Title: Hide and Seek: A Devotional!

Genesis 3:8-10  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Devotion : The childhood game of "hide and seek" might evoke memories of playful laughter and clever hiding spots. Yet, this simple game can mirror profound truths about our spiritual lives—times when we feel hidden from God or seek Him desperately. The Bible is replete with stories and verses that reflect this dynamic of hiding and seeking, demonstrating God’s grace and faithfulness as we navigate these moments.

The Bible has several stories of people who his themselves es from God and others who sought God and found God.

  The Adam and Eve story is one of the most important, it is in (Genesis 3:8-10) After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid among the trees, ashamed of their disobedience. Yet God, in His mercy, sought them out, calling, *"Where are you?"* This reflects our tendency to hide in guilt or fear, but it also reveals God's relentless pursuit of us in love.

   Jonah: Running and Hiding from God’s Call (Jonah 1:3-4). Jonah tried to escape God’s command by fleeing to Tarshish. However, God found Jonah in the depths of the sea, demonstrating that no matter how far we run, His presence and purpose remain steadfast.

   David: Seeking God in Desperation (Psalm 27:8, Psalm 51:10-12). King David often cried out in psalms, seeking God's face and forgiveness. In Psalm 27:8, he writes, "My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek." David's life reminds us of the importance of actively seeking God, even in our failures.

  The Lost Sheep: God Seeking Us (Luke 15:4-7). In Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one who is lost. This story underscores God’s joy in finding us when we’re spiritually adrift.

  Zacchaeus: Seeking to See Jesus (Luke 19:1-10) Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus because of the crowd. Jesus saw his effort, called him by name, and brought salvation to his home. When we seek God earnestly, He meets us where we are.

  The Bible assures us that when we seek God, we will find Him. In Jeremiah 29:13, God promises, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Conversely, even when we try to hide from Him, His love searches us out, as King David declares in Psalm 139:7-10: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"

In conclusion, our lives are often a spiritual game of hide and seek. We may hide in shame, fear, or rebellion, but God’s love persistently seeks us out. On the other hand, we are invited to seek Him—not just in times of need, but daily, as our sustainer and source of joy. 

  When we seek Him wholeheartedly, we find not just His presence, but peace, purpose, and eternal hope. So today, take a moment to stop hiding and start seeking, resting in the promise of Matthew 7:7: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

   May this devotional encourage you to embrace the God who seeks you and inspires you to seek Him in return.

©Dr Joel Olanrewaju. You can reach me at gbemide09@gmail.com to share your thoughts and testimonies on this topic and others. Please feel free to share this with your contacts. Shalom.