No One Can Flee from the Eyes of God

Psalm 139:7-10, ESV

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 

Jonah 1:3a, ESV

But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 

The Hebrew word which has been translated “presence” in the above verses means “face.” It comes from a root word that means “to turn, to face.”

No one can flee from the face of God. God sees all.

I don’t know who you are praying for who has attempted to flee from God, but take heart—God sees them. God never lets a person go without a fight. He leaves the 99 to chase down the 1.

The story of Jonah is so beautiful because it describes God chasing down two different types of people—those who have never known him (the Ninevites) and those who have known him (Jonah). 

God called Jonah to preach a message of repentance to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah disagreed with God’s gracious command because he didn’t understand the heart of God behind the ways of God. 

So he ran. He tried to flee from the face of God.

But God chased him down.

It doesn’t matter if you’re praying for someone who has never known God or someone who has fled from God because they didn’t understand or agree with God’s ways—God will not stop chasing them down. They cannot flee from the eyes of God.

Oh Lord, thank You for Your gracious lovingkindness! This Easter season, we pray for those who have fled from You to return to you. I lift up those who have been in agony over these wandering ones, and I ask for peace and faith-restored. Thank You that we can never flee from your face. Bring home those who have fled far from You and those who have never known You. Amen.