Where Is God And Why Can’t We See Him?

During difficult periods, we often seek comfort and direction from the divine, casting our eyes skyward in search of God’s guidance. It is typical to look up when referring to the domain of God. However, from a scientific viewpoint, supported by factual evidence, there exists a vast universe beyond our sky, containing stars, gaseous formations, satellites, and a significant amount of cosmic debris.

So, where is God? This is a question often heard that no one can give a clear answer to, as God’s existence has been a long subject of doubt. Why doesn’t God answer the misconceptions about him? Why doesn’t he show himself so the devil won’t mislead people?

The Holy Bible tells us that God is a loving father who takes care of his children. When a child is born, what kind of father hides from his children? How can God the Father be so far away from his children if he is a divine father who’s actively involved in the lives of his children?

God’s Omnipresence

First and foremost, it is important to understand that God and His wisdom are not like anything else we encounter in our daily lives. The limitations of a human being do not constrain the Creator. If someone inquires about our location, we can only be in one area at a given moment.

God’s Word states that he sits on his throne in heaven and rules over the world. The Holy Bible emphasizes and tells us the truth about God’s omnipresence[1], which means that He is present everywhere all at once, even though we know that His presence is exclusive to heaven.

If you are a Christian, God is with you, next to you, above you, and within you; God is omnipresent. The concept of “Where is God?” is deeply ingrained in many religious traditions, highlighting the belief that God is present everywhere at all times. God’s presence never departs from you.

If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, God is inviting you, welcoming you, enticing you, and offering you the love, mercy, and grace that He desires to bestow upon you. Perhaps a more appropriate query than “Where is God?” would be “Where are you in your relationship with God?”

The omnipresence of God is a fundamental concept found in many religious teachings. It transcends the limitations and knowledge of physical boundaries and exists beyond the constraints of time and space. It is a divine attribute that signifies the pervasive presence of God throughout the entire universe simultaneously.

Various religious texts and teachings affirm this notion. For instance, in Christianity, the Bible expresses God’s omnipresence in passages such as Psalm 139:7–10, which states, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” Similarly, in Islam, the Quran emphasizes Allah’s omnipresence, with verses like Surah 57:4 stating, “He is with you wherever you are.”

Hinduism also recognizes the concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality, which is considered omnipresent. Philosophers like Thomas Aquinas and René Descartes have explored the concept of God’s omnipresence within their respective philosophical frameworks. Additionally, contemporary theologians and scholars offer nuanced interpretations, bridging philosophical developments and theological understanding.

The concept of the omnipresence of God—where God is today—inspires awe and reflects the belief that God’s presence is not confined to a specific location like heaven or earth but permeates every aspect of living things, providing comfort, rest, and reassurance to those who believe in Him.

Why Doesn’t God Appear To Mankind?

Truly, you are God, hiding yourself, O God of Israel, the Redeemer!

— Isaiah 45:15

The prophet Isaiah revealed that God did hide from his chosen people. It may seem strange, yet the Holy Bible teaches us the truth about why God conceals himself from humanity and the world. But why would he hide? Where is God hiding?

King David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), complained that in times of distress, he could not seem to locate God. In Psalm 10:1, he said, “Why do You stand so far away, Lord? Why do you hide at difficult times?” Again, in Psalm 13:1, he penned, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you continue to conceal your face from me?”

The same sentiment is repeated in Psalm 89:46: “How much longer, Lord? Will you conceal your identity forever?” Why is God doing this? Why not manifest himself? Why is God so difficult to find? This is exceedingly confusing to nonbelievers and believers alike.

While God does not appear to mankind in his true form, he wants us to seek him out. Through the grace and mercy of God, he allows us to see into his heart. “The Lord has displayed His righteousness in the eyes of the nations,” declares Psalm 98:2 of his deliverance and redemption. It is through his creation and the Holy Bible that God reveals himself to us. We can find God in nature, within us, in other believers, and the Scripture.

So, while we may not have a straightforward answer for where God is, and even though God seems far away, we must have faith in him and his promises. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Where Is God Amidst Tragedy?

It is never implied that individuals who believe in God are devoid of hardship. When wars or diseases inflict pain and death, everyone will suffer, and not one person is exempt. However, God’s presence provides calm and strength amidst the hurt we experience in life. Where God is, it should be in our hearts, first and foremost.

According to one disciple of the only Son of God, Jesus Christ, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).

We can also see in the New Testament scripture that even Jesus himself, during his crucifixion, called for God to cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), showing that even Jesus also experienced suffering in his flesh form by being crucified during his time on earth. However, on the third day, he was resurrected from the dead, fulfilling the promise of God to the world of eternal salvation from sin.

The facts indicate that bad things still happen in life, no matter what we do. Nevertheless, if we experience them while knowing God, we may respond with hope, a fresh perspective, and a strength that is not our own, just as Jesus did. God has the power to overcome evil, trouble, pain, and even death. God is greater than all potential challenges, and we are not left alone to face them, for God is with us.

According to the Holy Bible, “The Lord is kind and a shelter in times of difficulty. He is concerned for people who place their confidence in him” (Nahum 1:7). “The Lord is close to those who seek him, to all who seek him in honesty. He grants the requests of those who revere him; he hears their cries and delivers them” (Psalms 145:18–19).

The loss of every good thing in the world is intended to demonstrate that Christ himself more than makes up for all losses. The Old and New Testaments say so. The Apostle Paul states, “I count everything as a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows,” Jesus said in Psalms 145:18–19.

If you genuinely trust God, you won’t ask the question anymore, “Where is God?” for you trust that he has not forsaken you regardless of where he may be and that he will take care of you in a manner that no one else can.

Where Is God When We Reject Him?

Most of us, if not all of us, occasionally choose to resist God and his ways. People like us could be considered respectable and loving by others, especially when compared to terrorists or criminals. However, if we were to confront God with the bare honesty of our souls, we would know that we have sinned. We ask where God is, but we fall short of his glory and choose not to hear him.

God knows everything about us as we begin to pray, and it’s hard not to feel a little stifled by this realization. Our deeds and lifestyles have caused the gap between us and where God is. In the past, we’ve been tempted to believe that we could manage our lives without him. In the words of the Holy Bible, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to his way” (James 4:6).

Besides, even if we reject God amidst our troubles and suffering, we cannot run from him. Jeremiah 23:24 states, “Can a man hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and the whole earth? declares the LORD.”

Because of our sins, we have been cut off from God. Our permanent isolation from God is the price we pay for our sins. However, because of the death of Jesus the Savior, the Son of God, the forgiveness of sin has been made possible. We only need to seek and come once again to where God is and his word in prayer to make this happen.

How Can God Be Active Despite His Physical Absence?

Now that we know God is everywhere, we won’t have to ask, “Where is God?” But how does knowing that God is always present help us in our lives? Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he pledged that he would not wholly abandon Christians.

Jesus Christ reassured the disciples, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever… [and] the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of all I have said.”

God the Father sent the Holy Spirit as a source of power, guidance, and consolation amid the world’s problems following his Son Jesus’ death on the cross for our salvation for all eternity. Christians believe that through the Holy Spirit, God continues to instruct his people on earth.

God is omnipresent, both on earth and in heaven. The Holy Bible tells us that God said:

Where can I go with your spirit?

Where can I flee with your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there.

If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there, your hand will guide me.

Your right hand will hold me fast.

— Psalm 139:7–10

Christians can take comfort in God’s presence or in the fact that God is in every place on earth. He actively loves us, guides us, and protects us. Through the Holy Spirit, Christians rely on the guidance of God while making prudent choices. Isaiah 30:21 states, “Whether you turn right or left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the path; walk in it.'”

Jesus told the disciples they would eventually know the Holy Spirit because “he resides with you and will be within you.” It is through the Holy Spirit that God’s presence remains active in our lives as God’s people. The Holy Spirit leads, nourishes, and changes us from people who formerly lived for themselves into those who give their lives “for him who died for them and was risen.”

Furthermore, we can find where God is through his creation, which is a special way to sense his presence. By simply appreciating and contemplating its existence, we can recognize God and his presence in his creation. Studying the Holy Bible is also a way for us to feel the active presence of God. It is a gift of truth and light for the present world to find knowledge and the answer to the meaning of life.

In the Bible, we see Genesis, the beginning of the creation story of the heavens and earth that proves that God has always been completely present, and the Book of Revelation, where we see the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus—where he will triumph over evil so we can live forever with him and where God is in eternal life in the heavens, praising him in glory without sin.

How To Live In God’s Presence

To be in God’s presence is to know where God is, and it is a lifelong journey. Be patient with yourself and allow room for growth. The more you intentionally seek God and cultivate these practices, the deeper your connection with God will become, and the more you will experience the presence of God in your daily life.

1. Prioritize daily prayer: Set aside dedicated time each day to communicate with God through prayer. Find a quiet place where you can be alone with him, pour out your heart, express gratitude, seek guidance, and listen to his voice.
2. Engage in scripture reading: Make reading and studying the Holy Bible a regular part of your routine. Dive into God’s Word to gain understanding, find encouragement, and discover his promises. Reflect on what the Bible teaches and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ to your life.
3. Cultivate a spirit of worship: Worship is not limited to church services. Develop a lifestyle of worship by expressing reverence, gratitude, and adoration for God in various ways. Sing songs of praise, meditate on his goodness, and offer thanks for his blessings.
4. Foster authentic fellowship: Surround yourself with fellow believers who share your faith journey. Engage in meaningful relationships within your church or Christian community. Participate in small groups or Bible studies where you can encourage one another, pray together, and grow spiritually.
5. Serve others: Follow Jesus’ example of selflessness and service. Look for opportunities to extend kindness, love, and compassion to those in need. Volunteer in your community, support charitable causes, and bless others through your actions.
6. Practice gratitude: Develop a heart of gratitude by acknowledging God’s presence in every aspect of your life. Take time to appreciate his blessings, big and small, and thank him for his faithfulness. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance of God’s provision.
7. Embrace silence and solitude: Amidst the busyness of life, intentionally carve out moments of silence and solitude to connect with God. Find a peaceful place where you can detach from distractions and simply be still, allowing God’s presence to fill and renew your spirit.
8. Seek God’s guidance: Involve God in every aspect of your life. Seek his wisdom and guidance in all decisions, big or small. Trust in his direction, knowing that he is always with you and desires to lead you on the right path.

Summary

When things go wrong, we ask, “Where is God?” We might not be able to fathom using our human perception regarding where he is, but we must trust in the Spirit to remind us that God is always present and that he will never abandon us in adversity because that’s what God promises.

Just as Jesus Christ taught us, God resides in us and is ever-present. We must give him the glory, knowing that his power gives us hope and allows us to relax in his presence during prayer when we feel like we have none left. We must always keep the Spirit in our lives if we want to be in the presence of God.