Have you ever played “Hide the Thimble”? Here’s how the game goes:
One person hides a sewing thimble in an obscure place, while the other players wait outside the room. When the one hiding the thimble calls out, “Ready!”, the others enter the room and search everywhere in order to be the first to find the thimble. Part of the intrigue of the game is that when you see the thimble, you do not immediately acknowledge that you found it. If you cry out immediately, then everyone else runs to you, finds the thimble and the game is over. To prolong the game, after finding the thimble, you determine how to announce you saw the thimble without giving away its location. If you are the first to find the thimble, you watch all of the others looking for what you have already found. When everyone finds the thimble (sometimes with clues and hints given), the first one to find it, hides it for the next game and the hunt begins all over again.
This game also demonstrates the process of seeking. Our focus changes when we are seeking. We find hope, joy, peace, and purpose when we seek God.
In the Old Testament, the nation of Judah gathered to seek help from the Lord. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, prayed and spoke of God’s faithfulness. He called out for help, as the Ammonites and Moabites were coming to fight them.
2 Chronicles 20:12
“For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
A great multitude can be anything that is before us: finances, health, time management, relationships, circumstances. What is the “great multitude” that is coming against you? How are you seeking God in this situation?
Like David, we can respond to God by seeking Him in all circumstances.
Psalm 27:8
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.”