By Dennis Kresier Layperson, Last Mountain Anglican Parish
June 19, 2023
Many years later, my wife & I adopted a mixed-breed puppy (Lady), and we still play hide & seek with her. We often hide treats for her in various places around our home & she always finds them. At times, I hide from her, and when my wife says to her, “Lady, where’s Daddy,” she just finds me in no time.
This game of Hide & Seek is not a new game and is still played today in a variety of ways. The first recorded example of Hide & Seek is found in Genesis 3:10, where Adam tries to hide himself from God after his disobedience. What a fascinating event- just read it! Others try to hide from life’s problems in a number of ways. Some feel that drugs & alcohol can erase any problem & they hide in the uses of them. Some hide in crowds to become oblivious. Some attempt to hide behind wealth and financial success, which are eventually exposed. Some criminals are very adept at hiding from their crimes and feel that they will never be found. Take the example of Osama Bin Laden, a major terrorist with worldwide warrants for his arrest for criminal acts and atrocities committed across the globe. He felt safe and secure until he was “taken out” by a US Navy Seal. Presently, many other criminals and murderers are being dispatched by military drones. The saying, “You can run, but you cannot hide,” is becoming truer every day.
One of the most astounding passages of scripture is found in Psalm 139 and has always brought comfort. It is a must-read! The author speaks about God’s perfect knowledge of man. He begins with, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down; and you are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue but behold Lord, you know it altogether. Where can I go from your Spirit or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into Heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell behold, you are there. Verse 11 states, “Even the night shall be light about me. Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from you.” Verse 16, “Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed, and in your book, they are all written.”
The crux of this entire matter, comes to a culmination of man’s acknowledgement that since he cannot flee or hide from God’s presence, he prays in verse 23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.” Verse 24, “And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in Thy way everlasting.” This should be the prayer & response of each of us. Our great God and Creator is everywhere. He waits and longs to hear from us. Call on Him today.
