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DEVOTION / Hide and Seek, anyone?

DEVOTION / Hide and Seek, anyone?

Blog, Devotions

Remember playing Hide and Seek?

We played this game a lot in my neighborhood. Almost anyone could play. In fact, maybe the little-er you were, the more advantages you had. Our block had lots of great hiding places: gardens, playhouses, hedges, fence lines, and more.  

"Hey, no peeking!"  "Ready or not, here I come!" "Ollie! Ollie! Oxen free!" These were familiar shouts! I also remember my parents' warnings. Don't hide in places you can get locked into! Be careful of places you could run out of air! Evidently, the game could be dangerous.

Ancient roots...

Hide and Seek has ancient roots, going back to Mesopotamia. My Christian teachers taught me that those roots actually go back to the Garden of Eden.  

After the first sin, Adam and Eve tried to hide themselves. But God came seeking them. When he asked, Where are you?, it wasn't that he didn't know where they were. It was his way of opening the conversation about sin and grace. 

A "seeking" God

What a blessing that we have a God who seeks out his children. Many are hiding in unsafe places: false religions, materialism, and sinful indulgence. Be comforted in knowing what a great and loving God we have.

  • He promised a Savior to Adam, Eve, and all their offspring (Genesis 3:15).

  • He called on servants like Noah, Abraham, and Moses to lead his people.

  • He enthroned kings like David to fulfill his promise.

  • He sent prophets to bring his wandering children back to him.

  • He sent Jesus to seek and save the lost.

  • Jesus sent the Spirit to continue calling God's children through the apostles, church fathers, missionaries, reformers, and ministers of today. 

Plus the Lord encourages us to seek him. 

  • 1 Chronicles 16:11 and Psalm 105:4, Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.

  • Psalm 40:16a, May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.

  • Isaiah 55:6, Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.

  • Ezekiel 34:11, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.

Jesus, our seeking shepherd

John 10:16 reveals Jesus as the Good Shepherd seeking his sheep around the world. I have other sheep the are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, make it so. And bless the ministry of 316NOW as we seek to share your seeking gospel with our friends in China and around the world.