A Gentle Whisper -- Listening for the Voice of God Johnny Almond  

Hiding Place

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You must give the Levites six cities of refuge where a person who has accidentally killed someone can flee for safety.  Numbers 35:6 NLT

 

 

God is our Hiding Place from sin. If we got what was coming to us, we would be destroyed as quickly as a dandelion in a windstorm, but thankfully judgment is softened by mercy. God’s heart is a city of refuge. In Calvary’s shadow, we are home safe—the crossbeam stained with the Lamb’s precious lifeblood is an eternal storm shelter. Satan accuses us, but our Priest-Friend is also our Defense Counsel. Guilt will never get the best of us, if we nestle near our Father’s heart—we are inseparable.

 

 

God is our Hiding Place from the strategies of Satan. Resisting the Devil prompts him to leave us alone. When we wash our hands, that is cleanliness; when we purify our heart, that is godliness. The highest wisdom is to don sacred armor—truth belt to counteract hell’s propaganda, witnessing shoes to battle barefoot lethargy, faith shield to extinguish fiery arrows of temptation, salvation helmet to protect our thought life, and Holy Spirit Sword to combat the evil one. Armed and ready to fight sin, we can win!

 

 

God is our Hiding Place in the stress of life. If we ever feel we cannot take another step, God is our Resting Place. If burdens are about to crush us, we can take refuge in the sanctuary of His company and find relief from unbearable strain.

 

 

God is our Hiding Place in the storms of life. Walking the trail of tears, we find asylum in His companionship. Crying the blues, our Face-Healer inspires us to sing His praises. When scary waves on high seas threaten to engulf us, He keeps us from drowning in despair. In lonely nights, Jesus is our Night Light. Listening carefully, we hear the future melody of hope. Taking His hand, the Lord of the dance teaches us how to dance for joy.

 

 

God is our Hiding Place in the shadows of life. Inside Holy City limits, we will experience unlimited ecstasy. We will see Christ’s smile, and His name will forever preoccupy our mind. There will be no need for artificial light, because the Light of His Presence is always shining to illuminate the golden streets.

 

 

God is our Hiding Place whatever happens. Hiding in rituals is a poor substitute for hiding in our Redeemer. Hiding in thoughts is not as liberating as hiding in Truth. Hiding in defense mechanisms cannot match the liberation of hiding in Love. Hiding in legalism is destructive; hiding in Grace is delightful. Hiding in routine is not as rewarding as hiding in Reality. Hiding in the comfort of noise is the world’s way; hiding in Peace is the Christian’s. Hiding in our guilty past is a downward spiral of gloom; hiding in the promise of His glorious future is a staircase of joy. Hiding from God causes us to miss the blessed assurance of hiding in God.

 

 

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church – Friends on a Journey of Faith

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity–ScripturePersonalized.com/

This devotional based on day 92 – Book is available from Amazon

 

Johnny

Johnny R. Almond earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge. After pastoring churches for a decade, he served the Air Force as a military chaplain in worldwide assignments. After retiring from the military in 2000, he began serving as pastor in Virginia. He currently serves as pastor of Hull's Memorial Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Beverly, have four sons, three grandsons, and three granddaughters.