“Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?”
Psalm 139:7 HCSB
“Can a man hide himself in secret places where I cannot see him?’—the LORD’s declaration. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’—the LORD’s declaration.”
Jeremiah 23:24 HCSB
As a young child hides his eyes and believes he can’t be seen, we may convince ourselves that we can hide from God.
Proverbs 5:21 says, “For a man’s ways are before the LORD’s eyes, and He considers all his paths.” There is nowhere we can flee from His presence.
That was certainly true for Jonah. As a believer, God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and tell the people that their ways were corrupt. But he headed in the opposite direction!
Jonah got on a ship heading far away and went below deck to sleep. God sent a great storm to rock the boat. Frightened sailors threw their cargo overboard.
Jonah was woken up and confronted about his faith: Was he the one causing them all to suffer? Jonah admitted his belief in the Lord and that he was hiding from Him. He told the men to throw him off the ship.
He was then swallowed whole by a great whale and lived in its belly for three days and nights, praying to the Lord. Once he was spit out on dry land, he again heard God’s voice calling him to go to Nineveh. This time, he headed straight there!
We all have reasons we wish to hide from the Lord. Stubbornness, fear, sin, or busyness demand our focus.
Let’s not wait until we’re swallowed into a dark place to reach for the Lord. Take your hands off your eyes and look to Him. He’s still there. We are truly never hidden from Him. “When I wake up, I am still with You” (Psalm 139:18b).
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for Your ever-presence in our lives. At times, we let worldly things take our focus and we try to hide from You. Yet, You lovingly protect and correct us, calling us back to You. Please help us to seek You always. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: What areas of your life are you trying to hide from the Lord? Allow the Lord in and ask Him to guide you.
Porch Chair Prayers 