Hiding from God - Martin Wiles

Destruction is certain for those who try to hide their plans from the Lord, who try to keep him in the dark concerning what they do! Isaiah 29:15 NLT

The four deer thought they were hidden, but they were in plain view.

Around 11 am, my wife and I started on a hiking trail in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We quietly talked about various matters and enjoyed the beauty of nature as we watched evidences of spring pop up all around us. As I glanced up the mountainside, a doe appeared. Then we noticed several yearlings with her. The little family strolled along, nibbling on greenery, obviously thinking they were hidden. 

Just as the deer imagined the bare trees concealed them, so many in Isaiah’s day thought they could get through life—making their own plans, while ignoring God. 

Adam and Eve started this failed attempt to hide from God when they disobeyed God’s instructions. When they realized the consequences of their disobedience, they tried to hide. God found them. Then they tried to make excuses. Adam blamed Eve who in turn blamed the serpent. 

Since God is everywhere at once, my attempts to hide from Him because I’ve sinned—or to hide my plans from Him because I don’t want His input—are useless. God sees all things at once, me included. But a more important question is why I would want to hide myself or my plans from Him in the first place. 

As with Adam and Eve, sin is the normal reason for my attempts at hiding. Adam and Eve played the denial game, then the making excuses game, and finally the blame game. None of their games worked then, and they don’t now. I’ve tried them all—and I’m not alone. 

When I sin or stray from God, attempting to hide isn’t the answer. God isn’t mean, nor does He sit in heaven waiting for me to mess up so He can get joy out of punishing me. He loves with an eternal love and wants to be involved in my life so I can experience a level of living that can only be known with Him as my guide. Coming out into the open with the details of my life might be frightening—after all, it’s a faith thing—but doing so is the only way to live life as He planned for me to do. 

Rather than trying to camouflage yourself from God, come out into the open and let Him have full control of your life.

Prayer: Father, when we attempt to hide our sin or our plans from You, pull us out into the open through confession and trust. 

Looking for a wide selection of genres in Christian books at discount prices? Use coupon MWiles for 20% off. Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.