This question has been on my mind for a few days. It has shown up in my Bible plan and in the Sunday sermon. It is something we can do without conscious effort or with intent. The Bible gives us both good and bad examples of hiding, so, let’s jump in.

Example 1) We can hide out of shame.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Example 2) We can hide out of rebellion.

This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Example 3) We can hide our God-given gifts.

But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Example 4) We can hide out of humility.

When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Example 5) Our life can be hidden.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Example 6) The word can be hidden.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Example 7) But nothing is hidden from God.

For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Example 8) And we are not hidden from God.

Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face?

It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬, ‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

This is not an exhaustive list, but it opens up some better possibilities the next time I feel like withdrawing or isolating because I’m depressed. I am not hidden from God, but I am hidden in Him. I can find a refuge in His presence, a shelter, a safe place to rest. But it is a place of light and joy, not of darkness or condemnation. If I find myself in that place, I’m in the presence of the Father of Lies, not my Heavenly Father. And that is why we hide His word in our hearts, for it is a light for us, illuminating the path out from the darkness.

This is the life-giving message we heard him share and it’s still ringing in our ears. We now repeat his words to you: God is pure light. You will never find even a trace of darkness in him.
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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