God is My Hiding Place (Book Review)

Background

Although I have never read The Hiding Place, I had heard of Corrie Ten Boom, before reading the devotional. During the Second World War, her family sheltered Jews in Holland. She and her sister, Betsie, were imprisoned in a women’s labor camp, where Betsie also died. After her release, Corrie went on to travel the world, telling people about Jesus and sharing His message of hope and forgiveness— even with the very people who terrorized her. Ten Boom also published The Hiding Place, the basis of this devotional.

One of my favorite authors, Robin Jones Gunn, worked with Corrie Ten Boom, smuggling Bibles beyond the Iron Curtain. For me, Gunn’s writing resonates with the same warmth of the Holy Spirit that permeates Ten Boom’s. I noticed a definite similarity.

Scripture Connection

There are numerous verses, particularly in Psalms, about God being out hiding place and covering us with His wings. I think that Psalm 27:5 captures the book’s central theme:

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.

Psalm 27:5

Additionally, Psalm 91:4 says it well:

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:4

Key Themes

With 40 different devotions, the study continually returns to the idea that God is our hiding place. The book is also full of the truth that God welcomes us to Himself, in Christ Jesus. Messages of forgiveness, deliverance from fear and rejoicing in hardship also abound.

Format

The devotional begins with a little bit of background about the author, plus a brief explanation of the compilation of the work.

Daily devotions feature a central verse, followed by a personal narrative from Ten Boom’s life, interwoven with a scriptural teaching. My understanding is that this section is an excerpt from Ten Boom’s own writing.

Embedded within the commentary is a callout page with a quote from the day’s reading, against the backdrop of a nature photo (such as the mountainside on the book’s cover).

Finally, there’s a brief prayer so readers can respond to the day’s message, in conversation with Jesus.

What I Liked

This book was so full of truth and encouragement! I found myself adding a (digital) bookmarks frequently and ended up with 26 of them. The book is full of invitation — to meet Jesus in a personal way, whether for the first time or in a deeper way.

I so appreciate Ten Boom’s vulnerability, throughout. I’ve heard a few of her more popular quotes, over the years, and it was neat to encounter the real person behind these grains of truth from the Lord. Ten Boom unfolds her story to the reader, without shying away from the harsh realities of the extreme hardship she and her fellow prisoners suffered. It is so evident, however, that her intention is not to garner (well-deserved) sympathy from the audience, but to point to God’s presence and power, in the midst of even the hardest moments. For instance, she describes the utter desolation of solitary confinement in the concentration camp— and the joy God brought through a surprising acquaintanceship with an insect. She rejoiced in the glory of the ant who crept into her cell, and listened to God’s voice (rather than bemoaning the ant’s departure), when the bug left.

Ten Boom consistently gives glory to God. Hailed as a hero by many, she writes with the humble recognition that she is a person whom God chose to work through. It wasn’t her own strength nor spirituality—it was God, working powerfully in her weakness.

Did He give her the supernatural ability to forgive her tormentors? Yes! Was she prepared to do so the instant the opportunity arose? No! But God spoke to her in that moment and used her for His beautiful purposes.

She also shares the many beautiful words that He spoke to her heart in sweet moments of communion with Him. And in doing so, she reveals the sweetness of walking with Jesus, concluding with an invitation for readers to invite Him into their lives.

Recommendation Status

This is a book I would definitely recommend. It’s packed with truth that radiates the love of God in a compelling, aroma-of-Christ sort of way.