Hidden in the Ordinary

Have you ever played one of those hidden object games? A child's version of this game is “Where's Waldo?” In this form you look for Waldo among a sea of other faces. There are also various print and computer games that show a room full of the normal furniture and other suitable objects. Then, imposed upon the backdrop of this room is set of out of place objects. A pencil may be laying sideways along the edge of the door post. A coffee cup may be upside down at the base of a table. A fish, a tool or any other object may be hidden in plain sight. On and on these superimposed objects blend in with the background, until searched for and found. When you find one full set of objects, you then move on to another room with a whole new set to search for.
Many hours can be spent searching for these items.  Some are relatively easy to locate whereas others seem impossibly concealed from sight. Sometimes a hint from the game itself or from a friend that has already played is necessary to point out the hidden item and propel the game player into the next level. Much determination and shear time is required to complete one of these games. Yet the pursuit, despite momentary frustrations, is both enjoyable well worth it when the completion is finally achieved,    

Sometimes our study of the Word of God can be much like one of these hidden object games. Proverbs tells us, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.” (Proverbs 25:2 AMP) What God has placed in the Scriptures and desires to communicate to our heart is not always obvious. We may have to dig deeper than simply reading the words on the page. We must seek the message that God has for us with an ear open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. “Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12 AMP)

With reliance on the Holy Spirit, we are instructed to search for hidden riches in the Scripture by seeking God diligently. “Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP) God desires to show His will and love toward us. “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me.” (Proverbs 8:17 AMP) Therefore the Lord does not make His treasures difficult to find. “I have not spoken in secret, in a corner of the land of darkness; I did not call the descendants of Jacob [to a fruitless service], saying, Seek Me for nothing [but I promised them a just reward]. I, the Lord, speak righteousness (the truth—trustworthy, straightforward correspondence between deeds and words); I declare things that are right.” (Isaiah 45:19 AMP)

We are promised that we will know the character of God when we seek Him with a passionate search for His will. “But if from there you will seek (inquire for and require as necessity) the Lord your God, you will find Him if you [truly] seek Him with all your heart [and mind] and soul and life.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 AMP) This type of seeking contains a desperation to know God better. “O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.” (Psalm 63:1 AMP) “You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].” (Psalm 27:8 AMP)

In addition to passion in our searching for the things of God, there must be an element of persistence. Persistence is promised a reward. “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 AMP) This continual seeking brings wisdom. “Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.” (Proverbs 2:5 AMP) In all this we will find joy. “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2 AMP)

Like hours spent playing a game of searching for hidden objects, become engrossed in your search for the deep truths of God. Enlist the help of fellow believers when necessary. God will reveal all things that benefit you.