“God, if you’re real, just prove it to me.” I wonder how many of us have prayed some version of this. Maybe in a moment of crisis you cry out for God’s immediate presence. Maybe in a cynical moment you find yourself doubting God’s existence.

So why doesn’t God just clearly manifest Himself to us? The Bible is full of stories where God did just that. Yet the majority of us have not had such an experience. Why? There are at least three points to consider in response to the question.
First, if God always made himself known in an obvious way, it would not require faith to know Him. I have never believed that faith is a blind leap. It is a leap in the direction of what has been revealed. But there is a limit to how much we know. So there is an aspect of faith that does, indeed, have to do with trusting in someone we have not personally seen.
Faith is therapeutic. There are times when a deep conviction of faith is all that we have left. In such times, leaning on the God we have not seen becomes our strength.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “and without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” If we could put God under a microscope, we would not be relying on Him but merely analyzing Him. He wants us to rely on Him, to love Him, to lean on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The resurrected Jesus actually praised those who believe without seeing. In John 20 the other disciples told Thomas they had seen the risen Lord. Thomas refused to believe until he saw and touched Jesus’ nail-pierced hands and the wound in in his side (John 20:25). Jesus appeared to them again when Thomas was with them (John 20:26). He let Thomas examine His wounds (John 20:27). At that point Thomas believed, proclaiming “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus’ response is very interesting. “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29). There is something therapeutic and upbuilding about trusting in the Lord even when we haven’t seen Him.

Second, it could be argued that God has, in fact, shown Himself clearly. Jesus was really here. We have eyewitness accounts of His life and ministry in writing. No, this is not the same as seeing Him with our own eyes. But it is significant.
The disciple Philip asked Jesus to reveal the Father to him and the rest of the disciples (John 14:8). Jesus’ response, in essence, was that He already had. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Jesus was the clearest expression of God ever given. John calls Him the Word which was God, which became flesh and dwelt with the human race (John 1:1, 14). Yet, what did humanity do to the God-Man in their midst? They crucified Him.
The problem? Humanity in general didn’t really want God. They loved darkness rather than the light (John 3:19). Their hearts were desperately sick and corrupted by sin (Jeremiah 17:9). No human being is truly righteous so as to welcome God truly (Romans 3:10).

So if God were to show up right now, August 2024, and reveal Himself in all His holy splendor, would the world treat Him any differently? You see, God has revealed Himself clearly enough. The real issue is that people tend to want Him on their terms instead of His.
Third, God can be detected in several ways even though He may not show up in a dazzling, obvious manner. Consider nature, the human conscience, and Scripture.

Nature. Have you ever stood on a mountain peak or observed a sunrise at the beach? If so, have you sensed the majesty of something higher and larger than yourself? That is God trying to get your attention. His creation is calling out to you, telling you He is there. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1, see also verses 2-6). The reality of God’s existence can be discerned through what He has made (Romans 1:20).

Human Conscience. What if I were to suggest we go out one day and torture some puppies? You are likely offended by such an idea, and rightly so. The mere thought invokes a visceral, negative reaction in your gut. So, where does that reaction come from? Even sinful human beings still bear the image of God. Part of that image is an innate sense of right and wrong. Yes, it is often distorted and warped because of our sin nature. However, it is still there. We have an innate sense of right and wrong because we were created by one who is the standard of right and wrong in His very being. And we reflect Him as His image-bearers. Paul wrote of those having a law of God written on their hearts, expressed through their conscience (Romans 2:15).

Scripture. God gave us a big book we call the Bible. Though God may not appear to you directly, He has gotten very specific about who He is and what He’s done. Perhaps some would rather Him just show up and say, “Hi, I’m God, believe in Me.” Instead God has recorded His dealings in the form of written languages. The Scriptures make specific what is only broadly understood through nature and human conscience. We learn that the Creator, the Author of right and wrong, gave us a Savior. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

The Bible is not God Himself. It is a precious gift from Him. The more it is understood and put into practice the more convinced you will be about God’s existence. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Yes, I understand the longing to see God in some stunning, tangible way. I have longed for this myself at times. Yet, I recognize it may never happen during my earthly life. Maybe a continuing walk of faith is more beneficial than a dazzling display in front of our eyes. Maybe the life of Jesus, as recorded in the Scriptures, is good enough. Maybe we can rest secure in the One who has spoken to us through nature, conscience, and His written testimony. What more can we really ask for?

Pastor George