Author: Kevin

Wrong Approach #2: God is Hiding

Sometimes we can get impatient and frustrated as we seek God’s will. If the answer doesn’t come soon enough, we may think that God is hiding from us or ignoring us. As I mentioned before, even some of the writers of the Bible felt this way at times (Psalm 13:1). We may even give up on finding His will.

Please don’t loose heart. Please don’t give up. Let me explain why it is wrong to think God is hiding. There are two reasons:

God is a God of Revelation

The Psalmist declared that God “made known His ways to Moses” (Psalm 103:7).

“Revelation” is a theological concept. It comes from the word “reveal.” Simply put, revelation means that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Think about it–if God wanted, He could have hidden Himself completely from the human race. No one could have stopped Him, and we would just stumble around without knowing our Creator.

He didn’t hide. From Adam to Jesus Christ, the Bible is a book about God revealing Himself and His will to us. The fact that God reveals Himself is a guarantee that He will reveal His will.

The Bible Promises that God’s Will can be Found

Consider these promises:

Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.
–Matthew 7:7-8 (CEV)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
–Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

The verbs “seek/search” and “knock” imply persistence. If we are persistent and do not give up, we will find God’s will!

The last thing God wants to do is hide from you or evade you. Search for His will and you will find it!

This is the first in a series of articles on Wrong Approaches/Attitudes in Decision Making.

Wrong Approach #1 Matigas Ang Ulo Ko (I am hard-headed)
A person with this attitude simply says “I will do what I want” or “I will get what I want,” regardless of what God is saying.

Most of us have struggled with this attitude at some point in our life. Deep in our hearts we know what God is asking us to do, but we have a different agenda.

One example of this attitude can be found in 1st Samuel, chapter 8. The Prophet Samuel was getting old and the Israelites did not trust God to provide another leader. They demanded to have an earthly king so they could be like other surrounding nations. God Himself wanted to be their king, but they would not listen. Here is God’s reply to Samuel:

The LORD answered:
Samuel, do everything they want you to do. I am really the one they have rejected as their king. Ever since the day I rescued my people from Egypt, they have turned from me to worship idols. Now they are turning away from you. Do everything they ask, but warn them and tell them how a king will treat them.
-1st Samuel 8:7-9 (CEV)

God allowed their request because they were hard-headed. In the same way, He will not force us to make the right choice. He will guide us and even warn us, but its up to us to make the right decision.

What happens when we are hard-headed?

When we are hard-headed, we end up with something less than God’s best for us. This is what happened to Israel. The Nation of Israel was divided after King Solomon died. Most of the kings led them into wickedness.

We can be sure that God is always acting in our best interest. Listen to Him and follow Him when He tells you to do something. I promise that you will never regret obeying God!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
-Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)