Hide In Me

"3 - 2 - 1 - Ready or not, here I come!" In the game of hide and seek, we all remember the value of having the best hiding spots.  We did not mind hiding in even the most uncomfortable of places, because of the joy of knowing that it would not be long and that we would be rewarded with victory if we waited patiently.  

Today, the world is doing its own sort of waiting.  In Romans 8, Paul writes: 

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23, ESV)

What are the first fruits of the Spirit to which Paul alludes?  For one - joy! In his first letter, Peter says: 

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)

This joy is what kept Jesus going and is also our only hope for salvation (Hebrews 12:2).  Do you think you are alone in today's match of hide-and-seek? Even the world will be looking for a hiding spot soon! In the book of Revelation we read that people "hid themselves...calling to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?' (Revelation 6:16, ESV)"

Beloved, we are living in the greatest showdown ever! Yet let us remember that this battle is not ours, but God's (2 Chronicles 20).  This is why God calls us to run into his name as our safe place and our refuge (Psalm 62, Proverbs 18).  In this particular round of hide and seek, we know who the winner is and who the loser is.  It is only a matter of time before God will come and make all things right (Revelation 21).  What is our job?  To hide, and to wait patiently:

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we await for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25, ESV)

by Joel Howard