I remember when I was a child, hiding in my closet because I had done something wrong. I knew my parents would come looking for me as soon as they discovered the mess I had made—I was right.

It wasn’t long before I heard the footsteps nearing closer and closer to the closet until they stopped. That eternal moment of anticipating what would happen next was enough to drive me to tears. Suddenly, the closet door swung open, and there stood the woman with eyes in the back of her head. She knew. She saw. She was about to administer justice.

Most of us can identify with that scene in one way or another, and sadly, many of us as adults respond similarly to God. We know He sees. We know He knows.

…for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known… (Matthew 10:26)

We know He can administer justice. But we so often forget. Although our sin will have consequences, His love will never waver. He is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will love us through whatever happens next—just like my mother did when I was a child in trouble.

Take a few moments today to ponder what may have driven you into hiding. God already knows what they are. He wants you to know you don’t have to hide anything away in the secret recesses of your heart. He is here to walk with you through whatever happens as a consequence and to love you in such a way that your woundedness will experience His loving and healing balm of forgiveness.

Are you in hiding and afraid of punishment, guilt, shame, and all the consequences that come from sin? Do you feel alienated from God because you know you're guilty? Swing open that closet door and allow the Lord to assure you of His boundless love. He will never fail you. His love abides forever.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for hiding; help me to trust You with my secret sins ... with everything. Amen.

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© 2026 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

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