It’s no secret that God has chosen to remain invisible to those of us living on earth.
He cannot be perceived by our five senses because God is a spirit, and our physical senses are limited to this tangible world. I’ve often thought it would be much easier to do my job as a preacher if God would simply appear on demand, allowing people could see Him for themselves! Isaiah must have felt the same way when he said, “Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence… To make Your name known to Your adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Your presence!” (Isaiah 64:1-2)
God could certainly appear to the world. His appearance would likely silence the skeptics and humble His enemies. He could come down in an instant and solve all the world’s problems! Yet He chooses to remain invisible.
It’s ironic that people who owe their very existence to God can choose to live as if He doesn’t exist. They can blaspheme Him, take His Name in vain, or completely ignore Him, all the while breathing air that He created, eating food He has provided, and living a life that He made possible. They can live their entire lives without ever acknowledging His presence, while God allows them to do so without interfering. In Matthew 5:45 Jesus said, “…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
God exercises amazing restraint by allowing people to live their lives without intervening, but why?
By remaining hidden, He is honoring our right to choose. We have all been given a free will, and with it, the ability to make choices. Not even God overrides the human will. As free moral agents, we have the ability to choose Him the way He chose us! He has given each of us one lifetime to make this decision, and He will not force us through intimidation or coercion.
God could certainly reveal Himself and His glory to the world at any time. Humanity would be overwhelmed by His presence. The result? Every person would immediately surrender to Him.
At the end of World War II, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on cities in Japan. Up until that moment, Japan was ready to fight to the death; surrender was not an option. When the overwhelming force of the atomic bomb was unleashed, an estimated 200,000 people died, and suddenly, surrender was the only option. Japan surrendered unconditionally. Their surrender was not by choice, but by force. God’s manifested presence would have the same effect on the world, many times over.
However, God didn’t want a forced surrender; He did not want people to be compelled to live with Him throughout eternity because they were unable to resist His awesome presence. So He has chosen to step back and allow each person to make their own decision. But just because He is hidden doesn’t mean that He is unreachable or unconcerned. He is not hidden from us; rather, He is hidden for us.
Anyone is capable of finding God if they want Him.
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) It’s hard to imagine the King of kings and Lord of lords waiting patiently at the door, as each individual exercises their right to choose or reject Him. But this is the reality: He may be hidden, but He is ever ready to respond to those who open the door of their hearts to Him.
The truth is, finding God is what life on earth is all about. And He can be found! There is enough evidence all around us to prove God’s existence. In fact, He expects people to look at His creation and come to the conclusion that He exists. Acts 14:17 says, “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
According to the Apostle Paul, food and rain and fruitful seasons are witnesses to the Creator’s existence. The sky also declares there is a God. Psalms 19:1-2 (NLT) says, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.”
Even the stars make their voice heard! Isaiah 40:26 says, “Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host (the stars) by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.”
God also reveals Himself through His Word. Even though He can’t be physically seen, felt, or heard, He has given us His Word to show us the way to Him. It is all the direction that is needed! His Word has worked for millions and millions of people. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, “…I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
People who haven’t found God haven’t searched for Him, because according to His Word, “When you seek Him you will find Him, if you search with all your heart.”
If you don’t know God, pray to Him today. Tell Him you want to know Him, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Decide to accept His free gift of salvation. When you do, you’ll discover the unspeakable joy that comes from finding God and giving Him your whole heart!
New Audio Series: Finding a Good God In an Evil World
Science and education are not an excuse to reject the existence of God. There is more than enough proof that God is real for those who choose to take an honest look. This series will examine an abundance of evidence from inside the Bible and beyond, in the areas of Science, Space and Nature which point to God’s existence. If you or someone you know is interested in seeking the invisible God and learning exactly what to do when you find Him, this series is for you.