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| 10/19/2009
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| Why can't I see God? |
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to receive visions and to hear audible voices from God? What if He sent an angel that we could have a conversation with in person? What a wonderful blessing that would be! I’ve never had a supernatural experience like this… does that mean that there’s something wrong with me (or my spiritual walk)? Why is it that the Lord doesn’t speak audibly to me, but He has to others? I mean, the bible lists numerous such instances. Why doesn’t He just affirm my faith by giving me a spectacular vision or something? This is a question that unbelievers often use to taunt Christians. Don’t be discouraged. Scripture gives us a couple of reasons why.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." - John 20:29
It's more of a blessing to us as His children. When we believe God whom we do not see, it says much more about our faith than someone who demands to see Him in person and refuses to believe Him until then. Remember that no Pharisee who demanded a sign from Jesus ever received it. God does not stoop down to man’s terms. A Christian life is defined by faith in Jesus. If you want to be a Christian, have faith in the Lord Jesus whom you have not seen. If you want to be a Pharisee, then demand a sign from God and you’ll receive nothing.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are” - (1Co 1:26-28)
Many people with very high intellects tend to reason themselves as such: “I am a very wise man. I live my life by reason. I see no physical proof of God. Nothing with my five senses points to his existence. All research I have done and facts I have found render no evidence whatsoever to indicate that first of all a God exists, and secondly that I should live my life for him.”
Such people are the proud type of people that God will humble. These people worship their own reason. The bible says that God chooses foolish things to confound the wise. This is why God chooses to make us rely on faith rather than supernatural experiences, signs, and wonders.
“God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing.” ~ Martin Luther
One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters." ~ Unknown
Salvation is like that. As Christians, we are that child on top of the roof. We’re in the middle of a life-or-death situation and He is the only One able to save us. It doesn’t matter that we can’t physically see Him, only that He can see us. He is doing the saving and we are doing the leaping. We mustn’t be discouraged that we cannot see or hear Him. It isn’t His will to make this life some magic show for your entertainment. He is glorified when you trust Him. Don’t be discouraged when you see no magnificent signs and wonders. If you do see them, don’t brag to others that you are more spiritual. God reveals Himself in different ways to different people. Either way trust in Jesus and you will not be put to shame.
"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe." - Augustine
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