APRIL 23, Matthew 5:8

How can we see God if he doesn’t have a body? Can we or can we not see God? To “see” God means to be allowed into his presence. When you call the clinic and say, “Can I see Doctor today?” we don’t mean, “Can I get a look at him?” or, “Can I see a picture of him?” We mean, “May I have an appointment with him?” So the first thing seeing God means is being admitted to His presence.

The pure in heart “see” God as they are accepted by God and therefore allowed into His Presence. Now what does that mean? It is the sense of knowing Him and knowing that He is near. The pure in heart are close to God and have a close experience with God, which is the result of having our sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is a definite shift in the direction of our priorities. God’s interests become our interests. Our old lifestyle loses its fascination and we gain a sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

The pure in heart “see” God not in visions and dreams but see God at work in his gracious dealings with us, as Saviour, and living Lord, and personal friend. We “see” or have God as our comforter (Matthew 5:4) and counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and constant companion (2 Thessalonians 3:18).

The pure in heart also “see” God in His holy Word, and see the wonder-working power of God in nature and in events in history.

So when Jesus promises the reward of “seeing God” it is the beginning of a whole new view of life. It is a view that is expanded beyond the material world to the spiritual world. Indeed, we are now “seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27)! But one day soon, the bible promises us that the Lord Jesus Christ “shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Thought: Do you see the power of God changing your life?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to see You with the eye of faith while I try my best to be a better Christian. And I await the day when I can see You face-to-face. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.