To play hide and seek

Friday 24 March 2023

So the man and his wife hid themselves from the face of the Eternal God. Genesis 3.8

To play hide and seek

From an early age we have the reflex to hide to avoid answering for our actions. A child who has just done something stupid hides behind a door hoping to avoid a reprimand ; an offending employee slips away to escape reprimand.

The fear of being discovered and punished dictates our reaction.

Adam and Eve had just committed the mistake that will change the course of human history (Genesis 3:1-11). They are ashamed, they are afraid and they hide.

Today, when we know we are at fault, we can try to avoid God, refuse to meet him because in our heart of hearts we know we are guilty and we are ashamed. Just like my little girl who hides behind her hands, thinking that we cannot see her, we believe that we are escaping the gaze of God and thus dodging the sanction.

Only, God sees our hearts and his light illuminates our secrets (Psalm 90.8). Nothing is hidden from him. But thanks to Jesus we don't have to be afraid because he has already suffered the judgment we deserve. Instead of chasing us to punish us, God Himself becomes our refuge. We don't need to run away from it anymore !

Alison Packer

_________________

Proposed reading : Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 19 to 22.

Source (Live Today)