Paul continued to share at Areopagus in front of the philosophers, educated, and common people in Athens about the Lord Jesus. Many had not heard about Jesus, so they were eager to listen to what Paul had to say. Last Thursday, in our devotion, we talked about the first point of Paul that God made the whole universe and everything in it and that He does not live in temples. Paul's second point is this: "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. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring'" (Acts 17:26-28).
God is the one who made all the nations and directed people where they should be born and live. We did not have any choice in where we were born. God planned where we were born and lived before the world's creation. For example, I was born in San Jose, CA, but I grew up in the Philippines. I did not choose to be born in the U.S. God planned it before I was born. Moreover, many people were born in other parts of the world but now live in the U.S. No matter where we were born and now living, God planned all of this to seek Him. Some were born in very wealthy families, and others were born in very poor families, but God's purpose in all of these is for all people to believe in Him and be saved, for in God, we live, move, and have our being. Many think they have control of their existence, but God has the final say about our existence in this world because He created us.
How should we respond to this important truth? We need to be thankful and continue to trust in our God, who has our life in His hands. God created us to live for Him, and He is not far from us. We will only find peace in our hearts when we follow and trust our Creator, for He knows what is best for us.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you) How should I respond knowing that God has my life and existence in His hands? What is God's ultimate goal in creating the nations and their boundaries? Why is it important to trust and follow our Creator?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that you are my Creator. My life is in your hands. You know my future and have a wonderful plan for my life. Please help me to follow and trust your ways. Do not let my heart stray from you, but pursue you with all of my heart. Please help me to trust you in whatever I will face today. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.