Many people, both believers and skeptics alike, sometimes ask “why isn’t God more visible to us, why doesn’t he answer my prayer, why doesn’t He give us a sign, where is He while I’m suffering, why is He hidden?, etc.
These are all common questions to ask especially if you’re doubting God or experiencing some hardship. We are human beings that are affected by our sin, so we will not always see things as clear as we should. Sin clouds our thinking, our judgement and our emotions.
So, Whattaya Do?
Now since this is a theological question, it will require a theological answer. Scripture teaches us that God speaks to us and reveals Himself to us in several ways:
1. through His Word, 2. through creation, and 3. through His church.
1st: Psalm 119:105 says Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, and 2 Tim 3:15 says “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”.
The scriptures themselves give us the most accurate and clearest witness of God, and teach us how to live rightly.
Look to the scriptures! God is revealed in them.
2nd: Scripture also tells us that the creation points to God’s majesty: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Paul says: God’s invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made (Rom 1:20).
God is revealed through creation, as every creation needs a creator.
Look up to the sky! God is revealed in them.
3rd: He speaks through His people, the church: He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (Eph 4:11–13).
Rev 12:11 says “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony”. In the church, you will find people who can testify that through Jesus, God has brought them through some tough circumstances and they’re better for it.
Look to His people! God is revealed in them.
The answer to God’s hiddenness may be due to our own deficiency and not God’s. We may be too focused on our own pain, our own circumstances, or our own desires to see what has been made plain by Him. That may not soothe you right now, but know this: if God is your source, pain will drive you deeper into your source.
The book of Hebrews says that in these last days God has spoken to us through His Son. Jesus is the word of God made flesh who voluntarily came to bear the punishment we deserved, and He didn’t hide that from anyone. What does that say to you?
Look to His Son! God is revealed in Him!
So, look to the scriptures, look to His creation, look to His church and look to His Son with open eyes, ears, and hearts.
He is speaking to you if you will listen.
Glad you liked it!