Morning Moments

HIDING

There is an interesting text found in 1 Samuel 13:6 that reads, "When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits."

From Genesis through Revelation we find people attempting to hide; either from God as sinners or from man as fearful saints, or from both as scared souls seeking protection of some kind.

In the context of our text tells us that Israel's new king (of about 2 years) had a son named Jonathan, who with a thousand soldiers had defeated the Philistines at Gibeah. Such an act incurred the wrath of the Philistines who then "gathered thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude." Let's face it, that would be a terrifying sight against a small number of people such as Israel.

Sometimes, things happen that terrify us. In the midst of "all going well" a bomb drops and we have no job, divorce papers appear unexpectedly, a loved one dies, an illness comes, or a thousand other things happen that shake our world and make us want to run for cover. There are times that we fight until there is no fight left in us and there seems no relief. Whatever happens and however it happens may simply be a result of our having provoked the enemy. I am not saying that there are not times when God says to us, "Go hide thyself", but it is not for retreat from the enemy; it is for refreshing with the Lord.

My point is this, spiritual warfare does not call for cowardice toward the enemy, but confidence toward our God. He is our hiding place, not "caves, thickets, rocks, high places, or pits" of fear. The number and strength and power and influence of the enemy may certainly seem larger than life to us, but our LORD is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Those are attributes of Deity alone. The "battle is the Lord's" and "salvation (deliverance) is the Lord's", so stand still (firm, fast) and "see the salvation of the Lord." It is HE who said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," so run to HIM and do not hide from the test, but rejoice in it.

One final thing! I am not offering spiritual platitudes to you. I have experienced what I am telling you. I have seen God protect me from hordes of horses and chariots of many kind. The battles have been many and will continue to be many. They may be with money, ministry, mind, morals, marriage, management, or many other such things. DON'T fight with your flesh or you will lose. Fight the battle with FAITH and FATHER will see to your protection, purging, purifying, provision, and perseverance.


BLESSINGS!