“Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 23:24
It was early evening at the birthday party. The adults were seated around the fire pit absorbed in conversation. The youngsters were playing Hide and Seek. One of the boys saw a perfect place to hide. The going-on-6-years-old climbed into an outdoor toy chest that was made to double as a bench. It was his secret place! Nobody would find him there!
One of the adults saw the youngster executing his plan and casually took a seat on that bench. “Help! Help!” came the voice from the toy chest. “I’m trapped.”
Do you have “secret places” where you think no one sees you? Is it an internet “toy box,” a developing addiction to that prescription, or a place in the recesses of your mind? Countless individuals are getting trapped in such secret places. Sinful human beings get caught in Satan’s subtle snares as he whispers, “No one will find you there.”
Before you ever went there, however, you were caught! “‘Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord.”
The all-knowing, ever-present Triune God of the Bible proclaims an indisputable warning, but also an awesome comfort. God always knows, always sees! Don’t try to hide anything from him.
“Devil” means “liar,” “for he is a liar and the father of lies,” said Jesus (John 8:44). Don’t believe Satan’s lies! Don’t lie to yourself. Admit your sins to God, asking for forgiveness and help. He’s always present to help. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
If right now you are caught in one of your secret places of guilt or sadness or depression, if you are overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the “liar” says, “No one will find you. No one cares.” Wrong! God cares so much that he sent his son Jesus to save you, winning forgiveness for all your sins. God cares so much that he promises his help and blessing through the truths of Scripture. And he gives us people in our lives to be a blessing to us. Don’t hide.
Gracious God, when I am tempted to hide, seek me with your mercy and power, forgiving and helping me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Living Hope Church 