Some time ago I viewed a You-Tube video of live newscasters from various networks reporting the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. I was intrigued by the observation that one after another as the second plane crashed into the twin towers virtually every reporter stated, “Oh God!” In that instant it was clear that the first plane had not simply been a terrible accident, but that these planes represented a deliberate attack upon America.
“Oh God,” desperate mortals call out when plunged into horrors beyond their control.
When Paul reasoned with the high-browed philosophers of Athens, he spoke to the nearness and availability of God, something their instincts had smothered and their intellectual approach had missed:
“The God who made the world and everything in it …gives everyone life and breath … he made all the nations… and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 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.”
Paul then cited the Cretan philosopher Epimenides, giving his words new meaning, ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ Then he quotes the Cilician Stoic philosopher Aratus, who said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (Acts 17:24-28)
Men… philosophers, poets… mere men, trying to resolve the mysteries of human existence. They cannot, but innately, we can come close. In another place Paul wrote,
“…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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 people are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:19-20).
But deeper understanding of God, His Love, His Holiness, Justice and plan of redemption, must come by revelation, from God Himself. And it has! As John summarizes,
Through Him [Christ] all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made…. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory… full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:2-3, 14, 18). (See also 1 John 1:1-4).
In his message last Sunday Pastor Andrew pled with us in the words of Isaiah, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isa. 55:6)
Christ can be found now… He is near now…. In fact He is seeking you now.
Do not presume to postpone this rendezvous.
Now He is nearby, but at any moment you may not be.
“No one knows when their hour will come” wrote Solomon (Eccl. 9:12). “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” pens the author of Hebrews (Heb. 9:27), and Paul pleas “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2).
More tomorrow…
To hear Pastor Andrew’s full message, click here… look under ‘Media’ for the May 12 message.
thebrokenrunner 
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