Why doesn't God REVEAL
himself MORE to man?

Q. Why doesn't God reveal himself MORE to man? WHY does he want us to search for him? How does one who is seeking the TRUE God know that they have found him?

(Submitted by: D. M.)

A. The Bible says that "what can be known about God" should be clear to us by studying His creation. The clockwork mechanism of the universe, the laws of physics, human anatomy and the physical sciences themselves present the evidence of a Creator, so much so that - if we fail to discern the "eternal power and divine nature of God" by studying His creation - we are without excuse:

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:18-20, NIV)

I discovered for myself the existence of God philosophically and logically by trying to find the answer to the repeated question, "Where did THAT come from?" Eventually, even considering the possibility of a "Big Bang" and other scientific theories concerning the universe, I came to the point where the only answer is either God or some other term designating a creator - what some call a "prime cause." Anyone who believes the entire vast universe and all living creatures came into being through unguided evolution has gone through a bigger leap of faith than an "uneducated" faith in God. To me, the necessity of a Creator could not be more OBVIOUS.

WHY is it that he wants us to search for him? WHY doesn't God remove all doubt about himself by coming to EACH of us personally and introducing Himself? One reason God does not do this is that human nature generally does not value or fully appreciate something that comes to it cheaply or without costing something (time, money, effort, etc.).

The writer of Proverbs 25 states that God KNOWINGLY conceals things so that we may search them out:

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2, NKJV)

The Apostle Paul began his first message to those in Athens (Athenians worshipped multiple pagan gods) by stating God WANTS humans to search Him out because of the character it builds:

"Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: . . .

"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, SO THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK THE LORD, IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MIGHT GROPE FOR HIM AND FIND HIM, though He is not far from each one of us;" (Acts 17:22-23, 26-27, NKJV, emphasis added)

Your question shows that you are on the track to finding Him for, indeed, there are MANY "gods" available for us to find. For most humans, their "god" is the being, idea, or desire that occupies the uttermost respect and love in their minds. For some, it is sex, or money, or power, or even another human being.

My personal search for God led me to conclude that there is a common flaw in religions from Zoroastrianism to Hinduism to Tao to Buddhism to Islam to most of Christianity today. That fatal flaw is that these religions give human beings a philosophical EXCUSE for a lack of personal responsibility. It is not necessary to strive to achieve one's potential to be "saved" or to reach Nirvana. There is an element of "magic" that is introduced in these religions that "changes" everything; human beings are said to be powerless to overcome the "call" -- it is completely beyond the control of the individual. One can become part of a group that believes these fantasies and pretend to be in on the magic. Such things lead to philosophical and mental stagnation and hypocrisy.

The Bible provides real answers to all the major philosophic questions such as why man exists and what is the ultimate destiny of mankind. These answers are available to those who read the word of God with a truly open mind and heart and ask God to help them understand its profound lessons. It is not easy, but any person can do it. Finding the answers to the basic questions of life along with the strongest motivation possible to strive to reach your potential is the immediate reward for the search.

Trust in God and ask Him to help you find Him . . . and you WILL find him for Jesus taught:

"ASK, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened . . .

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7: 7-8, 11, NKJV)