“Hiding” by Emily House

Why do I hide from God when I sin?

It’s a tale as old as time—literally. In Genesis 1, we see God create time, and barely two chapters later, we see Adam and Eve sin against Him. And what’s their first
instinct? Hide! Thousands of years later, here we are repeating their behavior.

Why do we do this? Why do we run and hide from God when we sin—when He is the only one with the power to redeem?

One of my favorite quotes is from pastor Matt Chandler: “If we truly understood God’s love, we would run to Him when we sin, not away.” While I’ve always loved that quote, I don’t think it truly sank in until I read Romans 5:6–11:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

When we were enemies of God, He chose to pursue us. When we were at our worst, He chose to sacrifice His best for us. Let that sink in.

Now compare that truth to whatever excuse you’re using to run and hide from God. Compare it to whatever sin you won’t confess because you’re afraid this is the “last straw” before God finally gives up on you.

Spoiler alert: He already knows and He still wants you.

In fact, Jesus’ death was for exactly that—reconciliation. He died so that we could have a relationship with God. He died so that we could be forgiven for our sins. His death paid the price—so why do we live like we still have a debt?

There are many excuses, but only one right response: repent.

Bring that sin you’re hiding, because just like Adam and Eve in the Garden, God already knew— and He still went to find them. God already knows what you’re trying to hide or fix on your own, and He says:

• Come to Me (Matthew 11:28)
• Give it to Me (1 John 1:9)
• I already paid that debt (1 Peter 3:18)

Ask God to come get you where you are. Confess what you’re hiding. Leave it there and walk in reconciliation with Him.

Rinse. Repeat.

This is a daily occurrence—often multiple times a day—confessing that we’ve messed up again and asking God for forgiveness. This practice keeps us from hiding by helping us stay in the habit of claiming Jesus’ goodness and acknowledging our need for it—our dependence upon it.

Jesus has already paid the price, so my encouragement to you—and to myself—today is this: walk in the light of our reconciliation.

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Emily House is the newest member of the Pearls of Promise ministry team. She loves writing and mentoring other women.