Why Hide?

Jeremiah 23:23-24  Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?  (24)  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

As I decided to read a little more in my Chronological Bible this morning, I came across the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah and spent some time contemplating the many great truths for us today (So much so, that I may preach through this chapter sometime soon!). I wanted to share with my readers these two verses, mainly because they parallel what we have been studying in Sunday School.

There once was a couple who thought they no longer needed God. Now, I am sure they did not think that way outwardly, or ever even verbalized it, but that was the case inwardly. They had wonderful fellowship with God, the likes of which no one ever had before. God had richly blessed them with an abundance of provision and love and only had one restriction. 

Yet, soon after there comes along someone who begins to get them to doubt that God's way was the only way. Soon thereafter they make the choice to make their own decisions on what is right and what is wrong and wilfully disobey God. Quickly they fall under conviction and begin to try to formulate their own means of reconciliation by a covering of fig leaves. But this covering was not enough, and when they hear the LORD God walking in the garden towards them, they hide in the trees of the garden.

I am sure that most of my readers by now realize that I am speaking about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The amazing thing is that some 6,000+ years later man is still trying to hide their sin from God. First, a small covering of fig leaves. And when that does not work, we go for a forest of cover -- but are still naked to God in our sin and shame.

Let each of remember that there is no place we may hide from the presence of God and no way for us to fool Him with our feeble works of righteousness. Wherever you may be at in your fellowship/relationship with God, realize this: God sees you where you are and loves you in spite of it. Do not let your past failures and mistakes keep you from having the fellowship/relationship that your Heavenly Father wants with you. Realize about yourself what God already knows: you are a sinner saved by His wondrous grace. Then, repent of that sin and return to Him. 

His love is greater than our sin, and His Grace reaches down further to bring us out of the miry clay.

Two Ways Before All Of Us

Jeremiah 21:8-9  And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.  (9)  He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

The prophet Jeremiah is giving a Divine Warning to the King of Jerusalem and his people. They have two choices before them: one leads to life, and the other leads to death. But there is no standing still, there is no wavering. Choose, and choose quickly, the path that you will take.

In a very real way, the same choice is before us today in regards to salvation: chose to stay in the city (sin) and die an everlasting death of separation and punishment in Hell and the Lake of Fire. Or, leave the city (sin) and fall on the Lord for his mercy and grace. The Lord has given the warning and the choice is yours to make.

Book Review: Living Life In The Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Plan For Men

Upon receiving the book, Living Life In The Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Plan For Men by Kyle Rote Jr and Dr. Joe Pettigrrew, I must admit I was a little excited. I have been reevaluating my methods and manners in my own personal daily devotions and was looking for something more devotional to use as a basis. Add in to that my love for sports (as you can see by the decor in my office), this book had the beginnings of something very useful and good.

But as I began to read through this daily, I found myself a little let down. It was heavily centered on man and not nearly enough focus on God for my taste. And maybe that is just the byproduct of combining sports with spiritual growth. It seemed to me as if this book was trying to reach the new/young Christian man who needs lots of milk and not quite ready for meat because most of the entries were very basic with lots of examples and illustrations. Which is fine, but the problem I saw with it is that it was so long on stories, and so little on Scriptures. Each daily entry was somewhat long, so this could not and should not be considered if you are looking for a short, daily devotional book to get your day started.

Over all, I would not discourage you from reading this book, but I just don't think you should get your hopes up about it.


This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson.