Whenever I see a tin can it brings back memories of my childhood days when we played a game called "Kick the Can." Actually, it was just a way to add some excitement to the old game of "Hide and Seek." This is how the game is played: The person who is "it" stands beside the tin can, closes his eyes, and counts to fifty while everyone else hides. Then, the person who is "it" goes searching and tries to find everybody. Whenever a person is found, he races back to the home base and tries to kick the can before the one who is "it" tags them. Doesn't that sound like fun? Even if you have never played "Kick the Can," I am sure you have played "Hide and Seek." Do you think anyone ever tries to play "Hide and Seek" with God? Do you remember the story of Adam and Eve? After they had eaten the fruit that God had told them not to eat, they heard God walking in the garden. They were ashamed of what they had done and didn't want God to find them. What did they do? They ran and hid among the trees. Did God find them? Sure he did. You can't hide from God. Do you remember the story of Jonah? God told him to go to Nineveh and tell the people there to repent of their sin. What did Jonah do? He ran from God and tried to hide. Did God find him? He sure did! And you will remember that Jonah found himself... in the belly of a great fish! The Bible tells us that God chose David to be the king of Israel because he was "a man after God's own heart." (Acts 13:22) But even David did things that did not please God. There were probably times when David wished he could hide from God, but he knew it was impossible. Listen to the words of David. (Psalm 139:1-12 - NLT)

O Lord, you have examined my heart
     and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
     You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
     and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
     You know what I am going to say
     even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
     You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
     too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!
     I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
     if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
     if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
     and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
     and the light around me to become night—
     but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
     Darkness and light are the same to you.

We can't hide from God. He knows all about us. He knows what we are going to say before we say it and what we are going to do before we do it. It is foolish to play "Hide and Seek" with God. Besides, the reason God comes seeking is because he loves us and wants to bless us. Why would we want to hide from his blessing? Father, we are thankful that even though you know everything about us, you love us anyway. Amen.         Please join us Sunday at the Church on the Hill.