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Writer's picturetimothyrsouthern

No Hiding

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? Psalms 139:7



Do you remember playing hide-and-seek as a child? It's been a few years, but this is how I remember playing the game. You need a minimum of two players. One or more are the hiders, and one is the seeker. Before it begins, everyone needs to know the boundaries of where they can hide. For example, you might play only inside or outside the house. Of course, the greater the area, the larger the number of hiding places. The seeker covers their eyes (often against a wall or a tree) and counts to an agreed-upon number (usually 10). Once the seeker finishes counting, they announce, "Ready or not, here I come!" and go in search of the hiders. Upon finding all the hiders, a new game begins.


King David reflects on God's omnipresence and omniscience in today's passage. David acknowledges that God is the ultimate seeker. God's Spirit is everywhere, and His knowledge encompasses all things. There is no place where we can escape His gaze. He is the Good Shepherd who goes out looking for the one lost sheep and knowing exactly where to look. 


When we play hide-and-seek, we set boundaries—areas where hiding is allowed. But with God, there are no boundaries. David vividly describes this: "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." (v. 7-9) Try as we may to draw imaginary boundaries of safe places to sin, God's presence extends even to the farthest reaches of creation.


Unlike in the game, where players can find clever hiding spots, there is no true hiding from God. Darkness cannot conceal us, and light cannot reveal anything new to Him, for He is the light. David says, "Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (v. 12) God's knowledge penetrates every corner, even what we think are the hidden recesses of our hearts.


The truth in this passage has practical implications for our lives. We can never sin with security, thinking we're hidden from God's sight. There is no place where His eye cannot behold us. Our efforts to escape God's seeking are in vain. God's omnipresence is both comforting and convicting. It assures us that He is always with us, guiding, protecting, and loving. At the same time, we know we can never truly hide from the One who knows us so intimately. 


Heavenly Father,


We come before You with hearts wide open, grateful for Your unwavering love and the intimacy You offer us. You see us as we truly are—our joys, sorrows, doubts, and deepest secrets. There is no veil thick enough to hide our souls from Your gaze.


Thank You for loving us intimately. You know the number of hairs on our heads, the rhythm of our breath, and the whispers of our hearts. Your love reaches into the hidden chambers of our souls, illuminating even the darkest corners. You knit us together in our mother's womb, intricately weaving our stories. Your fingerprints are upon us, and Your love letters are etched into our very being.


We confess that we often try to conceal our sins. We build walls of pride, fear, and self-righteousness, hoping to hide our imperfections from You and others. But You pierce through those walls. The darkness of our hearts is as light to You. Our secret sins are laid bare before Your holiness.


Loving Savior, we repent. We lay our sins at Your feet—the ones we've whispered in the quiet of night and the ones we've shouted in defiance. Wash us clean as Your blood covers our transgressions, and Your grace invites us to come out of hiding. We surrender our fig leaves and stand naked before Your mercy.


Teach us to embrace vulnerability. Let us be like Adam and Eve—naked but unashamed after their fall. For in our brokenness, we find healing; in our transparency, we find redemption. May we confess our sins to one another, lifting the weight of secrecy. We seek accountability, knowing that true freedom lies in the light.


Thank You for loving us despite our flaws. Your grace is our refuge, and Your love is our shelter. May we walk in the light, knowing that You are with us always. We pray in the name of Jesus, who bore our sins on the cross. Amen.


Blessings,

Pastor Tim




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