The First Hide and Seek

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself." (Genesis 3:8-10)

Ever since the fall of man, many have sought to hide from God rather than to seek Him. The first 'game' of hide and seek began when Adam chose to listen to a lie and disobey God. Instead of going before God to seek His forgiveness, however, Adam hid from Him. Although Adam claimed it was because he was afraid, due to his nakedness, it was in reality, the fear resulting from guilt and the shame of disobedience that created the barrier between man and God. Since then, a close relationship between God and man was no longer possible, not until Jesus, the second Adam, at Calvary restored us to God through the breaking of the veil between God and man to all who would believe in Him.

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45)

but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Corinthians 3:16)

Today, many of us still hide from God. We hide from Him the things we should not do, and we hide from Him the things we should do but did not do. We hide because we are ashamed and have fallen short of the glory of God. We do things that displease Him, and we do things that are unclean, against the holiness of God.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (Romans 7:15-19)

What then shall we do? We shall seek God and not hide from Him. We shall draw near to God, be ready to conquer self, and fight against sin.

For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. (Romans 6:19b)

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Romans 13:12b-14)

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Let us all, therefore, draw near to God and forsake the 'game' of hide and seek. Seek God earnestly and do not hide from Him anymore.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS." - Jesus (Matthew 11:28-29)

NOTE: All scriptural references in this article are based on the New American Standard Bible