THEOSISGregory the Great
Verses 12-14. Do you not recall that God resides in the heights of the heavens, elevated above the stars? And you question, How can God know? He judges as if enveloped in darkness. The clouds obscure Him, leading you to believe that He cannot perceive our actions; He exists solely within the celestial sphere. Job 22:12-14. There are many whose spiritual senses are so numbed that their only fear is of what they can perceive physically. Consequently, they do not revere God because He is not visible to them. However, those who stray from the truth, believing themselves to be wise, utter scornful remarks against the faithful, mistakenly thinking that a lack of physical sight equates to a lack of fear.
Read more (284 words)
In their dulled perception, they presume that their Creator, who is exalted above the heavens and towers over the stars, is incapable of seeing from afar, and that the air separating us from the heavens means He, ‘judges as in darkness,’ and ‘the clouds have covered Him,’ appearing solely focused on the heights above while neglecting the earth below. Yet, who could even entertain such thoughts about God? The One who, though perpetually Omnipotent, is deeply attentive to all creation, being present with each individual, so intimately that His Presence is sufficient for all together. Although He withdraws from individuals during their transgressions, He remains present for those who seek His aid amidst their corrections. He envelops what is external while filling what is internal; He fills the inward so completely that He also encompasses the outward; He governs the highest realms without forsaking the depths; His presence in what is below does not diminish His sovereignty above. He is shrouded in His divine mysteries, known through His works and deeds, yet incomprehensible to even those who seek to know Him; He is present in such a way that He remains unseen, and yet His judgments bear witness to His existence. He reveals Himself to us in such a manner that the very glimpse of His essence envelops us in clouds, while simultaneously, He holds us in the darkness of ignorance—His light shining in our minds, raising us in grace and causing us to tremble in reverence. Though seeing Him fully is impossible, He allows those who know Him to perceive a glimpse of His glory. Yet, all this remains unnoticed by the heretics, who, in their arrogance, mistakenly believe they alone possess wisdom.