“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” 

Acts 17:27

“God did this” begs the question from Paul’s debaters: God did what? God made the world and everything in it; God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything; God determined the times set for (every man) and the exact places where they should live (Acts 17:24-26). God did this all for you, “Men of Athens!” (17:22). Pay attention to what I (Paul) am about to say next. And all ears pricked up for Paul’s so that! 

Times and places have changed ladies, but not our God: 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, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:19). What He did not verbally state, God made visibly clear: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1).  

Out of love for His creation, God gave. In the beginning God gave the tree of life to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:9); then to Abraham a promise: “all nations on earth will be blessed through (you)” Genesis (18:18); to David: “‘your throne will be established forever’” (2 Samuel 7:16); and finally, “his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He has always wanted men to seek him, to reach out for him, to find him. In Deuteronomy 31:6 He said it; in Hebrews 11:5 His Word repeated it: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

And once you have found Him, like Paul it is your turn to proclaim Him. You have a story and a winsome manner to give the reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15), especially when the world spins. Then the need is even greater for those around you to know that our God is in control: He is not far from (you).

Nancy P