Seeking the face of God

Seeking God’s Face

By Gary Batchelder

If I were to write a biography of George Washington I would have to rely on what Washington wrote of himself and what what others wrote about him. I’ve never been in his physical presence, never heard the timber of his voice, never seen his animated facial expressions, never picked up his body language. I would not have a clear picture of what it was like to be with him. In other words, I would have just words and what I read into them.

The knowledge of God is different. George Washington is dead and he cannot help me know him. God is very much alive and present, He is Life. We have His inspired written words. His words become alive if indeed the spirit within us is alive. When David spoke of seeking His face he was looking for more than words, he was looking for expression. Faces convey meaning, hate, love, approval, disapproval, sadness, and many other emotions. A facial expression can put an entirely different meaning on a phrase than that of a mere written word.

The Pharisees had God’s word. They studied it diligently and thought they had eternal life through the scriptures. Yet, when the Word came to them they did not recognize the One that the scriptures spoke of. They had not seen His face. They knew about Him in a distant detached way but they didn’t know Him in life. The miraculous evidence was not sufficient to end their blindness, it only made it darker. The warmth of God only hardened their hearts.

God cannot be known merely through words. Dead letter cannot acquaint one with a living God even as a dead person cannot introduce you to anyone. If those words are not illuminated by God Himself life is not produced.

The Holy Spirit conveys the expression. He is a person. If you turn your back on Him, plug your ears, not care to hear Him, you will remain dead. Death goes to hell. Life is God and the living go to His domain. Knowing the words about God is not knowing God even if you dress the presentation in religious garments so that it appears mystical and awe inspiring to the flesh. You are dressing up death like a mortician dresses dead bodies to make them appear alive.

Atheistic Cosmonauts said they didn’t see God anywhere in space. Of course not. When God hides from those that think themselves wise and intelligent none can see Him. When hearts are open like infants whosoever will can see Him.

Communion with Almighty God is the greatest human experience. God knows us, He wants us to know Him, His desire is for communion and that desire is far beyond our ability to comprehend. But God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. We must come to Him, not pretend to come to Him in religious robes. He sees through scams. When we present ourselves it must be all, not in dressed up reserved versions, the whole naked self. But how do we know that our presentation is real and full and that we are not fooling ourselves? If there is a modicum of sincerity God will take that reality and expand it if you keep coming and if you are willing to see the truth about yourself. Like a kind priest He will instruct you how to present yourself as a sacrifice by showing you what you are holding back. By revelation and experience your life will be transformed and God will become increasingly understood in your heart. The relationship will be deepened and enriched to the point that you begin to think, act, and feel like Him because of exposure to His divine influence. Your darkness is obliterated by His glory. Obedience becomes primary in your life and not forced. To walk in His Spirit becomes no longer a doctrinal dream but a joyous celebration. This world has nothing, God has and is everything you desire.

Seek Him with your whole heart, seek His face, know Him!

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