You Can’t Run From God

Think about a time in your life where you wish you could have just disappeared. I can think of many occasions where I have felt awkward and uncomfortable and wanted nothing more than to be far away. Other times I have felt immense dread of something I knew I had to do or go through and wished I could just disappear.

Now think about your spiritual life. Have there been times when you wished you could run from God because you didn’t want to do what He had called you to do, or repent of a specific sin? Again, I think many of us have experienced this at least a little bit.

But the truth is, there is no running from God. Physically there is no place we can go where God cannot see us, and there are no thoughts or feelings that we can hide from the all-seeing eyes of God (Psalm 139).

There are 3 reasons why we cannot run or hide from God.

1. His character doesn’t allow it

God is omniscient (all-knowing) as well as omnipresent (everywhere present). These two attributes make it impossible for anyone to hide or run from God. There is no fear that you can suppress, no anxiety that you can hide, no sin that you can pretend doesn’t exist or feelings of loneliness, sadness, or frustration that you can bury deep enough for Him to not see. Our lives are an open book, and the deepest part of our souls are laid bare in front of God.

2. His love doesn’t allow it

Another reason that we cannot hide from God is that His love does not allow it. God loves you, His child, and is intimately aware of all that is going on in your life so that He can comfort when comfort is needed, heal when there is brokenness, save when you cry out to Him, and correct you want to go your own way.

To allow us to hid from Him when we are hurting or run from Him when we are sinning would not be loving, nor would it be glorifying to Himself.

3. His justice doesn’t allow it.  

God sees all things and He judges all things. He cannot ignore any wrongdoing or turn a blind eye to even the smallest indiscretion. His holiness demands perfection and a part of His perfection is that justice be perfectly distributed.

Thankfully God never grows tired, His kindness is immeasurable, and His patience is astounding–especially in light of the many, many times we try to hide, run or ignore God. Sometimes the calling from God on our lives is hard, sometimes sin gets its claws deep into our hearts, and sometimes we hurt so much that we don’t even know how to talk about it with anyone. But God sees all and He acts in a way that is always for our sanctification and His glory.

Instead of running or hiding from God, run to Him and lay open everything in your life and heart. Take comfort in the fact that He knows everything about you anyway and is there for you.