Little children cover their eyes to hide because they believe that if they can’t see us, we can’t see them.
Many people operate under this childish delusion in relationship to God—If I can’t see Him, then He can’t see me. God’s word disagrees.
“’Am I a God who is near,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far off? Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24) The answers to the questions above are “yes” and “no” respectively.
The religious leaders and their followers in Jeremiah’s day were pretending to be righteous, but were in fact rebellious. They believed God was oblivious to their wickedness. But He was as cognizant of it then as He is aware of our evil now. There is no hiding from God.
Sadly, the spirituality practiced by millions worldwide today amounts to hiding from the one true God and what His word declares—“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.” (John 14:6).
Many worship their work. Gordon Dahl aptly stated, “we worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship”. Others worship the earth, money, self-indulgence, influence, family, celebrities, physical fitness, or drug altered consciousness.
There is another whole set of people who reject all spirituality, deny God, and believe their thoughts, words, and deeds are unseen. God’s word counters their conviction: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13).
God’s word cautions all people who hide from Him—whether by imitating genuine spirituality or ignoring it— that serious and severe punishment awaits them (Jeremiah 23:34,40).
God’s word also calls all people to hide in Him. “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest…” (Matthew 11:28) This is an invitation to turn from our rebellious lives that reject God’s lordship and trust in Christ, whose death and resurrection secured pardon from the punishment our evil deserves, peace with God, the peace of God, purpose in life, power to live rightly, Christ’s presence daily, and promised eternal life for all who believe (Romans 10:9-10).
God alone is a “refuge and very present help in trouble”, providing peace in panic, clarity in confusion, relief in remorse, healing in our hurt, and safety when we’re scared.
Please stop hiding from God and start hiding in Him through faith in Christ.