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 the landscape hid them, but they stood 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 evidence of spring appear 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 the foliage concealed them.

 

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

 

Adam and Eve started this failed attempt to hide from God when they disobeyed God’s instructions about not eating from a particular tree. When they realized the consequences of their disobedience, they tried to hide. God found them. Then they played the blame game. Adam blamed Eve who in turn blamed the serpent.

 

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

 

As with Adam and Eve, sin is the normal reason for our 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.

 

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

 

Instead of camouflaging yourself from God, come out into the open and let him have full control of your life.

Father, when I try to hide my sin or plans from you, pull me into the open through confession and trust.

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Beauty Amidst the Clouds - Martin Wiles

The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:17 NLT

At first glance, it appeared we’d see nothing.

Balsam Mountain Road. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and about halfway between Maggie Valley and Cherokee, North Carolina. A road rising to just over 5300 feet in elevation. An asphalt road that ends in a loop, but a gravel road that continues another 20 miles to Cherokee. A road that hosts a primitive campground at the end. This was our destination.

As my wife and I turned off the Blue Ridge Parkway and began our ascent, clouds thickened. Passing an old Masonic historical marker, we noticed several elk grazing on the green grass. We stopped to take pictures of animals who didn’t seem to mind if we approached them.

The clouds intensified. By the time we reached the campground, seeing the campers and the layout of the campground was difficult. Campers mulled about, finishing up breakfast and packing their belongings. We saw only their silhouettes.

Leaving the campground, we trekked down the gravel road toward Cherokee. The clouds remained, but amidst them we observed beauty. Although late in June, a number of wildflower species still bloomed. Numerous waterfalls flowed over stillborn rocks. Birds sang their melodies.

King Aram was angry at Elisha the prophet. Every time the king made plans to attack Israel, God revealed to Elisha the plan so he could tell the king of Israel. The king of Aram sent a great army to surround the city where Elisha lived. When Elisha’s servant saw them, he cried out in fear. Elisha calmed him and asked God to show the servant the beauty amidst the clouds. He did. A hillside filled with chariots of fire. No need to worry.

God is sovereign and always works behind our cloudy skies. We may never know completely what God is up to. He normally only gives us snippets of what He’s doing, but we can be sure He is always up to something.

One thing God continually works on is His image in us. He busily forms us into the image of Christ, working to make us more like Him. This requires change. What He asks of us is that we trust Him, submit to Him, and obey Him. When we do, the clouds eventually burn away and we experience the full beauty of His creation.

Trust God that behind the clouds lies a beauty such as you’ve never witnessed.

Prayer: Father, we believe You have our best at heart and are working to complete it in our lives.

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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. 

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The Steps of Life - Martin Wiles

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT

Sometimes, steps can lead to uncommon sites. 

Porter’s Creek Trail is a popular trail in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The first mile of the trail is a wide gravel path that passes the remains of several old home sites surrounded by rock walls. In the middle of an odd area, a set of rickety stone stairs leads upward. As I climbed to the top, a small cemetery awaited me—a family cemetery from long ago with mostly illegible headstones. 

The psalmist was confident God directed the steps of His followers. Delightfully, He walks along with His children as they traverse the steps of life. 

Like the steps leading up to the old cemetery, life’s steps can be slippery, uneven, or solid. Had it recently rained, I would have scaled the ancient steps more carefully. Green moss on them would have slowed me down as well. I know what moss on a wet surface can do. Though some may have fallen on these particular steps, the steps have stood the test of time. Hundreds of years later, they still carry visitors to the old cemetery. 

My life’s steps will always lead somewhere. When ordered by God, a destination awaits—one that will be brighter than the spot I’m currently in if I let Him lead me all the way through. On the way, the steps may take me through valley experiences, desert depths, and over mountain peaks, but with God guiding I don’t have to fear any of those experiences. 

Whatever steps God takes me up, I can rest assured He precedes me like a shepherd leading sheep to a greener pasture. The shepherd has already been there and removed poisonous weeds and checked for danger. While climbing the steps, God will be beside me. If I slip, He will pick me up. If I twist my ankle, He will mend the hurt. 

God also designs the steps of life to test my character. Numerous biblical stories and countless testimonies by Christian saints relate it. God’s ordered steps for me are never concocted to destroy but to build up and make me stronger spiritually than I’ve ever been before. 

As you climb the steps of life, remember who built them and that they are designed to lead you to a place of stronger character.

Prayer: Father, we climb Your steps for us with confidence that what awaits us at the top will be better than what we’ve experienced below. 

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The Road Ahead - Martin Wiles

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go.” Isaiah 30:21 NLT

The road ahead often winds and maneuvers in ways I could never imagine. 

My wife and I were at a retreat in the Tennessee mountains. One of the mornings when we had free time, I invited her to take a hike on a nearby trail. Moderate in intensity, the trail meandered by farm sites hundreds of years old and also through panoramic views of the numerous wildflowers that grow in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. As we trudged along, my wife snapped a picture and said, “Look at the road ahead.” 

Isaiah reminded the people of God’s road before them and of how often they had chosen their own roads. Following God’s road would lead to His blessings, but they often chose the more heavily traveled road—the road of disobedience. 

God’s road often has steep inclines. I’ve been on many mountain trails where I had to stop numerous times before reaching the top. Only with periodic rest stops and by guzzling fluids did I finally reach the pinnacle. As my wife and I discovered, however, what goes up must come down. Our return hike was downhill the entire way. 

The road ahead contains unforeseen elements. I had hiked this particular trail 16 years ago and remembered only scattered images of interesting things along the way to the waterfall at the end. Walking the trail now was like experiencing a new adventure as I anticipated what was next. God doesn’t give me a point by point map of where His road will take me—only the assurance He’ll be with me as I travel. 

God’s road is sometimes uneven. This trail was. Some places were flat but others were dotted with rocks, roots, and washed out gulleys. When we approached these areas, we slowed down and chose our steps carefully. Trials and tribulations are parcel to life—some placed there by God to challenge and increase our faith. In those times, I need God’s guidance even more. 

Taking God’s road also puts me in touch with fellow travelers. Porter’s Creek Trail is a popular hiking area because of the plethora of wildflowers. Hundreds of people preceded and followed us. Whatever road God leads me down, He’ll always provide fellow travelers to help me make the journey. 

Regardless of the road you’re traveling, God—and others, walk beside you. 

Prayer: Father, we ask You to guide our steps as we walk the road that leads through the valley, up and over the mountain, and through the wilderness.

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