How many times have you heard that question from some bewildered atheist or agnostic? Actually, there’s no such thing as an atheist. The vast majority of them are just bitter against God because they believe He failed to come through for them when they felt He should. The rest (agnostics, which are few in number) just don’t understand how God works. It is for them that I write this article. 

There are many reasons why God doesn’t physically reveal Himself to man. First and foremost, no man could withstand His glory and live (Exodus 33:20). How do I know this? Because God said this Himself! You’re going to have to take His word for it. 

But there have been times when God did reveal Himself to man in other ways and they still refused to believe, even to the point of serving other gods. Case in point, the children of Israel. 

The children of Israel had just been delivered from the Egyptians through mighty plagues (Exodus 5-13) and finally through the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:8-30). These were mighty miracles indeed, but it didn’t take long for children of Israel to forget them, start complaining and eventually erect a god of gold. In fact, they started complaining virtually on the heels of the parting of the Red Sea (30 days from their departure from Egypt).  

God had allowed them to run out of food so that He might test their faith in Him. Immediately, they started complaining to Moses saying that they would have been better off to have stayed in Egypt rather than to die in the wilderness. Moses immediately prayed to God to supply their needs. Of course He more then took care of them, but He also had another purpose in this situation: to test Israel to see if they would trust Him in all situations (Exodus 16:4).  

If you are a Bible student of any kind you know what happened; the children of Israel, after being physically led by God by a pillar of fire at night and a cloud at day, seeing His miracles, and hearing His voice, still refused to trust Him.  

In the last days, the Bible says that the Lord will return to earth and rule with a rod of iron. It will be a time of unprecedented prosperity. Those of that day will all know the Lord (and see Him), but many will eventually rebel against His rule even though they will have enjoyed the greatest prosperity the world has ever known.  

At the latter part of the millennium, God will release satan (whom He bound at the beginning of the millennium) to roam freely upon the earth (Revelation 20:3). Why would God release satan to disturb a perfect situation? Because it won’t be perfect! Even though the Lord will rule, secretly many will still long to rebel but will be powerless to do so--that is until Satan deceives them. 

Again, why would God allow this to happen? As I have said in the past, Satan has never been anything more than a tool in the hand of God to do His will and to bring us closer to the Lord. He will again use satan to separate the true believers from those that are merely paying lip service. In the end the plan will work flawlessly, separating the true Christians from the rebels who are left to be destroyed by God (Revelation 20:7-10). 

Luke 16 tells a story of a rich man who had died and went to hell. Seeing Abraham and Lazarus afar off, he immediately began frantically making requests that his torment be relieved. Of course, when a person dies without the Lord, his/her fate is sealed and can never be revoked. Realizing that there was nothing that could be done for him, his requests immediately turned for his family on earth. He asked that someone from the dead be sent to his family so that they might believe and not come to this horrible place. The following response from Abraham reveals what God has always known about the heart of man: 

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:29-31) 

So what is the conclusion to this? Even if God were to appear before you, lead and guide you, and do marvelous miracles, you still wouldn’t believe. Even if someone came back from the dead and told you of the horrors of hell you still wouldn’t believe. Even if Jesus himself came to the earth in the flesh and ruled, gave you unfathomable riches and happiness, you still wouldn’t believe. How do I know this? It’s already been tested! 

You see, God knows something better than you know yourself: YOU! He knew before the world began that you needed a Savior (Titus 1:2), that sight alone would not cause you to serve Him and that faith was the only proven and tested avenue. He also knew that your heart was desperately wicked (Jeremiah 16:9) and that you would not seek Him (Romans 3:11). 

I’m afraid that it is by faith that you must come to God, because without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). God uses faith to bring us to a place of repentance and to a position where we will trust Him no matter what the circumstances may be. He could show Himself to us but He knows the heart of man and knows that it won’t work. 

You may say, “Well, I still won’t believe until I see Him!” Then I’m sorry to hear that and there’s nothing else I can do for you but pray that God will one day open your eyes.  

For those whom God has spoken to through this article, you can know and have a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ His Son. He won’t become your personal genie, but He will lead and direct your life so that all things turn out for your good (Romans 8:28) in His timing… not yours. He’s also promised us a home in heaven that shall never pass away. 

If you would like to know the Lord, please pray this prayer: 

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."  

If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior please send me an email.

Now that you're a Christian there are a number of things you need to do. Get in a church. It is important that you find a good local church.

Start reading your Bible and praying daily. This is very important if you are to develop your Christian walk.

It is impossible to succeed as a Christian without these three basic fundamentals. No one can do it for you, only you. Allow Jesus to walk in your life.

Pastor Malone