Hiding?

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10)

Have you ever heard God’s voice and been afraid? I haven’t actually heard an audible voice speak to me from on high. That surely would frighten me! But I have clearly “heard” God speak to my spirit and shunned His words in fear.

It hasn’t so much been the voice of God that has stirred my soul with fear, but the words He has directed at me. Words such as:

·         “This is your sin. Own it. Confess it. Agree with Me about it.”

·         “You are going the wrong direction.”

·         “I am working. Trust Me.”

·         “I have a different plan for you.”

·         “Do you really have any right to be angry? Let Me help you with that. The answer is, ‘no.’”

·         “I am taking that away from you now. Trust Me.”

·         “No."

In Genesis 3, when God seeks Adam and Eve out after they have sinned against Him by eating of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they hide from His voice in fear. Why?

I think they hide from the voice of God for the same reason many of us do. They know the truth, but they don’t want to be confronted by it. Sadly, they (and we) would prefer to hide in discomfort and shame rather than let God speak truth to the situation. Can you relate?

Have you, like me, felt the wisdom of God speaking truth to your lies, illuminating your darkness, calling you out of your hiding place, awakening you from your slumber, challenging your misconceptions, redirecting your path, correcting your faulty judgment, stopping you in your tracks? And have you, like me, resisted, turned a deaf ear, ignored Him, hidden?

Keep reading in Genesis 3. Yes, Adam and Eve reaped the results of their sin. But God also tenderly provided covering for their nakedness and immediately put into action a loving and gracious plan He had devised before He even created the man from dust so that he and we could once again walk in step with Him.

Our God is always right, but He’s also gracious and good. We do not need to be afraid of His words, His voice. Even his seemingly harshest judgments are actually good.

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:9b-11)

We need not hide from the voice of God. Instead, we should welcome and run to it!

Has God been trying to get your attention with words you’d rather not hear? Do not fear His voice or the words He speaks to you. You can trust Him completely. Let His words minister healing and restoration to your broken places today, even if it ouches a little!