A previous article discussed why God hides Himself from mankind. God is not visible to people, but He has not hidden Himself. God has revealed Himself to humanity through creation, His Word and His Son. Those who question God’s presence are not usually concerned about their inability to physically see God. They are most concerned about the apparent absence of God’s involvement in their lives.

Times of suffering and trouble causes a person to feel like God has hidden Himself away from them. At times it can seem as if God has forgotten and forsaken a person. King David expressed this in the Psalms. “Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Pslam 10:1) The Bible speaks of God’s hiding Himself from people, but it always does so from the perspective of humanity. The Bible never says that God hides Himself from the knowledge of people or that He prevents people from knowing of Him. Instead, the Bible presents Gods as acting in such a way that men perceive Him as turning away and hiding from them. The hiding of God is the human perception of a situation, not the reality that God has made Himself unknowable.

The Bible most frequently uses the analogy of God hiding Himself when He brings judgment on a person or nation. Isaiah 45:15 speaks of God hiding Himself in judgment on the nation of Israel. In Psalm 30:7 David complains that God has hidden His face from him. This hiding of God is not an actual hiding. God’s hiding is not a removal of His presence or work form the world. Rather, it is a hiding of His goodness from men so they will see nothing but His wrath. The hiding of God’s goodness brings tribulation and judgment. Psalm 104:29 says, “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled.” When God hides Himself His smiling face is turned to a frown. The experience of God’s hidden face is never an indication God has turned away from men, but that men have turned away from God. However, God never abandons humanity

God always acts toward His children with the greatest compassion. Christian’s may sin and distance themselves from God, but God never hides from His children. Instead, God assures Christians of His constant presence (Hebrews 13:5) and He promises He will dwell in each of His children until they enter heaven. (Ephesians 1:13-14) Even in times of intense trouble, the Bible assures us God allows those troubles in the lives of His children because of His love for them. “The Lord chastens those whom he loves.” (Hebrews 12:6)

Some believe God has hidden Himself from men because He is no longer working in the world the way He once did during Biblical times. If someone looks to see God in miracles, then the absence of miracles in this age may cause that person to think God is hiding Himself. God is not hidden. God has chosen to deal with men today differently than He did in the days of the apostles or the days of Moses. This different manner of working in the world does not mean God has hidden himself. God is still making Himself known to men. Look to see God in the way He reveals Himself today. Just because you cannot physically see God does not mean He isn’t there. Open the eyes of faith and you will find He has been present all along.