Is Knowing God Easy? Ten Ways He Reveals Himself to Us
From Dust to Eternity - Psalm 103 - Part 11: The Truth is God Wants to Be Known.
Part 11 of “From Dust to Eternity”. This series is a deep-dive discussion of a biblical passage one line at a time. Search “Psalm 103” for the rest.
We Can Know God
"He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel" (Psalm 103:7)
In our examination of Psalm 103, we’ve gone from personal benefits to God's universal justice, and now David takes us on a journey through salvation history. He reminds us that the God we serve is not a distant, unknowable deity but one who reveals Himself to His people.
And remember, as we have said many times, David is talking to himself about God. In our study, we imagined that he was standing before a polished bronze surface, a mirror, looking at himself the way we do today. And he is talking to himself.
And so he says in verse 7:
"He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel." —Psalm 103:7
This is packed with significance. It speaks of a God who communicates, wants to be known, and involves Himself in human history.
Where Does Religion Come From?
We should remember that without God revealing Himself, we would not know much about Him. Imagine that. We are born on this planet, grow up, live, and then die. And somewhere along the way, because we are thinking, sensate beings, we start asking questions.
Why am I here on earth?
What should I do with my life, choices, and skills?
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
Where can I find some answers?
All religions stem from people asking these questions and searching for answers. They begin in the mind of a philosopher or a mystic who tries to write a comprehensive guide or pathway to enlightenment.
Throughout history, we see this pattern. For example,
Buddhism emerged when Siddhartha Gautama, wrestling with questions of suffering and existence, developed the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path after his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
Hinduism evolved through the philosophical inquiries of ancient Indian sages who composed the Upanishads, seeking to understand the relationship between the self (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman).
Confucius developed his ethical system while contemplating how to restore social order and moral behavior during a chaotic period.
Taoism emerged from Lao Tzu's reflections on the natural order and harmony of existence.
Bahá'í Faith, founded by Bahá'u'lláh in the 19th century, began with deep philosophical questioning about the unity of religions and humanity's spiritual evolution.
While these paths emerged from human questioning, they contrast with the Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – which trace their origins to divine revelation rather than purely human philosophical inquiry.
In other words, David is right about God. He has revealed his ways to us. We don’t have to guess who He is. It is clear. Apart from His self-revelation, the answers to those questions would be guesswork.
Ten Ways to Know God
Generally speaking, there are ten ways that God has shown us who He is and revealed Himself to us.
First, we see His fingerprints in nature and creation - from the vastness of galaxies to the intricate design of DNA, the universe points to an intelligent Creator.
Second, God has revealed Himself through His written Word, the Bible, which provides a detailed account of His character, actions, and plans for humanity.
Third, we witness His presence through miracles, both historical and contemporary, that defy natural explanation and demonstrate supernatural intervention.
Fourth, God uniquely revealed Himself through the person of Jesus Christ, who lived among us and demonstrated God's nature through His teachings, actions, death, and resurrection.
Fifth, we experience His revelation through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, who brings conviction, guidance, and spiritual understanding to believers.
Sixth, God reveals Himself through human conscience—the universal moral law written on human hearts that points to a divine Lawgiver and helps us discern right from wrong.
Seventh, God manifests His presence through the Sacraments of the Church—sacred rituals like Communion and Baptism that are visible signs of His invisible grace and work in our lives.
Eighth, He sometimes communicates through dreams and visions during sleep or waking hours, providing divine guidance and insight as He did with many biblical figures.
Ninth, God speaks through personal encounters and visions, moments when individuals experience His presence in profound and transformative ways.
Finally, He reveals Himself through deep internal convictions and what some describe as His "still, small voice"—those clear inner promptings and thoughts that align with Scripture and guide believers in their daily walk with Him.
God’s Ways and Actions
David says that God made known His ways to Moses and His acts to the people of Israel. He could have said it by the Law, which would also be true. God showed Himself as a Lawgiver.
But David has in mind (perhaps) the scene in Exodus 34, where God proclaims His name to Moses, describing Himself as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." This was God revealing His ways and His character to Moses.
Maybe David has in mind bigger moments in the history of Israel through which God showed himself: the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna in the wilderness. These weren't just random displays of power; they were revelations of God's nature, faithfulness, and commitment to His people. God actively saved His people.
God Wants to Be Known
The God we serve is not silent or hidden. He reveals Himself. He's made known His ways—His character, His heart—throughout history. He's demonstrated His power and faithfulness through mighty acts. This same God wants to reveal Himself to you. Are you listening? Are you watching? Don't miss His self-revelation in Scripture, in creation, in your life experiences. Seek to know His ways, not just benefit from His acts.
It is not always easy to find God or understand where His presence is. David knew that himself. Remember what he wrote in Psalm 27:
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. --Psalm 27:8-9
Read that again slowly. David is saying this: Ok, Lord, you have said I should seek you. And I know where to look. So I will seek you. But please do NOT hide your face from me.
But David did seek the Lord. And he encountered Him.
So now, we can say to ourselves with confidence our version of Psalm 103:7. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, who makes known His ways and acts!" Try it!
When we understand that God wants to be known, it should motivate us to seek Him more earnestly. We should approach Scripture not just as a rulebook but as a revelation of God's character. We should look at our lives and our world, seeking to discern God's acts and His ongoing involvement in human affairs.
As we continue our journey through Psalm 103, we'll explore more aspects of God's character as revealed through His dealings with His people. But for now, let's marvel at this truth: our God is a God who reveals Himself and who wants to be known by His creation.
"He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel" (Psalm 103:7)
The Rev. David Roseberry, an ordained Anglican priest with over 40 years of pastoral experience, offers leadership services to pastors, churches, and Christian writers. He is an accomplished author whose books are available on Amazon. Rev. Roseberry is the Executive Director of LeaderWorks, where his work and resources can be found.