“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’ And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’” 1 Kings 17:1-9
“In the cover of your presence you hide them..;
you store them in your shelter.” Psalm 31:20
“Your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Elijah was committed to his Lord in both the obedience of ministry and of personal trust. He gave out as God commanded, even hard truth, and he followed His word to find supply. He maintained an attitude of staying hidden in God for comfort, strength, and sustenance. As weary as this long obedience made him, he continually returned to his Lord to be readied for the next boldness required, and God met him without fail. (1 Kings 18:20-40)
When the Lord saves us, we are at once found in Him, and hidden in Him. We are His and He is ours. He seals us with His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our family identity and eternal inheritance. We are thus forever hidden by the living water with which He washes and fills us. (Song of Solomon 2:16a; John 7:37-39; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14)
There is much benefit in staying hidden with Christ in God. The ongoing exchanged life of sanctification means we remain in Him, putting our old self to death and hiding ourselves in Him so His life is lived through us. As we abide in Him and He in us, we bear much spiritual fruit. (John 15:4-5; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-10)
If hiding describes us, where are we hiding? Do we conceal weaknesses by boasting and puffery? Are we hiding secret sins behind a deceptive front of neat proficiency, or shame? Are we covering up insecurities, hurt, or folly by maintaining an impenetrable wall, holding others at bay, refusing to let those who love and care for us into our need and mess?
What if we left that hiding and entered into the all-encompassing light of the Lord and His love, and drank deeply of His healing, soul-slaking water? He who bids us come hide in Him is the One who meets us there and supplies for every need. Would we cast off ours and take His cover? (Ephesians 5:8-13; 1 Peter 2:9)
Father, keep me hidden with You, sealed securely and concealed by Your grace and glory.
As the rain and snow 