The Hiding Place
Our campground has a mascot of sorts. We have inherited a female grouse. Some of the camp hosts call her Charlene and others call her Greta but either way she has become comfortable living here.
She sits on the equipment and vehicles. She walks into our campsites without fear but when she senses someone new or a situation is she uncomfortable with, she hides.
Her brown speckled body disappears from view. Most of the time she conceals herself in the tall grass but other times I’ve seen her squat down right next to a rock, which is the same color as she is, and you don’t even know she’s there.
Camouflage is a wonderful means of protection! God’s design is amazing.
Have you ever wished you could hide? Have you been scared or uncomfortable and felt you just wanted to blend in with the scenery and escape detection? Maybe you’ve been frightened by someone or perhaps situations in your past have you hiding from shame.
Where do you go? What do you do?
“You are a hiding place for me. You protect me from my troubles. You surround me and protect me, so I sing about the way you saved me. Selah” Psalm 32:7 ERV
“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.”
3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases.” Psalm 91:1-3 ERV
The Lord has promised to be our refuge, our protection. One verse tells us that He will be the lifter of our head. Maybe that phrase doesn’t mean much to you, but it does to me.
“So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” Interlude 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude” Psalm 3:2-4 NLT
There were things I was ashamed of in my life and whenever I would start to think about those things, I would feel my head drop. I wouldn’t want to look people in the eye. Then the Lord showed me that He took my shame because I was forgiven. It was as if He took my chin in the palm of His hand and lifted my head so I could see into His eyes of love.
He doesn’t just hide us; He completely blots out our past and makes us brand new.
“For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:11 TLV
Shame and fear have no power over us; we are forgiven, we are free, and we are covered by His wings.