Go! And Know You Are Not Hidden - Jeremiah 23:24 (NLT)
INTRODUCTION:
We are continuing our “Go! And…” series — exploring how God calls us to live with bold, faith-filled purpose. Today, I want to take you to a powerful question God asks through the prophet Jeremiah — a question that shakes the soul and awakens the heart:
Jeremiah 23:24 (NLT): “Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.
Let that sink in. Can anyone hide from Me? No shadow is dark enough. No distance is far enough. No sin is secret enough to escape God’s awareness.
This isn’t a threat — it’s a truth. A reality. And for those who know Jesus — it’s a beautiful, freeing truth.
1. GOD SEES EVERYTHING — AND THAT SHOULD SHAPE EVERYTHING
The Lord asked, “Can anyone hide?” The implied answer is clear: No.
Let’s explore the Hebrew behind this:
The word for “hide” is ????? – sa?ar, meaning to conceal, to be absent, or to cover oneself. It’s used in Psalm 139:12: “Even in darkness I cannot hide from you.”
Nothing escapes His notice. And Jeremiah 23 isn’t written in isolation. It comes in a chapter rebuking false prophets who claimed to speak for God, but led people astray with lies. These men thought they could deceive the people and hide from God’s judgment.
Psalm 139:7–12 (NLT) reinforces this truth: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! … Even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”
John Piper says: “There are no God-forsaken places — only places we are not willing to go with God.”
That quote reminds us that God’s presence is not only in the light, but also in our darkest places. You may feel overlooked. You may feel forgotten. But God sees you. And He is with you.
Application
So let me ask you, church: Are you living as if God truly sees all?
Not in paranoia, but in holy awareness — because His gaze is not just to inspect but to protect. His presence isn't just to observe — it's to redeem.
2. GOD’S OMNIPRESENCE LEADS US TO HONESTY AND REPENTANCE
The omnipresence of God isn’t meant to terrify us — it’s meant to transform us.
Hebrews 4:13 (NLT): “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.”
We can’t fake it with God. We can fool others. We can wear masks. But God sees the heart — the real us.
In the Greek, the word for “exposed” in Hebrews 4:13 is t?a?????? – trachelizo, which literally means to lay bare the throat. It’s the image of a priest examining a sacrifice, exposing it fully to determine its purity.
And friends, we are that sacrifice. And the only one truly pure enough was Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT): “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
Charles Stanley said: “God’s omniscience and omnipresence are not designed to paralyse you with fear but to inspire you to walk in holiness.”
Application
That’s our call today. Don’t run from God — run to Him. Repentance isn’t about guilt trips — it’s about restoration. The moment we stop pretending, God starts transforming.
3. GOD’S PRESENCE IS OUR GREATEST SECURITY
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT): “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.”
You see, in Jeremiah 23, the false prophets had led people into false peace. But true peace comes from God’s presence, not human promises.
Matthew 28:20b (NLT): “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Tim Keller said: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is…what we need more than anything.”
That is exactly what God offers in Jesus: fully known and fully loved. You are seen. You are not hidden. You are not abandoned.
4. ILLUSTRATION: THE SHADOW IN THE CLOSET
A child once cried at bedtime, convinced there was something lurking in the closet. His father came in, flicked on the light, checked every corner, and said, “There’s nothing to fear. I’m here.” But the child still trembled.
Finally, the father said, “I’ll sit with you. I’ll stay with you. Even in the dark.”
Church — some of you are in dark seasons. But God doesn’t just turn the light on — He stays with you in the dark.
5. ILLUSTRATION: THE UNSEEN LIFEGUARD
A man swam out into the sea, struggling against the current. Lifeguards watched from shore. One asked, “Why aren’t you helping him?” The senior lifeguard said, “Not yet. If I go too soon, he’ll fight me. I’ll wait until he has no strength — then I’ll save him.”
Some of us fight God’s rescue. We’re still trying to swim in our strength. But when we surrender, we discover the arms that have been ready to save all along.
6. THE GOSPEL: GOD’S PRESENCE IN CHRIST
Let’s come back to the heart of the Gospel.
Romans 5:8 (NLT: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins… He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day…”
Jesus left heaven’s glory to enter our hidden places. He took the punishment we deserved. He bore our shame. And He rose again — not hidden in a tomb, but gloriously revealed as Lord!
Max Lucado put it perfectly: “God sees us with the eyes of a Father. He sees our defects, errors, and blemishes. But He also sees our value.”
At the cross, Jesus shouted, “It is finished!” — because everything needed for your salvation was completed in Him.
CALL TO ACTION:
Go! And know you are not hidden.
If God sees you, He also calls you. If God is with you, He also empowers you.
Don’t run. Don’t hide. Don’t fake it.
Repent. Return. Rejoice.
Come to Jesus. Lay your sin down. Receive forgiveness. Walk in new life.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
Friend, if you’ve never placed your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour — today is your day.
He knows everything about you — and still loves you.
He died in your place.
He rose for your victory.
And He is calling you — right now.
Will you respond? Will you pray? Will you trust Him today?
BENEDICTION / EXHORTATION:
As you go from this place, remember:
“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?” says the Lord. “Am I not everywhere?”
Yes, He is.
He sees you.
He loves you.
He goes with you.
So go — and live as one fully known, fully loved, and never hidden from His grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
