Sometimes, when children are off in a room playing together, there comes that moment when you suddenly sense that it is far too quiet in the house. So you decide to go and find out what they're up to. As you stand in the doorway looking at them inside the room, you get the sense that they were doing something that they were not supposed to do. It is written all over their faces that they are hiding something and are afraid of getting caught. Someone in the room may have gotten some crazy idea and everyone else decided to try it out when suddenly the presence of a parent reminds them that they are breaking a rule. They are ashamed and embarrassed. They try to cover up and hide their intentions but you see right through it.
How much more does God see through us. We cannot hide a single thing from his loving, wise and holy gaze.
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. Psalm 90:8
It is our sin that makes us want to hide and try to keep things secret. But God never sleeps, he is always present and nothing can be hidden from his sight.
O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Psalm 69:5
A Christian that is rightly relating to God will see these truths as blessings and be thankful for them. If it weren't for our God seeing and exposing the true nature of the sin in our hearts, how would we ever see the need to change? It is because of his deep love for us that he desires to bring our sins out of the dark and into the light. It is so that we can be healed, restored and forgiven.
God does pursue us. But not to do us harm. It is our sinful choices that, although they are enticing and pleasurable (especially at first) will lead us down paths of misery and ruin.
But God is not only a pursuer. He is also a rescuer. He seeks to find the lost sheep who have gone their own way and now lie there, feeling trapped. They are bloody, bruised and helpless because of their poor choices. The rescuers driving passion is to carry them to a place of safety, abundance and rest.
(Jesus told the following parable when some self-righteous religious leaders grumbled because Jesus was so welcoming to sinners and ate with them)
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:3-7
You can't be rescued if you still believe you can save yourself. God won't carry you if you still think you can hold your own. He's not going to drag you around kicking and screaming. You must begin by trusting him and believing that he alone is able to help you, forgive, and heal you.
His rescue mission was planned long ago. Back when the first man and woman sinned and thought that they could hide from God. Can you imagine the depth of grief he felt in that moment. The man and woman had been so open, so free and so true to their God. And now, because of sin, a huge barrier was erected between them.
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
If you have ever experienced a child trying to hide something they have done from you, you know that terrible feeling of grief over their sin. It damages trust and it strains the relationship you have with them. You still love them, but it saddens you that they would choose an ugly sin over a close, loving relationship with you.
When God said "Where are you?" it was was not because he didn't know. He knew exactly where the man was. But oftentimes it is a question like this and then our personal response that follows, that helps us to come to grips with what we have done. Nothing will change for us until we first admit that we have done wrong. We may not even know exactly where we are but we know when we are running away, lost and far from God. Call out to him! The depth of your despair cannot go deeper than his mercy. He knows exactly where you are. He can reach you. He can carry you. And he has given you his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay all of your penalties for you. He suffered and died in your place, for what you deserve! He is a wonderful God! Turn to him and find rest for your weary soul.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-Jesus in Matthew 11:28
For the wages (what we earn) of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
None is righteous, no, not one...
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:10, 23
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
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