“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:” (Job 23:8-9)

As a child, my siblings and I, along with the other children in the neighborhood would play the fun game of “Hide and Seek.”

The child who was selected to search out the other children would have to close his eyes and count to a certain number, while we scampered around searching for a place to hide. Once their count was complete, the diligent seeker would look in all the familiar hiding places, finding all who participated in this game but one. Now the search must begin again for the one who has not been found. The seeker once again goes to all the familiar places in hopes of finding this well-hidden participant. After a few minutes of searching, even the most diligent seeker gets discouraged and quits, calling for the well-hidden child to come out of hiding. Once the well-hidden participant reveals himself, the seeker is disappointed because they knew of that hiding spot, but never thought to look there.

How many times have we felt like Job? How often have we felt like the diligent seeker in the game of hide and seek? When we have searched in all the familiar places we could think of and God is not there. It is so easy, when we get discouraged, to quit because we feel that God is nowhere to be found. What we have failed to realize is that we have not looked in that one familiar place: our heart. Jesus assures those who are saved that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5c). Another reference to knowing that God is ever present with us is given to us by David in (Psalms 139:7-10). (Please read for your enjoyment.)

If you ever want to find God when it seems that He cannot be found, take the time to view all that God has created. You will see that not only does He fill heaven, but earth also (Jeremiah 23:24). If this doesn’t satisfy you, then look in the mirror at the one who, as a saved child of God, is created in His image and likeness. Do you see God in you? He is right there; dwelling, living inside of you. Isn’t that great?

So don’t get discouraged when it seems as if you can’t find God. He is not hiding. You just haven’t looked in the right spot.