Why does God not make himself obvious? Why not write his name on the surface of something that we could not miss? The short answer is that God does not hide. He is visible in the stars and everywhere in this world. He is there for everyone who seeks him desiring to know him.
Psalm 19 describes three ways God reveals himself to all who will look for him.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
Psalm 19:1-6
The first way God reveals himself is in the heavens. As we look up to the sky we see God's handiwork and the order he has given to the universe. We understand that the God who made these things is great in power and magnificent in wisdom. Paul, the missionary to people who did not know of this God, told them they could see these things in what he had made. ...what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made... Romans 1:19,20
And throughout history, people in all kinds of places and times have been drawn to this God who created the universe. Even today, many physicists and cosmologists are impressed by the design and fine-tuning they see in the Universe and acknowledge that the best explanation for these things as they are is a super mind. No. God is not hiding.
Then there is a second way God reveals himself and his wisdom and goodness in the sky; he lovingly provides for us. He sends rain and provides for crops in their season and the sun that sustains life for all. Paul tells people who did not know this God: We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:15-17
The third way God reveals himself is in his wise and good instructions for life, the law. Again in Psalm 19, the poet describes how vital those instructions are for us and how good they are.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
Those who understand and follow God's instructions will know that they are not of human origin but are from God who designed life and gives us an instruction manual for living life well. Does God hide himself? No. Look around. Look at God's instructions. God is revealed in all these things. Everyone who chooses to live by the instruction he gives knows how good God is.
The whole Bible shows us that God is not unconcerned with himself but is ultimately for himself. We see that God restores and even saved the Israelites from Egypt for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:1-3; Psalm 106: 7-8). We are not only told to do good works to glorify God but to do everything for the glory of God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
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