Thankful that God did not hide . . .

 

In the past few weeks, several television dramas include revelations where a father or a sibling or even a mother reveal themselves to their relatives. Prior to that, the family didn’t know of their existence, or thought they were dead. Sometimes the revelations were shocking and not a cause for joy.

Another much more important revelation is the Creator God revealing Himself to humanity. He did it in several ways, generally in creation, but specifically in speaking:

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 . . . . (Romans 1:19–20)

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. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power . . . . (Hebrews 1:1–3)

How did His OT people know it was God speaking? It must have been discernible because those who heard Him did unusual things. Noah built an ark before the weather included rain, just as God told him to do. Abram left his home and went where God told him. He believed the promise of a son, and that son was born when his wife was well past the age of bearing children. Joseph trusted God even under gross and unfair treatment and was eventually a great leaders and in a position to rescue his entire nation. The OT prophets heard God and repeated what they heard, even if it meant personal disaster.

Then God revealed Himself in a Person. He arrived as a babe, grew in wisdom and stature, made a favorable impression as a child, and revealed to the world what Almighty God is like. He was so utterly different than what the religious leaders expected that they killed Him, but He conquered death and lives forever, continuing by His Spirit to reveal God to human hearts.

This God spoke and still speaks in many ways. His people have had visions, were given prophecies, told much, and guided in many ways. They followed because they knew who was talking to them. Much of it was recorded: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

The Gospels record the life and teaching of Jesus. Acts reveals the spread of His teachings through the apostles and early church, and the epistles tell how to apply His teachings to everyday life. Revelation tells of His triumphant return and the consummation of divine revelation. Both the OT and NT were written so that those of us who were not there in the days of Noah, or Abraham, or Joseph, or David, or the prophets, or Jesus Himself, could know what God wants us to know about Himself. It was done because we would not know God otherwise:

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9–10)

As the OT says, God’s Word “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) and “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29) This is echoed in the NT

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

God’s revelation of Himself shows me what is missing in my life, what needs fixing, and how to live as a person who trusts Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

PRAY: Jesus, I have heard first-hand from those who have had dreams and visions of You, even in these days. Most come from an historical background of hating Christianity and are now believers. Their faith is strong, standing against severe persecution and many have died rather than denounce You. This is the power of You revealing Yourself to them. Most of my vision of You is from Your Word, yet I know that if those who hate You destroyed all Bibles, You are able to sustain Your people with whatever we need to remain faithful to You. You are totally faithful to us — and I stand in awe of You.

PONDER: The wonder of God, holy and powerful and unseen, yet revealing Himself to mere mortals, and not only that, to mere mortals who all sin and fall short of His glory. Be thankful, oh, be thankful.