Looking for God

God is everywhere. We can see him in the world he created—in stars strewn across the sky, the changing of the seasons, the smile of a little child, and the mist rising up from a waterfall. Paul said that his “eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made” (Rom. 1:20). 

We see him in his Word. We marvel at his patience with the Israelites, his vengeance upon evildoers, his power to raise the dead and heal the sick, his perfect law that leads to righteousness. We read the gospel and see him in the person of Jesus Christ, who went about doing good (Acts 10:38). 

God exists, and he can be found. To quote Paul, “He is actually not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). Yet there are many who fail to see him. Doubters question his Word, and skeptics argue that he does not exist at all. 

We live in the same world with the doubters and skeptics. Why aren't we all seeing the same things? John Lubbock had a good theory: “What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. ...In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not follow that we should see them.”  

Those who do search for him find him, and their reward is great. David said, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Ps. 34:8). When David looked for the Lord, he found him, and to his delight, he saw that he was good!

After Jesus’ crucifixion, the apostles gathered together in an upper room on the first day of the week, and Jesus appeared in their midst. Then John says, “…the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20). Seeing the Lord produced a complete transformation. When he was out of their sight, they were full of doubt and discouragement, but after their eyes were opened and they saw him again, they were glad.

The Lord will be found by those who look for him. Look at the world around you. Study God's Word. Listen for him. Look! Once you see him, you can see little else. When you see him, with David and the apostles you will rejoice and be glad.

Drew Kizer