God: Obvious or Hidden?

Is God hiding?  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter according to Proverbs 25:2.  

The knowledge of God may be hidden to the average person.  Yet on the other hand, Romans 1:19-20 points out that "what may be known of God is evident.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead."  God is ever visible in all He has made so no one can honestly deny Him, but the greater goal, knowing Him personally and intimately, has conditions that depend upon us. 

God has deliberately hidden truth for some and deliberately shown His nature and character to others.  Jesus explained to his disciples that "it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given."  Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."  God deliberately conceals Himself and intimate knowledge of Him because He waits for us to desire Him.  In Jeremiah 29 it states this condition, "when you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found."  

There are three reasons why God has concealed Himself.  1) God is not an intellectual concept and as 1 Corinthians explains, "in his wisdom it is impossible to know Him through human wisdom." He reveals Himself to mere babes but declares that all human wisdom is foolishness.  2)  He will not reveal Himself just to boast or satisfy our curiosity.  When Herod wanted to see a sign or miracle just to show off, Jesus refused to even answer.  3)  God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  He draws near to the one with a contrite and humble heart.  God knows the intents and motives of the heart, so man shows his highest purpose and glory when He humbles himself and chooses to receive the Word of God with meekness. Humbling ourselves to acknowledge sin allows the Spirit to lead us into all truth, especially the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior of all who come to Him.  

Jesus is the truth.  He openly demonstrated that sin deserves death and that through His death and resurrection the penalty for sin has been paid.  He further declares that eternal life is not just duration, but rather quality of life.  "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)"  He was sent to redeem man and bring us back to God, so obviously He desires all men to be saved and come to know Him forever.  Yet the simple invitation is "Who so ever will."

It is the glory or honor of kings to search out a matter.  The Word, in Revelation 1, declares this tribute to Jesus, "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  It is our honor as kings to search out knowing God and humbling ourselves to accept His invitation to come into a saving knowledge of God.  He honors those who honor Him with an intimate relationship of glorious life that never ends.