Stop Running and Hiding

D. L. Moody had a keen memory for names and faces. If one of his children was missing from Sunday school, he knew it, and he would do everything possible to find out why. One day he saw an absentee coming down the street, so he took off after her. She ran down the sidewalk, across the street, and through an alley into a saloon, up the stairs to a back apartment, into the bedroom, and then dived under the bed.

Moody went after her, and just as he was claiming his prize, the mother showed up. Panting from the exertion, Moody simply explained, “I’m Moody,” He said that he had missed the girl and would be happy if all the family could come to the services. Within a few weeks he had every child in the family in his school.   - The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 203

God knows all His children. He knew us before we were ever part of this world (Jeremiah 1:5). He breathed us into creation. How perfect the world must have been for a time. He had His children --Adam and Eve-- and other living things to fuss over like any proud parent would. Everything was going great, that is, until sin turned paradise upside down. And we have been running and hiding from God ever since.

After committing sin, Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. They tried hiding not only themselves, but their bodies, too (Genesis 3:7-8). Until then, the world was their oyster. All they had to do was abide by God's rules. But once they went against God, the world as they knew it was over.

For centuries after, men ran and hid from God; trying to somehow find a way back. Instead of running towards Him, they ran from Him. They even turned to other gods or idols thinking that somehow, someway they could find what they were looking for. Although, not everyone followed this route. Some people remained strong in their belief of God. Included among these were some noteables like Noah, Elijah, and Abraham.

Eventually, God saw that laws, rules, sacrifices, and rituals were doing little to change this. It was a temporary fix, a bandage, if you will. If anything, these things were starting to separate His children even more. It was starting to cause haves and have-nots of His love, and that's not what He intended. He decided that something more was needed. That "something more" required Him taking things into His own hands, and He did. It was time for a visit.

So, He came here in our flesh. He became like us. In His great mercy, He sent His only son Jesus to set things straight. His mission: to save us. Jesus spent His entire life, as brief as it was, teaching and spreading the Gospel to us. It was a lifeline from God himself. He asked for nothing in return other than our love, repentance, and faith. No more running, no more hiding, all is forgiven if we stop and come back to Him.

Whatever it is that you are running from; whatever it is that you are hiding from; stop! Jesus is looking for you today. He offers God's pardoning love to all. Take His hand and recieve what you won't find in anything, or anywhere in this world: salvation. And here's the best part; it's free to anyone who wants it.

Scripture: Acts 2:38; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 19:10

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being such a loving and caring Father. I don't deserve Your forgiveness, but You offer it anyway. I pray that I will continue to follow You faithfully; and when I fall; that You will be there to put me back on my feet again. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Makinzie