Hiding is a natural human instinct. Even as young children, we hide when we do something wrong. This trend continues into adulthood. Why are we so willing to spend years trying to hide our sins and failures, rather than being humble and experiencing the freedom of confession?

As soon as sin entered the world, this became a problem. Adam and Eve thought they could hide in the Garden of Eden when they ate the forbidden fruit. Instead of running to God in confession and repentance, their fear caused them to run away from Him.

Time and time again we see this pattern in scripture and in history. Apart from the grace of God, this will continue to be our natural reaction. John 3:19-20 tells us why, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”

I have learned the hard way that when I feel the need to keep something hidden, it is because I know it is wrong but my stubborn heart wants to do it anyways. I try to ignore the shame and guilt that threatens to fill my heart.

Hiding is also an indication of pride; the desire to appear a certain way. In those moments I care more about looking godly, rather than actually being godly. At the time, my reputation is more important to me than honoring the Lord. These things are painful to admit, but understanding them leads to healing and change. 

How does God interact with His children who are trying to hide and cover their sin? He lovingly exposes us. He doesn’t allow us to go on in our own way for He knows the destruction sin brings.

Those who conceal their sin will not prosper. All of our ways are known by God completely. We have a God who does not give up on us. He pursues us in all of our wanderings until we are safely back in His loving arms.

When Adam and Eve tried to flee from God in the garden, He didn’t allow them to hide, rather He sought them out. When David tried to cover his sins of adultery and murder, God sent His prophet Nathan to confront David and as a result, he returned back to the Lord in repentance. When Jonah tried to run the opposite direction of the Lord’s call on his life, God used a big storm and a big fish to turn him back in the way he needed to go.

Isn’t this all of our stories? We are all wretches saved by God’s amazing grace. We were all once lost but now through faith and repentance in Jesus we can all be found. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. It is fruitless to try to hide from God- He always finds those He has saved. Delayed repentance only brings further hardening of our heart and increased consequences. 

Yet, God is so patient with us as we reach repentance. 

We seek the Lord because He first found us.

We can draw near to the Lord because Jesus first came near to us.

We love Him because He first loved us.

Despite all of our attempts to hide, The Lord’s mercy and love pursues us all the days of our lives. Praise the Lord!