As I read Psalm 32 today, my mind fluttered back to my childhood and the game of “Hide-and-Go-Seek!”
Our neighborhood gang played that game often. There were nine homes in our stretch of neighborhood and the yards of all nine homes were fair play.
There was one place that I had located where nobody ever found me. I think I’m pretty safe divulging it now. I don’t think I’m ever going to play “Hide-and-Go-Seek” again in that neighborhood.
The neighbors right next door had a small porch on the front of their house. There was a very large pine tree right next to the house that created this beautiful, unforeseen cavity that I could slip into. I had the advantage in this deep hollow to see and hear anyone that walked past me, but because the tree was so big and I was tucked away in a corner, they couldn’t see me. It was the absolute best place to hide.
Actually, I should say, it’s the second best place to hide. The first is found in Psalm 32:7. Read this,
“You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble, and You put songs in my heart.”
Isn’t that comforting? When King David wrote this Psalm he expressed his great joy in knowing that He was forgiven, He was loved, He was protected by God’s mighty hand. Here’s what he said,
“Our God, You bless everyone whose sins You forgive and wipe away. You bless them by saying, ‘You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you.’” — Psalm 32:1-2
A few verses later he says,
“So I confessed my sins and told them all to You. I said, ‘I’ll tell the LORD each one of my sins.’ Then You forgave me and took away my guilt.” — Psalm 32:5
It’s then he confesses,
“You are my hiding place!”
He’s not telling us he’s hiding from people so that he won’t be found out.
He’s not telling us he’s hiding from his offences because he doesn’t want to get caught.
He’s not running away from truth, denying anything that he’s done wrong.
He’s just sharing with us what He’s found to be true in His life. He has a sickness, a deadly disease called sin, that he can’t cure. But he’s found relief in God, whose love, grace and mercy washes over him when he stops trying to hide his sin and he himself simple hides in God.
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today
You no longer need to be afraid. You no longer need to run and hide. You no longer need to deny you sin. When you admit them to God, He takes them all away. The blood of Jesus Christ, forgives you of all your sins. Why not step into God’s hiding place today and let Him protect you from trouble, put a song in your heart, knowing that you are safe and saved?
Father,
You are my hiding place! I feel safe there. Jesus, it’s in your name I pray, Amen.
—Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
