“HIDE” AND “SEEK”

“HIDE” AND “SEEK” is a game that children play, all over the world. In some countries, it may be called by another name; but surely, the essence of it would be the same. Now you may ask me, “What has a child’s game to do with our meditation this morning?” Well, I think it has a lot to do, but in a slightly altered and adapted sense – a play on the words.
– “13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13

Have you noticed the “HIDE” and the “SEEK” in the above verse? I am sure you did. Let me break up the verse for our meditation.
– “He who COVERS [HIDES] his sins will not prosper”
– “whoever confesses and forsakes them [by SEEKING the face of the LORD] will have mercy”

Herein is the “HIDE” and “SEEK” of a Christian’s life. 
– When it comes to our sins, we are called not to HIDE our sins, but be transparent about them, before the LORD our God.
– When it comes to our sin, we are called to SEEK the LORD Jesus, our Saviour, at the earliest, with sincere and truthful attitude. 

– We are called to be TRANSPARENT and TRUTHFUL with the LORD Jesus our Redeemer, as His disciples, and His ambassadors. 
– We are called to confess our sins as early as possible, without any excuses, explanations and justifications. This is being TRANSPARENT and TRUTHFUL in the sight of our LORD. 
– Such a person is appreciated and welcomed by our LORD, just like the Father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

– We are called not only to CONFESS out sins, but also to FORSAKE them. 
– To forsake our sins means, to HATE them, DETEST them, ABHOR them. This would be the first step towards forsaking our sins.
– The next step is to ask our LORD to help us live a holy life – a life that is pleasing to Him. 
– This is acknowledging our limitedness, helplessness and hopelessness. A true and proper grasp of human ability and inability – we do not have the required power or strength to live a life pleasing to God by our own strength.
– Hence we SEEK God for not only our forgiveness, but also the strength to forsake our sins.

The words of David in Psalm 32, and that of the apostle John from his first epistle, speak insightfully on the above issue, and helps us to perceive the truth, and they enable  us to see why we should not “HIDE” our sins, but rather should “SEEK” the LORD our God, as early as possible.
– “​1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” – Psalm 32:1-5
– “8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ​1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” – 1 John 1:8-2:2

How is it going with us dear brothers and sisters? Are there any sins in us, that we need to confess and forsake? If so, let us not postpone it for another day or time. Now is the right time. Let us not HIDE our sins, but rather, let us SEEK our LORD for our forgiveness, and also the much needed strength to forsake and overcome our sin. Even so, the LORD help us.