The need to hide
The idea that we can hide from God is in everyone’s mind when we are about to do something bad or are. But the reality is that we cannot hide from his all seeing eye. The bible says that his eyes are in every place (pr15:3) and that he sees everything that man does. There are reasons other then sin by which one might want to hide from God, for example, his hand might have withdrawn from him. It is a good thing to be under the mighty hand of God, because that is where all his blessings reside. God’s protection, favor and prosperity is found while one is under is mighty hand. Peter says that we should humble ourselves under God’s might hand so that in due time he might exalt us (1P5:6). The Psalmist said that he could not hide from God’s presence, that if he went underneath the earth or up above the heavens he is there (Ps139:7-8). Job did not want God to remove his hand from him, because he knew how necessary it was to be in favor with him. He also did not fear in his life, to be afraid of God was not something Job was accustom of. Especially after Job saw how God delt with the ungodly and rebellious people in his time, he did not want to let fear separate him from God; as well as how he thought he was dealing with him.
Job 13:20-21
20 Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
21 Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
These two things were vital for Job and it kept his confidence on God, the idea that God’s hand was on him and that his terror did not make him afraid was comforting. He had the same thought as David expressed in Psalm 23 “even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death I will not fear….”(ps23:4). John as well did not feel the need to hide or fear when he walked with Jesus. In fact, he was totally drawn to Jesus since the day he encounter him. John became this follower of Christ without request, he did not need to be invited in order to go where Jesus went; John just went. At the last supper while all the disciples were seated at their choice spot, John sat next the Jesus and without asking or being invited put his head on Jesus’ chest (Jh13:23). In fact, after the resurrection after Jesus appeared to his disciples several times, he appears to them at the beach while they were fishing. After fishing all night and catching nothing, Jesus tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. And once Peter noticed the catch and is informed that it was Jesus on the beach and who instructed them to cast their nets to the other side, jumps in to the water and goes to Jesus. Jesus questions Peter’s love towards him and gives him commandments to tend the sheep, but then something interesting happens. Jesus instructs Peter to follow him and guess who tags along, John (Jh21:19-20). This was the type of disciple that John was, that he did not need a reason to have a oneness relationship with Christ. Jesus never gave John or any of the disciples a reason to not follow him, and by reason I mean he did not stop supplying their needs or induce fear in them.
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
1 Peter 5:6
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Psalms 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,a]
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
John 13:23
23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
John 21:19-20
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)