Have you ever thought, “If God is real, why can’t we see Him?” That is a question that has been asked many times throughout history. I remember when I was younger, I used to ask this question to my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and pretty much everyone who was older than me. As a little kid, I was searching for God physically and many of us do the same thing today. Whenever someone is trying to deny God’s existence they always point out the obvious, “If He existed, then why can we not see Him?” The most beautiful thing about this is, we can see Him. He is everywhere and has shown Himself many times in the Bible. We are going to discuss two ways God has chosen to reveal Himself to us.
1. Have you ever heard someone ask, “If God is real, why can’t we see Him?” What was or would be your response to that? Have you ever asked this before?
General Revelation
The first way God reveals Himself to us is called general revelation. This type of revelation is God displaying His glory in His creation.
Psalm 19:1-2 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”
2. What is this passage saying about the glory of God?
3. In what ways do the heavens and the sky show His glory?
Imagine yourself lying in an empty field and looking up at the night sky. You see countless stars, the moon, and possibly even a meteor burning through the sky. We see the beauty in this sky and in turn, we see the glory of the Lord shine through it. God created that sky.
Psalm 147:4 adds, “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.”
Romans 1:19-20 records, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his 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. So they are without excuse.”
People seek the visual and physical truth of God. Look around you, He is everywhere glorified by His creation.
4. What are aspects of God’s creation that glorify Him and make Him known?
5. According to these verses, what about God has been “clearly perceived” through creation?
6. What do you think it means when it says “so they are without excuse”?
Special Revelation
The second way that God has revealed Himself to us is through special revelation. Unlike general revelation, these are supernatural ways that God has revealed Himself and spoken to us. There are many times in the Bible where God has revealed Himself to someone in this way. Here are some examples:
- Genesis 2:15-17
- Genesis 12:1-3
- Exodus 3:4-6
7. What do each of these passages have in common?
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
8. What does this passage state as the way God has revealed Himself?
9. How does Jesus reveal God?
10. What differences do general and special revelation have?
As we read these passages, we see that God has revealed Himself in many ways. Through His creation and nature, we see God. Through divine speaking, a burning bush, and most importantly, Jesus Himself, we see God. However, you may still ask, “How do I see Him now other than looking at creation? He hasn’t revealed Himself to me in any other way.”
*Hold up a Bible*
This is how. God has revealed Himself through all of Scripture and speaks to us with it. His attributes and His Word are all found in Scripture. God has revealed Himself many times and reveals Himself daily to you through the Word.
11. How does the Bible reveal God to us?
12. What does that mean for our relationship with Him?
My prayer and focus for this is that you see the ways God reveals Himself and that you let God reveal Himself to you through His Word. God is present and wants that deeper relationship with you. Be open to His revelation.