Hide & Seek

Children like to play a game of hide and seek. The children hide and one is left to try to find them.

Sometimes we feel like we are playing a game of hide and seek with God. David felt this too, when he said, "Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" (Psalm 10:1)

Have you ever asked God that question? Do you ever feel like God is far off, leaving you to endure trials on your own?

David's psalm is especially interesting in light of other psalms he wrote. In Psalm 9:9 he says, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

So one day he felt that God was a stronghold in times of trouble, and another day he felt that God hid himself in times of trouble. In Psalm 66:10-11 we find part of the answer to this dichotomy. "For you, O God. tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs."

Refined like silver. How is silver refined? It must be put through the crucible...through fire. Just like silver, God often leads us into trials and troubles in order to refine us...through fire.

The Apostle Peter said much the same thing: "Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine" (1 Peter 1:6,7).

Think of it: our faith is more valuable to God than gold. Yet we come from sinful stock—we are fallen, wicked to the core. How, then, can you become transformed to the image of God? Through the refiner's fire. Through trials and troubles.

So then, during those times when God seems "far off"—when it seems like He has hidden himself just at the time when you are suffering trials—remember that those trials come not because God has left you, but because He is testing and refining you...because you are of great value to Him.


Today we also welcomed Jim Dearman to share a word that God put on his heart. His text came from Psalm 37:25-26...

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

Jim also shared several verses that teach how believers, when they lend to other believers, should not charge interest.

Live Worthy of the Calling

One definition of "grace" is giving undeserved help to those in need. Most Christians practice this grace in giving of their time, effort, and finances when they see a need and feel led to respond.

Yet a legitimate question arises: Should we keep giving and giving to those who misuse or abuse what has been given them? Some people are chronic "takers" and become co-dependent on those who give to them. Those who give then become enablers.

Ephesians 4:1 says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." You might call this a "hook." God has placed a "hook" on the grace He's given us. His grace is free, but once we receive it, we must live in a worthy manner. By helping those who abuse grace by living in an unworthy manner, we might be interfering with God's work. These people may need to be left alone in order to call upon God for themselves and experience His grace, His will, and His plan for their lives.

So what is a Christian to do? If you see a legitimate need, don't hesitate to give as the Lord leads you. But do so prayerfully. There may come a time when it is better to withhold so that you do not interfere with the Lord's work.