“so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; Acts 17:27

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More literally, the verse reads, “to seek the Lord, if perhaps, indeed, they might feel for Him and might find Him, although He is not far from each one of us (CG).”

In the previous verse, Paul spoke of the creation of man and that God has pre-appointed the times and boundaries of their dwellings. He now continues this thought, saying, “to seek the Lord.” The meaning is, as many Bibles paraphrase it, “so that they should seek the Lord.”

In other words, rather than seeking a united power against the Lord as during the time of the Tower of Babel, the peoples were divided by languages and these nations were established and dispersed so that they would seek out the Lord instead. It should be noted that many manuscripts say “God” here instead of “the Lord.”

Either way, because the Lord is God, the meaning is not substantially changed. The thought here is expressed in Romans 1:19, 20 –

“…because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

God has made Himself manifest in the created world. It is obvious that the universe did not simply explode itself into existence. Nor is it eternal, as if it had always existed. These things can be deduced without the Bible. And more, it is evident that God didn’t just create a bowl of soup which then evolved into the various types of life on the planet. This is evident without the Bible as well.

However, with man united as one, their greatest desire is to eliminate God from the picture. On the other hand, as nations develop, there is a chance of them being governed in a manner that will allow their people to think through matters concerning God and pursue Him. Job was such a person.

But more, he was not alone. It notes in Job 1:6, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord.” This is not speaking of angels. Rather, it is referring to those people among whom Job associated and who believed in the Lord as handed down to them from the time of Noah.

This would not have been the case if the nations remained united. The Lord knew this and dispersed them. In doing this, Paul next says, “if perhaps, indeed, they might feel for Him and might find Him.”

The meaning of the words is obvious. In seeking after the Lord, he may be found through His general revelation of Himself. Paul gives a sense of this in Romans 2 –

“…for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Romans 2:14-16

The Mosaic Law is special revelation. But people know that it is wrong to steal. Even without the law being stated, they may willingly restrain themselves from stealing because of this. There is a moral conscience in man that tells him he should seek after God who has instilled this consciousness in him.

This is clearly evident because societies all over the world have laws against stealing. Only when a society has completely departed from the conscience instilled in them by God will it no longer enforce laws concerning stealing. Communism is designed to steal the people’s efforts away from them. Liberal governments allow looters and thugs to steal from stores that put forth the effort to gather and resell merchandise.

Even if man cannot be saved by general revelation, he can live a happy and content life, given to him by God, when he feels for Him and finds Him. Understanding this, Paul finishes with, “although He is not far from each one of us.”

Paul is surely tying this thought back to the abundant idolatry found in Athens, and indeed in the whole world. Instead of seeking God who is ever present with us and who has filled the universe with order and harmony so that it is evident it was done by a Designer, man makes up gods of his own. He bows down to them and worships them. These things, of man’s own imagination and production, become his gods.

What is near to us in what God has done, and which is so obviously created by Him, shows us that He is there.

Life application: Despite our knowing that God is right here with us, we want to bring our own gods closer, thus pushing the knowledge of Him out of our minds. Paul speaks of this in Romans 1 as well –

“…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:21-23

Because of this, an obvious cycle of degradation in man takes place, especially leading to sexual sin, but also all other sorts of immoral and destructive behavior. Take time to read Romans 1:24-32 to see what Paul says concerning this. While you are reading, compare the cycle of depravity to the world around you.

As the nations unite globally, and as power and authority are solidified more and more, what Paul writes about is becoming global as well. In the past, this cycle of perversion would cause a nation to finally collapse through war, disease, or internal destruction. When that happened, the ideas of that nation would end. Having nations separated allowed this to occur again and again without the whole world collapsing together.

However, that no longer needs to be the case. As the world unites, there can be only one inevitable result, global destruction. This is what the book of Revelation says is coming, but it is not limited to that book. Isaiah also speaks of such things. What was once not possible has now become inevitable. Pay heed and be ready to tell others about the goodness of God in Jesus Christ.

Lord God, how desperately we need to get the word out about You before it is too late. Help us to continue to tell others what they need to know before the time comes when the whole world falls under the deceiving influence of the antichrist. May we be wise in how we spend our time, O God. Amen.