If Only I Had Direct Evidence of God's Existence!
How many times have you heard someone say something like, "If I only had some kind of direct evidence for the existence of God, I would believe"? One might think undeniable evidence would be sufficient proof, but is it? Is it guaranteed to cause people to believe in God and obey Him? Let's see.
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses repeats the Law God gave at Mount Sinai, first recorded in Exodus 20. He then reminds the new generation (about to conquer the Promised Land) how terrifying a sight their parents viewed. "So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that…you said: 'Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire'" (Deut. 5:23-24, emph. gws). The sight proved to be so awesome that they begged Moses for God to quit speaking to them directly; from then on, God spoke to Moses, and then he spoke to the people.
Would the burning mountain and God's voice be enough to convince most people that God exists? It would be difficult not to believe. While Israel was at the very foot of the mountain, "the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness" (Deut. 4:11). They saw no form for God; they "only heard a voice" (v. 12). That voice declared His covenant—"that is, the Ten Commandments" (v. 13). Again, no Israelite could doubt his eyes and ears. What they saw and heard was, beyond any reasonable doubt, the voice of God.
Therefore, they could not possibly disobey Him, uh, could they? Moses went up on the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. Did God leave during that 40-day period? No! Observe: "So I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire, and the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands" (Deut. 9:15, emph. gws). Presumably, the fire had continued during the time Moses was atop the mountain. If it did not, the memory of what had occurred would still be fresh in their minds. If so, Israel insisted upon, and Aaron created, the golden calf in the very presence of God. How could they think God would not notice?
Obviously, some would rebel against God even in Heaven, which is the reason they will not be allowed in. The fact is that there is no lack of evidence for the existence of God—whether the proof is immediate, as in the time of Moses, or whether it comes through the written word and logical deduction, as in our time. What makes the difference is the attitude of the individual. Are we grateful for all that God has done for us? Or are we selfish and irresponsible? Hopefully, we will respond to God's grace, love, patience, and compassion properly.