The Known God

The sun seemed to be hotter on top of the mountain. Thank God for the breeze that cooled and soothed him, making the sweat on his brow seem refreshing instead of sticky.

The hill seemed to stretch for miles above Athens. The esteemed leaders sat before him looking partly bemused, partly condescending. They spent all their time learning about and worshipping false gods, so Paul wasn't really surprised. He had seen an altar with the inscription, "To the unknown god." Paul knew that they were deceived, searching, and as a result, worshipping anything.

But today they would learn the truth.

Standing in the midst of the Areopagus, Paul took a deep breath. He felt the calming presence of the Holy Spirit as all the men trained their judging eyes on him.

Today they would meet the unknown God. Today they would stop saying unknown. Today they would learn that He wanted to know them.

Based on Acts 17:22-25

"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "To the unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. he God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, or is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.'"

Acts 17:22-25

These verses are so true for people today. They are so relatable and applicable.

You may be sitting there thinking, "Religious. I'm not religious. I worship no one!"

That's not really true.

You see, we were created to worship. Created to look to Something greater then ourselves. Created to love Him. The Lord God of Heaven, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. But the god of this world, the enemy, tries to convince you otherwise. He convinces unsuspecting people to put their faith in false gods and religions, in science and evolution, in their own strengths, abilities, or god-ness. And we long to put our faith into something, anything. Whether we realize it or not, we all worship something.

Paul was telling the people to stop worshiping everything but the One who is responsible. God. He's the One our souls long for. Is the unknown God known to you? Do you worship something, anything, hoping it's The Real God?

The God of Heaven and Earth longs for you, too. The unknown God is here and waiting for you. He wants to be known by you.

V. Joy Palmer