Hide and Seek

Training for Today: Rest

Devotion: Hide and Seek

Today’s devotion addresses a very specific portion of our theme verse for the week: “How long will you hide your face from me?” Do you remember becoming exasperated during a game of hide and seek when it felt like you would never find the person who was hiding? I certainly do. At that point, the role of “seeker” suddenly became quite a frustrating and lonely place. The game wasn’t very fun. My eyes grew weary of the fruitless search. My imagination started running away from me . . . What if he/she just decided to quit the game and go inside?


During your own moments of asking God how long He will hide His face from you, have you become exasperated, frustrated, and lonely? It’s amazing how waiting for guidance, answers, and comfort can leave you feeling so small. After reading through the Psalms during my time of grief, my eyes have been opened to all of the language about hiding and seeking. The psalmists prayed that God would hide His face from their sins (Psalm 51:9), hide them from evil or wickedness (Psalm 64:2), or hide them in His protection (Psalm 17:8, 27:5, 31:20). These verses all reflect on the positive aspect of hiding in the Lord and trusting in His forgiveness and protection. But, there are many verses that discuss what it feels like when God seems to be hiding His face. Here are some examples, many of which I’m sure you can relate to:

• Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)
• Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. (Psalm 27:9)
• Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? (Psalm 44:24)
• Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. (Psalm 69:17)
• Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me? (Psalm 88:14)
• Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. (Psalm 102:2)
• Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. (Psalm 143:7)

Isn’t that remarkable? Look at all of the emotions that the psalmists experienced when they felt God was hiding from them! In our times of trouble, distress, misery, and failing spirits, we can feel as though God is hiding so far away. Just like children playing hide and seek, we might get frustrated and impatient with the process. The game isn’t over yet! Seek Him boldly! Take your inspiration from the psalmists once again:
• Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10)
• He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:5-6)
• My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. (Psalm 27:8)
• The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10)
• But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" (Psalm 40:16)
• God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)
• Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. (Psalm 105:4)

God uses our life events to draw us ever closer to Him. “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8). It may seem like a long wait, but God uses the waiting time as well to teach us patience, perseverance, and the like. We cannot know the mind of God, but we do know that he shapes each and every one of us for his greater purpose. In His timing, He orchestrated the world’s history. In His timing, He sent His only Son as the Savior of mankind. In His timing, He will answer your questions. In His timing, you will see His face in heaven!
Prayer
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. Amen.