August 19, 2016. Devotion

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, “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;  “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said,`For we are also His offspring.’  (Act 17:24-28 NKJ)

Paul is absolutely amazing.  He might not have been an eloquent speaker, but he knowledge of scripture and ability to defend the faith is impressive. 

God is the God of creation, not the God in creation.  Paul tells them that the God he knows cannot be contained at altars or temples of man. Stephen in his defense against the High Priest reminds them of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: `Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’ (Act 7:48-50 NKJ)

Athens was full of temples to this god and that god, but Paul tells them that not even the whole of creation can contain God and yet he is not far off from each one of us.