As a young child my favorite place to hide was probably under the bed. Young kids afraid of something will hide under the bed. I would hide under the bed playing hide and seek. Never realizing it being my favorite spot it made it easy for me to be found. Yet childhood games are not life or death and to hide because one is in trouble is human instincts. Adam and Eve were the first humans to hide because they discovered they were naked and became afraid because they had eaten the fruit that was forbidden that allowed them to understand they were naked. Lot and his family were propelled out of a city, because of the evil that they were leaving behind and God had chosen to destroy it. Moses ran because he killed and Egyptian and did not go back until all that sought his life were dead. Elijah fled out of fear but was encouraged to go on a journey further down the road by angel of the Lord. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh so he thought he could out run God. David ran from King Saul. Jeremiah want to leave the city but God said no. Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod.

One might ask why did Jesus have to flee when He was the Messiah the Son of God to come. I think of His power and glory that went along in his ministry one had to ask, why did Jesus have to run. Jesus coming in human form did not allow him to escape human element or human protection from God. His body flesh and blood. His body crucified for you and me as a man. Yet Jesus was more then a man. Jesus did not retaliate against human authority. Jesus came submitting to the legal law but not always to the tradition of Jewish law.

In the case of Herod Joseph was told by God to flee for protection. He would be there two years, before returning to Israel and settling in Nazareth. God could of killed Herod but allowed nature to take its course in the situation. God does not always remove the obstacles, but he does put a protective hand in our life to move us into a place of safety in times of trouble. Our choice to move and to go is not always freedom. For Lot family was compelled to leave and not by their own will. Noah and his family boarded a place of safety, probably not fully grasping all that was fixing to happen. As people receive Christ as Lord the great the day of His return is anticipated, but that day of his return is not fully realized, but those marked by him are protected as Noah and his family were. What hope do we have is to run when God says run and hide when God says hide, in the safety of His hand. Knowing that hiding to preserve is only a testimony of the power of God to warn and protect His people in the elements of today’s society. Using the ability of man verses the power of God to control. Christ came not controlling but as servant to mankind.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to hide in the safety of faith knowing your protection is all around us. In Jesus precious name, Amen.