05/04/2020
No man has seen God, so how is it that we know of Him? Without ever having laid our eyes on Him how do we not only know that He exists, but of His character, and what his will is for us? Knowing God has been the quest of mankind for thousands of years, and through certain men at particular times we have received glimpses into Him. In Old Testament days it was through Noah, Abraham, Moses, prophets, priests, and the kings, but today we know Him through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
John 1:18 ESV
We are truly blind when it comes to God, but just like some of us are physically blind today, and need strong glasses to see, God has provided all of us with spectacles through which we are able to see Him... the Holy Bible. Through His Word we can see His character, know how to live our lives according to His teaching, and relive in our minds, hearts, and souls, the history of man as God’s people, and His children. But glasses are not perfect, and though they allow us to see well enough, they have their limitations...
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV
So we move tentatively through life calling out “Father! Abba!” and asking His help through the name of the one man who needed no spectacles to see God clearly... Jesus Christ the Son of God. Jesus tells us specifically that He speaks as one who sees God, and that we have only heard Him.
When I was young I used to hunt deer. I would spend hours in the forest studying their habits, looking for signs of them, and then before the sun had begun to rise I would sit with my back against a tree and wait for one to present itself. The interesting thing about hunting in this way is that you lean heavily upon your hearing. I would listen for the slightest sound, a subtle snap of a twig, or rustling of leaves. Then, I would discern the direction the noise had come from, and while scarcely breathing, I would watch... straining my eyes as I looked for any sign of movement.
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”
Micah 7:7-8 ESV
The senses of a deer are much keener than man’s, it can hear the slightest sound, see a twig move many meters away, and it’s sense of smell can detect the most faint of odors. However, movement was always my worst enemy. I could sit where the wind would take my scent away, and clear all of the leaves from where I was going to sit so that I didn’t make a sound, but if I so much as moved a finger at the wrong time the deer would see me before I even knew it was anywhere near... and slip off without my knowing. So I sat perfectly still and listened, and watched on the outside chance I might see my quarry before it saw me. I couldn’t see except in the direction my eyes were focused, but I could hear noises all around me. Many days I would hear a deer moving, but never catch a glimpse of it. In similar fashion, Jesus sees God, while we sit quietly and listen for Him.
“I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.””
John 8:38 ESV
We hear the Word of God; sometimes boldly in what we read in the Bible, but many times we hear Him in whispers, or small still voices... the snapping of a twig or the rustling of leaves. In times when we hear Him he will often give us direction, but sometimes we are left with a mystery... and must continue to wait on Him. Yet when He speaks to us... we can hardly breathe because the excitement of hearing His voice steals our breath away.
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
1 Kings 19:12 ESV
So how is it that we believe, and know of God, even though we have never seen Him? We do this by hearing Him, and looking for signs that He is there. I didn’t always see deer when I was in the woods, but before I would hunt for them I would see signs that told me they were there. I saw tracks where they had walked, trees where the bucks had rubbed the velvet from their antlers, droppings where they paused to forage, scrapes under trees where they had marked their territory by pawing the ground and urinated to attract does with their scent, and on occasion I heard them make a blowing sound as they ran away when they detected me before I could see them. So, even though I might never have seen the first deer I knew they were there. I know God is with me in much the same way.
Sometimes we get confused and thing we see signs of God when we haven’t. Sometimes we are like Elijah who looked for God and saw destruction and powerful storms. We know God is strong, and we often confuse these occurrences with Him, but just as with the story of Elijah... God spoke after these things, and He did so Modestly in a small still voice.
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
1 Kings 19:12 KJV
Recently we had tornadoes in Nashville Tennessee, and they were amazingly strong as they shook the ground, blew away houses, and destroyed lives, but this wasn’t God speaking. He came after the wind had died, and calm had returned. We heard His voice all over the city as people were helped in acts of amazing charity, and told to take heart, and rebuild even when they had lost all hope. His voice didn’t resonate in the power of the storm, but in the hearts of His children when the dark clouds passed. These acts of mercy and kindness are the signs that those who know God’s Word look for Him in; they speak to us of who He is, and tell us such things as “Love your neighbor as yourself!” He shows us His love, and tells us to show others ours. We try to see God, and to describe Him, but love, goodness, kindness, meekness, and compassion aren’t things we can see... unless we witness them in action. So we listen for His voice in His Holy Word, and see it in His mercy and character as it reveals itself in the obedience of His children.
“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Isaiah 30:20-21 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for you voice that comes to me in the aftermath of every storm, and hardship. Thank you for your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit who see you, and who convey your character to me in Word, and deed. Teach me Lord to listen intently for your voice, and to obey your will, and commandments. I long for the day Father when I will be able to see your face, and when I will know you by sight, but until that time I have hope in your voice, and take refuge in the Word that you have given us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who art in heaven, and hallowed is thy name. Praised be your voice in my life as I await the coming of your kingdom, and your Son Jesus. Hear my prayers a Father, and speak to me in those quiet times when I am seeking your presence, and provision. Forgive me merciful Father for my sins, and lead me to you through Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. Keep me from temptation, and pluck me from the clutches of evil. I worship you now Lord, and look towards the day when I will not only hear your voice, but worship you face to face forevermore.
“But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!””
Luke 11:28 ESV
Rich Forbes