The young man drove from Los Angeles up to Yosemite National Park on an unusually beautiful day in February. He didn’t believe in God. On one mountaintop, he viewed an immense valley filled with snow-covered pines.
He was awe-struck by their majesty. Did he see God in His gift of beauty? Did the young man credit God for these wonders? Where would you look for God?
In Acts 17:16-31, the apostle Paul was observing the city of Athens. It was full of idols and temples honoring the many gods of the great city. “So Paul...said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship,” he began, opening his lecture about their beliefs, gaining their full attention and respect.
Paul there to reason with them and instruct them. He went on to say, ““I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you” (Acts17:23).
Paul wasn’t insulting them. They understood that this was merely one more god they’d not heard of yet. But they will!
“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;” Acts 17:24-25).
Paul reasoned that the “UNKNOWN GOD” cannot be confined by men in buildings. He made boundaries for men, rather than men limiting Him. Because this God is so big in His power, no other god is needed.
Therefore, men have the responsibility to exhaustively look for Him, “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).
Paul would have them know that this God isn’t confined in a building or box, nor in an image made by men. He is close to you!
They were looking for God in all the wrong places, in all the wrong faces. They merely needed instruction. So, where would you look for God? Is He conveniently located in a book or newspaper article? In a statue or charm dangling from a necklace?
God can be found everywhere. But you must “seek” Him. This requires diligently wanting more knowledge of Him. Don’t ever give up on Him. He hasn’t given up on you!