If you’d prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the link to our podcast

The Holy Spirit has finally allowed me to continue with Hiding or Hidden – Part II, although we know that the last two blog posts were not really detours, but steps on our path that He had already ordained.  So, today we are considering if we have the courage to come out of hiding, from behind our stuff, our insecurities, or other people? Or are we simply hiding behind our busyness?  Either way, I must say that the Lord has truly been patient with us.  He has told us all that “He will be with us”, no matter what we may be hiding behind.

But what if the Lord is keeping us Hidden until He’s ready to expose us to those that need us.  I am reminded of a post that I shared with you last year, about the story of Elijah. I won’t rehash the whole story, but Elijah was hidden by the Lord from King Ahab.  You may remember that the Lord put Elijah in a safe place during the drought, which was due to last for 3 years.  During this time, Elijah didn’t hear from God, but he has food and water, so he was good.  The Lord had kept Elijan hidden until he was ready for his assignment and his assignment was ready for him.  Therefore, I am suggesting that although the Lord may not be saying much right now, we may also be hidden until just the right time.  The Lord will move us when He is ready, so we must continue to be patient and persevere.  We all know that waiting in silence can be tough, but we must stay encouraged.  Remember, in Galatians 6:9 NLT, it says,

So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Then in James, it says, For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

james 1:3-4

And finally in Hebrews, it says,

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  Hebrews 10:36

hebrews 10:36

Just like Elijah, we will start to wonder what the Lord is doing, especially when we implement something that we know God told us to do, and it doesn’t quite work the way we planned.  Nothing can make us second guess ourselves more.  But we also should know that the Lord will disrupt a rather settled, peaceful situation, and then it seems like He goes silent. Yet, this is normally the time that we will start talking to Him, we may begin to pray just a bit more intentionally.  God is listening always for our voice, which has a unique sound in God’s ear. The Lord wants to from hear us, even in our frustration, even in our disappointment.

Well, the Bible doesn’t tell us, just how long Elijah waited, but at some point, the Lord told Elijah to come out of hiding and go to Zarephath, because there was someone who needed him, a widow, and her son, who were ready to eat their last meal and die.   You’ll have to read the rest of the story when you have a moment, in 1 Kings, Chapter 17. 

Bottomline, it’s time for us to get ready to come out of hiding, refined and refreshed for what’s ahead; to be confident in our gifting that the Lord has put in us and to know that the Holy Spirit will sustain us during our journey.

He said that He would be with us, wherever we go!  “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  So, ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether we are being hidden by the Lord or if we have chosen to hide from the Lord, He always knows where you are… and in due time, we will be revealed!