The other day, I was listening to the radio, and a song came on that made me start laughing. Not because the song was funny, but because of the message behind it. The song kept repeating the idea that you can’t run and you can’t hide (Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s) from God.
And as I sat there listening, I started laughing because it made me think about how many times we try to do exactly that. We think we can run from God. We think we can hide from Him. But the truth is, if we really know God, we know that’s impossible.
God sees everything. He hears everything. There is nothing that escapes His attention.
Sometimes we act like God doesn’t notice what we’re doing. Sometimes we ignore His voice, hoping that if we just keep going our own way, everything will work out the way we want it to.
But sooner or later, God has a way of getting our attention.
God Sees Everything
One of the first things we must understand is that nothing is hidden from God. We may hide things from people, but we cannot hide from the One who created us.
Psalm 139:7–8 (KJV) says:
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”
That scripture says it clearly. There is nowhere we can go where God is not already there.
We cannot hide our thoughts from Him. We cannot hide our actions from Him. Even the things we try to keep secret are fully known by God.
Now that might sound scary to some people, but I see it differently. It reminds me that God is always present. He is always watching over us. He is always aware of what is happening in our lives.
Even when we try to run from Him, He is still right there.
The Story of Jonah: Running From God
When I heard that song on the radio, it made me think about the story of Jonah.
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to the people because their wickedness had become great. But Jonah didn’t want to do it. He believed the people wouldn’t listen, and honestly, he didn’t even want to try. So what did Jonah do? He tried to run away.
Jonah 1:3 (KJV) says:
“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord…”
Jonah literally tried to go in the opposite direction of where God told him to go. He thought if he got far enough away, he could avoid the assignment God gave him. But running from God never works.
Jonah got on a ship, thinking he could escape his calling. But while he was on that ship, a powerful storm came. The storm became so violent that the people on the ship feared for their lives.
Eventually, Jonah admitted the storm was happening because he was running from God. And that’s when things took an even stranger turn.
When Running From God Leads to Trouble
Because Jonah refused to obey God, he was thrown into the sea — and a great fish swallowed him.
Jonah 1:17 (KJV) says:
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Imagine that moment. Jonah thought he could run away from God. Instead, he ended up in the belly of a fish.
Now, most of us may never experience something that dramatic, but we can still find ourselves in difficult situations when we ignore God’s voice.
Sometimes we delay obedience.
Sometimes we ignore what God is telling us.
Sometimes we choose our own plans instead of His.
And then we wonder why life suddenly becomes difficult. It’s not always punishment — sometimes it’s correction. God loves us enough to redirect us when we go the wrong way.
We Are More Like Jonah Than We Realize
If we’re honest, many of us have been like Jonah at some point in our lives.
God may tell us to forgive someone, and we resist.
God may tell us to step out in faith, and we hesitate.
God may ask us to change something in our lives, and we try to ignore it.
We think if we just avoid it long enough, maybe the calling will go away.
But God’s purpose for our lives doesn’t disappear just because we try to avoid it.
Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV) says:
“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord.”
God sees us. He knows our hearts. And He knows the plans He has for our lives. Running from Him only delays what He is trying to do in us.
God’s Mercy Even When We Run
The amazing part of Jonah’s story is not just that he ran from God — it’s that God still gave him another chance.
While Jonah was inside the fish, he prayed.
Jonah 2:2 (KJV) says:
“I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me…”
Even after Jonah ran away, God listened to his prayer.
That’s something we should always remember. God’s mercy is greater than our mistakes.
Even when we ignore His voice…
Even when we delay obedience…
Even when we run in the wrong direction…
God is still willing to forgive us and give us another opportunity to follow Him. After Jonah prayed, God caused the fish to release him, and Jonah finally obeyed and went to Nineveh.
Obedience Brings Peace
When we stop running from God and start following His direction, something changes inside us. We find peace.
Isaiah 1:19 (KJV) says:
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
Obedience may not always be easy, but it brings blessings.
Sometimes the thing we are running from is actually the very thing God wants to use to grow us. When we trust Him and follow His voice, we begin to see how His plan is better than anything we could create on our own.
Stop Running and Start Listening
If you feel like you’ve been running from something God told you to do, you’re not alone. Many of us have been there. But the good news is that God is patient. He doesn’t give up on us. He keeps calling us, guiding us, and inviting us back into His will.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Sometimes we resist because we don’t understand what God is doing. But trusting Him means believing that His plan is greater than our fears. Running from God will never bring peace. But surrendering to Him will.
Reflection Questions
- Have there been moments when you felt God guiding you but chose to go your own way?
- What might God be asking you to do right now that you’ve been avoiding?
- How can trusting God change your perspective on obedience?
- What steps can you take today to follow God more fully?
More Encouragement & Prayer Support
If this message encouraged you, you can find more faith-filled content in my Encouragement Corner, where I share messages to strengthen your walk with God.
If you’re looking for prayer and devotional support, visit the Prayers & Devotionals page for Scripture-based prayers and reflections designed to help you stay encouraged, grounded, and spiritually strong.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving us even when we try to run from Your will. Help us to listen to Your voice and trust Your direction for our lives. Forgive us for the times we have ignored Your guidance and tried to do things our own way. Give us the courage to obey You and the faith to trust that Your plans are always for our good. Lead us in the path You have prepared for us.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ty
Encouraged by Faith 🤍