Seeking God when He is hard to find

No need to panic; I knew he was in the house somewhere. Methodically searching under beds, behind the sofa and in every closet I stopped only to listen for movement that might give a clue where he was hiding. The first twenty minutes were the usual entertainment of playing hide and seek with a four-year old, but after 75 minutes, frustration replaced fun. When you can’t find what you’re looking for, it’s tempting to give up, especially when you’re looking for God and He seems hard to find.

“I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.” Job 23:8 (NLT)

Worth looking for

Quiet and still weren’t the first words that came to mind when people described my little boy, but when we played hide and seek his ability to remain motionless while I turned over every possibility in the house looking for him was exceptional. Though I’d already rummaged through the linen closet several times, I finally found him laid out on the shelf under folded sheets. Here’s the thing – no matter how well he hid, I never stopped looking. There was no doubt he was there somewhere and I love my son. He’s worth the effort, so I kept seeking.

The effort of seeking

Yet, when God seems hard to find we want throw up our hands and sit on the couch to scroll social media or shows on Netflix instead of digging through pages of scripture where he makes himself known. I’m not sure why God is sometimes hard to find; I just know He’s worth looking for no matter how long it takes or how much it cost.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44 (NKJV)

Keep seeking

Maybe seeking Him when He’s hidden makes finding Him more of a treasure. Or maybe He just wants our whole heart and the seeking is part of the refining process.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

The word

Are you searching for God and you’ve looked everywhere and can’t find Him? There’s one place He can always be found. Look in His word and when you don’t find Him, look again and keep looking. Dig in and search under and all the way through because He is there.

“Oh, that we may know the Lord! Let us press on to know him.” Hosea 6:3 (NLT)

Press on

When troubles find you, life doesn’t feel like fun and games. Maybe you’re the one who feels lost. No matter how far you wander, you cannot go where God cannot find you. Oh, I know it may feel that way, but He promises to never leave us. He doesn’t walk out when we’re hiding in the dark, under the sheets with the door shut. Seek Him; he’s always seeking you.

“Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute – you’re already there waiting!” Psalm 139:7-9 (MSG)

Wait patiently

Are you waiting to see if God will come and find you? Trust that He will. He loves his children even more than you love yours. He knows where you are, but He never stops looking. Come out, come out, wherever you are and stop hiding.

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” Luke 15:4 (NIV)

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