Hide And Seek
By Pastor Timothy Burdick
"I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob; and I will look for Him" (Isaiah 8:17)
Just as God "hid his face" from the house of Jacob as seen in the Old Testament, there are times when He seems to hide His face from you and me. This might not be news to you today, for you may feel like the heavens are made of brass. But God is never far away - He has said that He will never leave or forsake us. But like a parent who steps back to let his children spread their wings, God steps back in love because as His children, He wants to bless your life and mine. Many times He "hides His face" because He wants us to seek Him more. So don't be discouraged because God can and will provide streams in the desert of your wilderness.
But you may ask, "If this is true, what should my response be to Him?" According to our text, our response should be to wait upon God. A lot of people throw up their hands at that for they assume that waiting on God is like waiting for a bus, but it isn't. Waiting for God is active and while it is true that we need to spend time in His presence just listening, we also need to diligently search His Word, for it is crucial that during the time of waiting we store His Word in our hearts. What He speaks to your heart will be in concert with His written revelation.
So, wait on God today whatever your circumstances and while they may be hard, don't give up seeking Him for you are precious in His sight. Let Him make a way where there seems to be no way, and He will bless your life.
I am not saying that things will change overnight; they didn't in my life, but during this valuable time, take time with God and get to know Him like you would any other friend, for God is the best friend you will ever have. While there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you can know that His light is also in the tunnel with you. Let me tell you a story of waiting from my own life. I knew that God had called me to preach the Gospel and tried to do it in my own strength. I spent many lonely years teaching in nursing homes on my own, not knowing the layout because as a blind man I can't see. But as I continually learn the lesson that I am sharing with you, God is opening up doors and He will meet you where you are in the same way, right in the center of your need.
The Bible says that this friend sticks closer than a brother and I can tell you that in dark times He has always stuck by my side, for I have learned that God can see better than any of us.
Rejoice in the Lord, and God bless you.
Visit Pastor Timothy at New Vision Ministries website www.mynvm.org
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