Looking for God

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (Acts 17:27 KJV)

Standing in Athens, Paul spoke to everyone throughout time. If we feel after God, we just might find Him. He is not far away. Perhaps there are those who will never look for God. Some are busy keeping away from His presence.

There are so many reasons for not looking for God.

First off, it may take some time. The harder one’s heart has become, the less likely they are to accept what is being offered to them. Every day God is providing road signs to the strait way. For many people, those signs appear to be detours from their pleasures and they continue to look for broad way.

Besides, it is simply not logical, they say. Give me proof, they say. There are contradictions, they say. That is impossible, they say.

At times Christians back away from these detractors. The Bible tells them: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew 7:6 KJV)

At times, it is good to back away. We should not be forcing someone to come to Christ when we can be spending time with those seeking His love. There isn’t time to waste, for the laborers truly are few.

Matthew, Mark and Luke give witness, but Mark’s is more in depth: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Mark 6:11 KJV)

Look instead for the opportunities exampled by the Ethiopian reading Isaiah. There are those searching the scriptures, looking for answers. Prepare to be Philip, answering those questions as God gives the opportunity.

I like the way Alister McGrath put it: “Through the generosity of God, we have been left with a latent memory of Him.” We will seek Him in love, or we will fight Him in anger. No one ignores Him for very long.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalms 28:7 KJV)

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 117:1-2 KJV)