Burying my raw hides
This morning I gave Harley, our little Chihuahua, a raw hide chew then I went into my office to spend time with God. I don’t usually leave the door open but today I did. Soon Harley wandered in with the raw hide in his mouth, but he wasn’t there to see me. He wanted a place to hide his bone.
Harley tried about a dozen spots. Underneath the wingback chair. Beside the filing cabinet. Behind my desk. In the corner. But none of these places seemed sufficient so Harley took his raw hide and left my office in search of a better hiding place.
God often teaches us His truth through everyday circumstances. He did that with me this morning while I watched Harley try to “hide” his bone in plain sight. When Harley nosed the carpet to “bury” the raw hide I thought, “Isn’t that silly? He thinks he can hide it from me.”
Just then I got that familiar nudge from my heavenly Father. “You do that too.” What? “You try to hide things from Me.” Ah! Then God brought Psalm 139 to mind.
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely” O LORD. Ps 139:1-4.
God knows me inside and out. He knows everything I think. He even knows what I’m going to say before I do. I cannot hide my sinful behavior or thoughts from Him. But sometimes I try. And I imagine I look as silly to God as Harley looked to me.
The truth that God knows all and sees all can be frustrating when I’m not completely yielded to Him. However, the same truth gives me comfort, peace, and joy when I submit to Him in obedience. Because wherever I go, He is there with me. His “hand will guide me, and your right hand will hold me fast.” Ps. 139:10
Yes, God knows all indeed. Sometimes when I don’t have an unclean thought, I know that He can hear me; I blush…But like you said, it is also a comfort to me, because I know that He will guide me away from those unclean thoughts.
Thank you Kathy for sharing your incredible wisdom with us.
Thanks Iris! God continually challenges my limited view of Him. Today it was through a dog with a bone!
Thank you for this truthful word.
I agree…it is such a comfort that God knows us like He does! And what is truly incredible is that He loves us anyway! I love Psalm 19:14 – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Living for Him, Joan
Joan, I love that verse. In fact, the passage I memorized last month is Psalm 19:12-14. Love it!
Kathy,
Delightful devotion this morning. I want to hug Harley and do I ever relate. BIG hugs to you both. Love, Lynn