Day 16 - Hiding Place

"I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love. 

You are my hiding place and shield, 

I hope in your word." 

(Psalm 119: 13-14) 

The vanities of this world have become an easy hiding place. If we aren't confident and comfortable in our bodies, we have many fashionable options to conceal, flaunt, or enhance. If we don't like our skin, our hair, or nails, then we cover, change, and color them. The vanities of this world can become a way for us to run from a deep inner feeling of being unloved or void of beauty. Do we use cosmetics, fashion, and accessories to hide?

In the book of Genesis, we read that after Eve disobeyed God, she realized that she was naked, found leaves to cover herself, and she found a hiding place. This first sin of Eve was the beginning of concupiscence (the inclination toward sin) for all of us. Through her story, we see that when sin enters our lives, it becomes difficult for us to see ourselves as a beautiful creation of God. Eve was ashamed and she hid. However, even though Eve didn't want God to see her anymore, God continued to seek her. He knew where she was hiding and He would draw her out of that hiding place through His love.


No matter where we've been, what we've done, or how hard we try to hide, God will always be searching for us. Today's Scripture tells us that God is a "hiding place."  In Him is rest. In Him is peace. God doesn't want us to hide in shame or disbelief in our beauty. He wants us to hide in His heart. He longs that we would choose to reside in His truth and know that we are beautiful creations. If we are using vanities to hide behind our own insecurities, He wants to draw us out of those dark hiding places and into His marvelous light. He wants us to believe in our beauty because we have found acceptance and the grace to overcome sin in Him.

Today's Challenge:
Whenever you lose confidence in your beauty and want to hide, let this be your prayer: "Lord, I hide in your acceptance and believe that I am beautiful."

Today's Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, I hate vain thoughts. Help me to overcome them by finding my hiding place in you. You are the desire of my heart and the one I long to please. May I hide your acceptance and believe in my beauty. Amen.

Song Suggestion: "Hiding Place" by Jared Anderson