Hidden in God

In a culture that largely values fame, prominence, recognition, and affirmation, we may not understand the value of hiddenness. Think about the significance of a pre-born infant hidden in its mother’s womb for nine months, it is a time of incredible growth and nurture, yet it is a work that is largely unseen.

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:1-6

Following Elijah’s announcement of a drought to the king of Israel, God led him to a solitary place where he would be nourished and comforted. This part of Elijah’s journey was way out of his comfort zone in many ways. He would have to leave the very place he was called to minister and go to an isolated place where he would be alone. He would have to be totally reliant upon God for provision. In fact, he would be fed by ravens, which were considered unclean for Jews. It was a solitary place and a time of utter helplessness and dependence upon God. But it was in this place where Elijah discovered a hidden work. It was a place where God hid Elijah while nourishing and restoring his soul.

Sometimes we are taken into a solitary place to be nourished and comforted like Elijah. At first, we may resist leaving our place of familiarity. We may argue that we are coping well with the challenges and changes on our journey and don’t need quiet and rest. In the call to solitude, we may object or even take offense in the ways we are nurtured. But God knows exactly what we need. If we only ask for eyes to see, God’s provision of daily bread and meat will reveal to us the Father’s love for us. In the place of solitude and breaking of bread, we can re-discover the hidden work of God in our hearts.

Am I in a season of isolation and hiddenness? Am I resisting God’s work of nourishing and restoring my soul?

Prayer: Lord, I choose to open my heart to the important work of hiddenness in my life. I choose to surrender to your will. Hide me in you, and teach me how to depend on you for the nurturing and comfort I need on this journey. Help me to know how you are completing the good work you promised to do in my growth towards maturity in Christ. Amen