Walk Through Christian Theology: A Six-Day Devotional Exploring God’s Grand StorySýnishorn

REVELATION: GOD SHOWS HIMSELF TO US

Exodus 34:6: And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

In the year 1446 BC, Moses found himself on a mountaintop with God. Earlier on that same mountain, God had revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush. Moses asked who spoke to him, and God said, “I am who I am” (Ex 3:13–14). In this special revelation, God shared his name for the first time in history. Special revelation occurs when God reveals himself directly to humans.

Back to 1446 BC, Moses spent time alone with God again after watching him deliver his people from Pharaoh by plagues and parting the Red Sea. Through this first act of redemption, God revealed his character and faithfulness to his people, Israel. Moses desired to know more about God, however, and he brazenly asked God to reveal his glory. After tucking Moses into a cleft of a rock to protect him, God passed by and proclaimed his glory, which he also called his goodness. “The Lord” in English translates “Yahweh,” from the Hebrew as the special name of God in a covenant relationship with Israel. In God’s astounding self-revelation of his attributes to Moses, he declared himself a good, faithful, loving God.

Do you want to know God better? Scripture records his special revelation for all humanity.

Have you ever noticed God’s work in the world around you—in chattering squirrels, Spanish moss hanging from live oak trees, or the rugged peaks of the Rockies? God also reveals himself through general revelation—through his creation. The apostle Paul tells us that God’s visible creation reveals his invisible qualities—“His eternal power and divine nature.” The religions of the world throughout the ages demonstrate humanity’s attempts to know the God of creation. But we must worship the Creator himself rather than created things. Through general revelation, we can all know the creativity, intelligence, and love of our creator.

APPLICATION: God wants to reveal himself to you through creation, Scripture, and the God-man Jesus Christ. Ask God today to reveal himself through his word. Set aside time this week to explore the created world. See God’s signature everywhere. A whole world of God’s revelation waits for you, and he wants you to know him.

PRAYER: God of the universe, make me sensitive to your revelation in my world and my life. Reveal yourself to me. I want to know you more. Amen.

Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash.