W
hy do I feel timid, even somewhat embarrassed, about pronouncing these words? It feels like a taboo to state them in Christian circles. The idea of God being present has become so ingrained in our thinking, through sermons, testimonies, and songs, that we appear to have problems also acknowledging that He can be hidden and silent. Still, I speak regularly with believers who find truth in also saying, “He is not here.” I see youth leaving the church because they are told they should experience God’s presence in their lives. But as they struggle to meet expectations, they find only the opposite, His absence. His silence and hiddenness are experienced as a personal and spiritual defeat. If God’s presence is a sign of His favor, but you experience only His absence, why then continue in faith if He has turned His back on you? GOD’S HIDDENNESS IN SCRIPTURE
What We Believe
The Second Coming of Christ
He Is Not Here! Ready to join the community of those who long for what they still lack?
As I read the prophets, I find that they struggled with similar questions. In fact, they could be frank about the silence and hiddenness of God. If you haven’t noticed, take a look at such examples as Isaiah 45:15; 59:1, 2; Ezekiel 39:21-24, 27-29; Daniel 8:13; Habakkuk 1:2; or Zechariah 7:11-14. Yes, the reasons for His silence and hiddenness are complex. Deuteronomy 31:17, 18 states that God may hide His face because of human sins. But the sons of Korah protest and claim that they have not sinned to deserve God’s silence and hiddenness (Ps. 44:18-20, 24, 25). On the cross, Jesus Himself borrowed these painful words of David: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46; cf. Ps. 22:2).* The thrice-documented angelic assertion, “He is not here,” Image: Pexels / Elifskies
