God Loves me and is near me but sometimes I wonder why I still feel so alone and overwhelmed. Today I want to seek GOD with my whole heart and trust that everything that I am grappling with right now is in his hands. The outcome will be what he has already ordained for my life and it will be good no matter what.
What I crave most is peace. My peace will come from trusting GOD completely and learning to smile and have joy in the face of the storms which threaten to overtake me.
I had felt so lost and alone. There was this day I went to church and the sermon, songs, all talked to me that I had found my home, found my lord, found my way. Then the song amazing grace played, which has been my song since I was a bad youth. I cried that day and cry every time I talk about it. The Lord told me he found me and I found him. My heart is his and his alone!
God is the one constant in my life in whom I can always count on. His love never fails us.
Thank you Lord for your presence in my life. I forget that you are always there. It was a nice reminder today that Gwen gave us. Help me to always focus my attention towards you Lord. You are the first I have to Honor in all that I do today and always.
I do not know how anyone can make it through life day after day without God. I do admit, that He use to be my last resort, but not anymore. I go running to Him for everything now. (Wondering if He ever says, “You again?”)
When I give it to Him to take care of, I just sit back and watch Him work. Truly amazes me.
A friend and I were talking about a problem she’s having and she said “If God takes care of this…” I said, “No, not if, how will He take care of it.”
Thank you Gwen for your devotions…God is using you to speak to me and many others. God Bless.
I feel like God is hiding. I am trying to make an important decision in my life, have been fasting for 2 days now with prayer and bible reading, waiting on God for an answer. I know that I need to focus more on God than the problem, but sometimes so hard to do. God does have a plan, I just want to make sure I listen to Him and not my self and give in to feelings. Prayers are welcome! Enjoy your articles daily!
Thank you for the beautiful message. That is where I am right now. The Lord has broken me back into beautiful but so much has happened since that I feel like HE IS HIDING.My husband has been retrenched twice in one year and we are on the brink of complete financial ruin. We love the Lord with all our hears and just cannot understand why He is hiding. Please lift us up in prayer for God to reveal his masterplan
Father, thank You for your promise to always be with me. Today I feel abandoned, alone, and unwanted. These are just feelings and Ibknwo the Truth of Your Word and I stand on it and proclaim you will never leave me or forsake me! Help my heart agree with my mind Father. Help me to know you are near. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dear Lord, There are times when I go about my day, not even saying ” Good Morning”. Then I wonder why I am unavailable to function and think Straight, but I Thank You Jesus, that you are Always with me, never hiding from you as I instead hide from You. Help to take time for You or at least say “Good Morning” and ” Good Nite” to You.
I need Jesus Name, Amen.
Lord it is great to know that you are always with me. If I do not feel your presence is because I have hid. Please help me Lord in all walks of my life daily to always know you are right there with me, even when I feel alone or when I feel I have messed things up. I know you are there. Please I ask you to take me and guide me this day in every step of the way. Help me to be a blessing to someone today and to let them know you are always there. Help me to take time to always listen to you and let you guide me. Thank you Lord for your love and your guidance. In Christ name I pray.
The story about your son reminded me of when our son was about that age. He and his sister were playing hide and seek with my husband and me. We finally found him curled up on a top shelf of a hall closet. That was the only shelf in the closet and I still wonder how in the world he got up there. He had the biggest smile when he was found because he was so proud that he had found such a perfect hiding place. When I seek God and find Him, He smiles upon me because He knows my heart and wants to meet my every need.
Abba, I belong to You!
Sometimes ,oh Lord,I’m overwhelmed by the circumstances of life simply because I haven’t learned to be overwhelmed with your presence. Overwhelm me Oh Lord with the greatness of who you are. I have hidden myself in the multitude of my busyness and today I am found by you. Teach Lord not to hide but when you call to come out of your place of hiding to listen. Thank you Lord.