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The Importance of Hiding

 

1 Kings 17:3 - Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan

1 Kings 18:1 - And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 

1 Kings 18:2 - And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

There are two divine commandments here: “Go hide thyself!” and “Go show thyself!” The first was probably more difficult to obey because Elijah was a fiery prophet who wanted to deliver his message and bring his people back to God. Yet, God took him out of circulation for three and a half years (James 5:17) until His time came for judgment. 

Why did God hide Elijah? There may be many reasons, but certainly the most important is this: He was preparing the prophet for the great contest with Baal on Mount Carmel. During those three and half years of retirement, Elijah was learning to wait, to pray, and to trust God for every need. Also, he was learning the value of being a blessing to one person. Before he could show himself, the prophet had to hide himself and learn the lessons God had prepared for him.

Too often today God’s people show themselves before they are ready to serve, and then they must go hide themselves in shame. We are so anxious to serve the Lord that we forget to worship Him. Yet, the success of a public ministry depends on a private fellowship with God! It is fine to go “without the camp,” to serve Him, (Hebrews 13:13), but first we must go “within the veil,” to worship Him. (Hebrews 10:19-20). 

If God puts you into hiding for a season, do not fret over it. He is preparing you for an even greater ministry in days to come.