You Can Run, But You Can't Hide

You can run, but you can’t hide. 

According to my research, the first time that phrase was ever spoken was by the heavyweight champion Joe Louis, just before his 1946 rematch victory over the lighter, faster Billy Conn.

The first time I ever heard someone utter those words was in a speech by President Ronald Reagan.

On October 27, 1985 terrorists hijacked the cruise ship, Achille Lauro, and killed Leon Klinghoffer, an American Jew. President Reagan convened a meeting of his national security group to weigh the various options. It’s reported that at some point he stopped the debate and said to his team “Just go get them.”

A few days later American jets forced down an Egyptian plane in Sicily that had been carrying the terrorists and took the murderers into custody. In commenting and commending the soldiers who aided in the capture of the terrorists, President Reagan said:

"These young Americans sent a message to terrorists everywhere. . . . You can run but you can't hide."

That’s why I loved President Reagan. . .he was a man of principle followed by action.

However, this teaching is not about the origin of that phrase but a passage of scripture that is similar found in Jeremiah 23:24 in the New International Version which says:

“Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.”

You can run from the Lord but there are five things you can’t hide from.

First, you can hide from His purpose for your life. If you’re not fulfilling His vision for your life. . .then you’ll never be fully satisfied. . .you will always be ill at ease.

Perhaps a fundamental question is. . .do you know what God’s purpose is for your life? If not, all you need to do is ask and He will tell you.

Proverbs 19:21 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.”

I really like the Message Bible translation of Proverbs 19:21:

“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.”

I strongly recommend you read “Understanding Your Purpose” by Dr. Myles Munroe and “Plans, Purpose and Pursuit” by Brother Kenneth E. Hagin.

Romans 8:28 in the Amplified Bible says:

^“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” 

Second, you can run but you can’t hide from His word.

The Amplified Bible translation of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:

“Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), ¹⁷So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God is very specific about what He wants us to do until Jesus returns.

1 Timothy 4:13 says:

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

Ezra 9:12 in the New Living Translation says:

"…If you follow these instructions, you will be strong and will enjoy the good things the land produces, and you will leave this prosperity to your children forever.’”

Joshua 1:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.”

Third, you can run but you can’t hide from your sins.

Let’s start with some really great news. 1 John 1:9 in the Amplified Bible says:

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”

I’ve shared with you before a story told by my friend Bob Harrington, the Chaplain of Bourbon Street. He likes to tell the story of how he woke up one night in a cold sweat from a really bad dream…the R rated kind.

Brother Bob said that he immediately slid out of bed onto his knees and started repenting before the Lord. His wife woke up and asked what He was doing. He told her he was repenting for a bad dream he just had.

She asked him to tell her about the dream so she could join him in the prayer of agreement.

As only he can tell it, Brother Bob told his wife that he’d handle the repenting. He said he knew God would forgive and forget. . .but while she may forgive, he knew she’d never forget.

You can’t hide from your sin. . . you just need to confess it.

Psalm 32:5 in the New Living Translation says:

“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”

Not only does He forgive your sins but like Brother Bob Harrington says. . .He forgets them as well.

Zephaniah 3:17 in the Amplified Bible says:

^“The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.”

Fourth, you can run but you can’t hide from things done in secret.

If you’ve ever had something prepared in secret to halt your progress and destroy your purpose, then you realize how empty it makes you feel.

Sadly, I’ve experienced this kind of betrayal several times in my life. It’s almost always a painful experience especially when it’s at the hands of someone you had previously thought was a friend.

These secret plans may affect your finances, your future and/or your very freedom. Don’t despair because God has a fail-safe system to protect you.

Regardless of the intensity of the secret plans against you. . .take comfort in Mark 4:22 in the New Living Translation which says:

“For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.”

Fifth and finally, you can run but you can’t hide from just how much you need Him.

As you’re traveling through the trials and adversities of life. . .you need His helping hand, insightful wisdom and total protection.

Jeremiah 33:2-3 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).”

The only place you need to run. . .the only place you need to hide. . .is in Him.

Proverbs 18:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong.”

Here’s the bottom. . . He’s waiting for you even at this very moment. You have a refuge in Him.