When walking in the daytime, how often do you look directly at the sun? Human eyes cannot endure looking directly into the sunlight for more than a second without being blinded. The sun at high noon is not meant to be viewed with human eyes directly. It provides the light necessary for all in the world to navigate without stumbling. It preserves the life of every living thing on the planet. Without it, we would be in perpetual darkness, unable to see the world around us or maneuver our way through it. As I thought about these things, it came to my attention by the Holy Spirit that no one can see God and live. This particular thought was in direct reference to when Moses, on Mt. Sinai, asks God to show him His glory and God replies;
“I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” Exodus 33:19–20 (NKJV)
In two clear passages of the New Testament, we see references to Jesus’ face shining like the sun (Matthew 17:2 & Revelation 1:16). In the Old Testament, we read: His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, and there His power was hidden (Habbakuk 3:4).
To live by the Spirit of God, you must be able to see the world by the light that is shining around you, not by looking at it directly. When using a flashlight in the darkness, do you point it at your face, or in front of you where your eyes are looking? If you think you can endure looking directly into the Light of God while in this world and still effectively live for Him, you would be mistaken. Maybe this is a far-fetched interpretation of what God meant on Mt. Sinai when saying that “no man shall see me and live.” It still has relevance, inasmuch, as to see the face of God would most assuredly stop all movement towards a productive life. We would be so awed and blinded at the wonder of the glory and brightness of His face that it would cripple us!
Its no wonder He has chosen to hide His face from His people while they are in this world. Be encouraged, you who are in a relationship with Almighty God; that you do not need to see Him, to know He is with you. In fact, in this world, it is better to have faith without seeing Him directly (2 Corinthians 5: 6-8), trusting that He is continually lighting the path on all sides of you, while your eyes stay fixed on what is exposed, so as to keep you from stumbling in the way (Ephesians 5:8-14).
