In Acts 17, Paul travels through ancient Greece, a region known as Macedonia. His travels take him from Thessalonica to Berea, and eventually into the region of Achaia and the great city of Athens. There he speaks to people of varying backgrounds and philosophies about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He preaches to Jews and other devout people, as well as to Epicureans (followers of Epicurus) and Stoics, who believe that happiness consists of man becoming one with, or being in harmony with, the universe.
The Epicureans and Stoics took Paul to the Areopagus (a rock in Athens known as Mars Hill by the Romans, where philosophers met to hear new ideas). They wanted to hear more of what Paul spoke. And Paul did not disappoint.
As he spoke to them the gospel of God, he said, "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; 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" (Acts 17:26-27, NIV).
God made man, and after the Flood, He made all the nations of the earth from Noah. He even determined their "appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands" (v. 26b). And He did all of this for a purpose: "so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him" (v. 27a).
To "seek him" (v. 27a) is self-explanatory. Every day, in whatever circumstances you find yourself, seek Jesus. "Reach out for him" (v. 27a). If you do, you will find Jesus. In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (NKJV).
God has promised. When you seek Him, you will find Him, and He will take care of you and meet your every need. Amen.
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