Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” Revelation 6:15-17
New English Translation
This section is held within a description of 6 seals on a scroll being broken and terrors being unleashed on the earth directly proceeding each seal. The understanding is that the earth is being judged for its evil and disregard for God, and people’s response to that is attempting to hide from the judgment!
I find this so interesting because we see a repetition of how Adam and Eve tried to handle their sin. Rather than turning to God and asking for forgiveness and changing their ways, Adam and Eve hid from God in hopes that He wouldn’t see their sin. Yet, they knew all along that He really did see their sin, so their hiding was futile. In the same way, the people in this chapter hide away trying to avoid the judgment but all the while are aware that they cannot avoid or withstand it. They’re trying to hide with their sin rather than turn away from their sin.
How often do we follow this same pattern? Our sins start imploding on us, we know that we did something wrong, but we think that hiding from our problems will make things better instead of doing the only thing that really does make a difference: repenting.
When you’re willing to openly confess your sins and ask for forgiveness, no longer do you feel a need to hide from God. Shame is no longer allowed to dictate your decisions and tell you where to go. God did not intend for shame to keep you from Him, He always wants you to be close to Him.
In your life, what do you tend toward? Do you run to or away from God when sin enters your life? Remember, God doesn’t judge that you’ve sinned, He judges the world when we won’t admit that we’ve sinned and continue to hurt the very people that He loves: all of us. My challenge to you this week is to examine your life and begin to recognize areas where you run away from God and hide with sin rather than repent. Those are the areas God wants to touch and make you whole and new. Are you willing to let Him help you move out of sin and shame?