02.06.03

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, 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. - Psalm 139:7-10.

Condoleezza Rice, US National Security Advisor, spoke this morning at the National Prayer Breakfast. The passage of Scripture Condoleeza turns to most often when she needs guidance and strength of conviction is Romans 5, primarily Romans 5:3-5 which says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Condoleezza related how she was the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of Presbyterian ministers. She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where she and her family faithfully attended church (Condoleezza is also an accomplished pianist having dreams at one time of becoming a concert pianist.) However, she said that after moving to California that her life was very busy and she had stopped attending church. One Sunday morning in Palo Alto she was in a Lucky Supermarket when an African-American man approached her. He was shopping for items needed at a church picnic and he was wondering if she knew how to play the piano because their church was looking for one. Condoleeza said she thought, “My goodness! The reach of God is long, even to the spice aisle of a Lucky Supermarket!” As a result she began playing the piano in an African-American Baptist Church and her faithfulness in attendance was renewed.

We may forget about God but He never forgets about us. As David asks, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” The answer as David found out so well was that there is no escaping God. His long arm will find us wherever we may attempt to hide. Many call God the “Hound of Heaven.” Many have attempted to find God and when they do they find that God has been seeking them their entire lives.

Why would you ever run or try to hide from God who turns your tribulations into perseverance, character and hope and who pours His love out into your heart? “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”