Scripture Reading: Acts 17:22–31
Introduction
A. With the technology available to us today, we have become very good at finding things, but can we find God?
B. If we wish to please God, we must “believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Discussion
I. First consider some places where God isn’t.
A. God does not live in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24; Hebrews 9:11; Acts 7:46–50; 1 Kings 8:27).
B. God will not abide in the presence of sinners or hypocrites (Numbers 5:1–3; Psalms 5:4–5).
II. Where is God in times of distress?
A. God was with Gideon (Judges 6:12–14).
B. God was with David when his enemies pressed upon him from every side (Psalms 22:1–2, 20–26; 42:3–10).
C. God was with Israel when the Assyrians threatened them (2 Kings 18:34; 19:34).
D. God was with His Son when everyone else forsook Him (John 16:32; cf. 2 Timothy 4:16–17).
III. As always, the Lord is in His holy temple.
A. God taught this lesson to Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:4, 20).
B. The temple of God is not made with men’s hands (Hebrews 8:2; Matthew 16:18; Daniel 2:44–45; Hebrews 12:22–23).
C. God lives within the hearts of those who are faithful to Him (John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 3:17).
Conclusion
If we wish to be where God is, we need to be faithful to Him, and He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).