Shall I Hide?

We learn practical and personal lessons in God’s word. How would a day in the life of Abraham help us today? This entire chapter is notable and unique. Before Jesus came to earth in human form, he appeared often in His pre-incarnate form as God The Son. Here He appears with  two of His angels to Abraham with a message of his intent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s tent was on the way, and he took the Lord inside. They exchanged conversation.

The Lord is up in heaven, but he’s here with us too. Later we’ll see that he had a question for himself. He would ask the angels, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?”

“And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” Gen. 18:17-19

The Lord is good to us all. If we could only perceive how he watches over us. Sing that old song with me. “I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” Would God say “shall I hide from Bob Surber?” If he wouldn’t hide from Abraham, he won’t hide from me. God has no secrets. Some are before us, in our eyes, but only because they’ve not been revealed. They aren’t secrets. In due time, we’ll know them. God is not a hidden God. Satan wants to present Him as aloof, separated from us—a secret God. However, God is open and straight forward with us.

In verse 1 Abraham saw three men coming and perceived one of them was the Lord. If we would only perceive our personal God, we’d see he’s all around us. He’s visible; he can be recognized and felt. He visits us more than we can imagine. We just don’t take the time to see him. God made no attempt to hide himself or what he was going to do. Whatever you’re facing now, don’t believe the lie that God doesn’t want to be open with you. In every moment of your life God is near.

The things that seem hidden are actually only held back. Some things have to wait a while. God is still there, open and frank with us. He doesn’t beat around the bush. We fail to see what he wants us to see. He doesn’t play hide and seek, but we do. We keep the secrets OR think we do. We may keep them from others, but we don’t keep anything from God. We should be thankful for an open God.

When Abraham perceived it was the Lord, he ran, humbled himself and bowed to the ground. He invited him to his tent. Guess what?  He went!  The Lord liked the meal. He wants to sit down at our table and talk to us. He wants fellowship. Before he condescended to our level through Jesus, he sat and ate with Abraham.

After the fellowship he asked the angels “shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” He didn’t. He revealed all of it to Abraham just as he does us. We get 100% of him. He wants us to plainly see, know and receive him in all his fullness.  He truly wants us to know him. In verse 19 God said “I know him.” He knows it all. He knows all of me, right down to a polyp in my colon, if there should happen to be one (hope not!).  I get an image of myself, but God knows the deepest corners of my life. Shame on me, shame on us when we won’t come honest with the Lord!

In verses 20-21 we see God’s plan to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He shared with Abraham what he was planning to do, what he wanted to do, and what he was going to do. There are no accidents with God. Abraham’s tent didn’t just happen to be on the way. In that day God was in control. Now here we are on this side of the cross, and he’s still in control. We don’t know what’s ahead, but God does. He knows it all and will take care of it all including us. Don’t try to hide. Get to know him as Abraham did.

If God is open with you, why can’t you see? You’re looking in the wrong place. Turn away from the world. If you avoid prayer and Bible study, no wonder you think God is a secret. Think of him as the Bible portrays him, and don’t listen to what others may see. Find out for yourself. God doesn’t wear glasses. He has 20/20 vision he see us and is open to us anytime.  We might as well come clean with him.

What is God saying to you right now? What are you seeing? What is he showing you? Do whatever it takes to be open and honest with him. Be as open and honest as he is with you. God says “shall I hide?” No. He will not hide.

Let’s do the same. Let’s not hide from him.