STOP HIDING!
There was a standing rule by the Dad of our childhood friends – no games on weekdays. Another standing rule was that “You read till noon on Saturdays before you can have access to games.” They had the highest number of childhood games in the neighbourhood- TV games, Handheld Games (Nintendo), Board Games, and even bicycles.
How do you want children to comply with such hard rules surrounded by so much temptation? Well! One day, Dad came in unawares. One of our older ones hid in a wardrobe. All in an attempt to cover up the disobedience.
Guess what! That was the exact cupboard that Dad needed to pick something from. He opened it and found him there. He was a man who tortured with tough words or cold silence but never with a cane. He did not say a word. But you already know the kind of mental reset we had afterward when we all got to hear.
Listen! We can hide from man, but you need to know that you cannot hide from God. There is nothing you do that you can keep away from the Lord.
Hear the psalmist: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
Psalms 139:7-8 NKJV
There is nothing you have done that is hidden. If men do not see you, God sees you. Beloved, this is why you need to fear the Lord. It is the beginning of a life of wisdom.
Do not guard your reputation at the expense of your character. People may have a packaged dimension or version of your life, but God knows the real deal.
But if you refuse to heed the fear of the Lord, do not forget that your sin can also find you out.
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.
Numbers 32:23 NKJV
When eyes of accountability also find you out, do not start trying to cover yourself with fig leaves. It will not end well. It will always end in a loss of dignity and precious inheritances.
Gehazi packaged his sin with cover-up lies, he left with generational leprosy. David laid it bare when accountability found him, he enjoyed divine mercy.
Do not hide from the Lord. An elephant cannot hide behind a needle. It is a waste of time. What are you covering up? Where is your own wardrobe? Stop hiding. Mercy brings healing.
© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa