Acts 17: 27 NIV
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
It is an interesting thing to think about, but God has made Himself vulnerable to our whims. When He created us, He gave us freewill. He wanted a family, not a cadre of marionettes. Nor did He choose to make us slaves to His will. He left the decisions and choices in our hands. It seems remarkable that He would have developed such an elaborate plan and yet left so many of the pivotal decisions to humans. Remarkable, yes but also laudable. This truth says a great deal about the nature of God and the dynamic of our relationship with Him.
He created paths for us to follow, paths which lead to Him. He gave us the means and the motivation to seek Him. The New American Standard Bible reads, “perhaps they might grope for Him.” What image does that generate for you. A blind people, lost in the dark, reach out searching for enlightenment and understanding. He gave us truths to undergird us so that we might have the ability to seek Him and find Him. He whispered His truths in our ears so that in our moment of epiphany we would know for whom to reach out.
In our hearts, those saved and even those not yet in the household, we know who He is. When we fall to our knees in the dark, we know the truth and it arises from our own spirits where the Father planted a bit of Himself. When we seek Him, when we reach out for an initial introduction or simply because we want more of Him, our searching hands find Him for He is with us. At this very moment, He is not far from any one of us, nor has He ever been. Even in our loneliness, He was there. Had we sought the light we would have found His hand reaching out to us with even greater purpose and determination.
He is here. He is with us and He wants more of us. He wants to be closer to our hearts, more integral to our days, and more intertwined with all that we are. Bless the Lord. Seek His face with all your heart, soul and mind. Reach out your hand and touch Him. Be Blessed!
Good morning Pastor Ivey, I’ve been reading your morning messages and as a new listener I have been seeking more of the Lord. I’m 81 and I’ve been a believer and follower for 40 years. This past year has been different in that the news of the day that I followed caused me to take my eyes off the Lord and put my thoughts, time, and attention on the news of the day. Last Sunday, I gave my testimony in church about this year and how I had taken my eyes off the Lord and what that did to me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. After reading your morning messages and joining my church in fasting for two weeks beginning the first Monday in Feb. I was drawn back to the Lord. Now instead of watching the TV news in the mornings, I start my day with scripture, prayer, and reading your message. What a wonderful change in my heart and direction. My son is also our Pastor and he said my testimony encouraged people to draw closer to the Lord and encouraged their hearts. I was blessed; so thank you Lord for allowing me to spend my mornings with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thank you Ivey for pointing us to the Lord God.