Outside my kitchen window, four children played
hide-and-seek. I had to laugh at some of their funny hiding places.
Years ago, I played their game. Into my mind flashed
hiding places that felt cozy enough to sleep in. Others were cramped, cold and hard.
Like some of the strange places God selects for His children, I thought.
My hiding place in God -- the place or circumstance where His love
guards me -- may not be comfortable by my finite human standard. But whether pleasant or painful for the moment, it fits His plan for
my protection. There, "under the shadow of the Almighty," I am safe from stalking enemies such as pride,
anger, self-indulgence
and cravings. He has promised to keep me safe, holy, separated unto Himself; and He does
-- in His chosen place.
My King may use any part of
creation to keep me in His presence. By hiding rebellious Jonah three days in the belly of "a
great fish," He provided safety from the sea, proof of His
sovereignty, and transportation to his place of ministry. By hiding Israel 400 grueling
years of slavery in Egypt, God unified His people and guarded them from corruption in
Canaan.
I trust that He will always choose the hiding place for
me that best prepares me for tomorrow's challenges. It may not look or feel like a hiding place designed by my Father's
wise and loving hand. But as I rest in Him, He will accomplish His purpose.
"I will give thee the treasures of darkness," my King
assures me, "and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD,
which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." (Isaiah 45:3)
God is my Hiding Place forever. Yet, every day I have a
choice to make: Will I rest peacefully in His plan and provision? Or will I try to
run from Him as Jonah did. If I would be foolish enough to turn away, I trust my Shepherd
to remind me (and I had
better listen!), "Am I a God at hand... and not a God afar off? Can any hide
himself in secret places that I shall not see him?"
My heart's desire is to live in total union with my
King. I have died with Him and now my "life is hidden with Christ God." When I rest in
Him, I am confident that "in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His
tabernacle...." He will hide me "in the secret place" of His presence. In Him alone I am
safe! There, I can "be still and know that He is God!"
Keep me hidden in you,
precious Lord. Guard me from presumptuous confidence that would tempt
me to leave the safety of your chosen place for me. I love You and thank You, my King
and my God!
See also
Deuteronomy 5:22; 2 Samuel 22:12; Psalm 18:11-12,
27:5, 31:19-20, 46:10; Isaiah 45:3; Jeremiah 23:23-24;
Jonah 1, 2; 2 Corinthians 10:13; Colossians 3:3.
