Is hiding ever good? Where would be a safe place to hide?

Matthew 6:6“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Luke 5:16Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Seeking solitude to spend time with God in prayer is a healthy kind of hiding. Jesus modeled this for us well.

Exodus 2:2-3The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.

Joshua 6:17, 25Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies. . . . So Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Jeremiah 36:26Then the king commanded his son Jerahmeel, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch and Jeremiah. But the Lord had hidden them.

Mark 1:45The man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

The common thread in each of these “hidings” is God’s involvement. Our best example is Jesus, who by removing himself from the crowd actually became more available to the individuals willing to search for him. At times, we must remove ourselves from distractions so we can focus on essentials. At times, we must remove ourselves from daily routines so we can walk with God.

Psalm 3:3You, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

Psalm 17:8Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 27:5He will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

Psalm 31:20You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.

Psalm 32:7You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 57:1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.

Psalm 94:22The Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.

Psalm 119:114You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

Psalm 143:9Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.

Isaiah 51:16“I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand.”

Colossians 3:3You died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

The safest place to hide is actually a person, not a place! God alone cam keep us truly safe from our enemies.