Does God Exist? Is God Near Us? |  Bible Reading Plan for Seekers | January 18 

🌱 A Warm Welcome

Welcome to our 365-Day Journey to Discover God!

Have you ever wondered where God would be if He really exists?

Perhaps you imagine Him somewhere far beyond the sky, or in a grand religious building. Or maybe you think that if there really is a God who created the universe, He must be so great that someone as ordinary as you could hardly matter to Him.

Sometimes, especially when life is difficult, we may wonder: If God exists, why can't I feel His presence? How far away is He?

Today's Bible reading comes from a remarkable moment nearly two thousand years ago. The Apostle Paul was in Athens, speaking to people with different religious and philosophical backgrounds about the God described in the Bible.

He told them something surprising: God is not far from any one of us.

What did Paul mean? And if God really isn't far away, why do we sometimes feel that He is?

Let's explore these questions together.

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📖 Bible Background | Why Did Paul Talk About God in Athens?

The Book of Acts is part of the New Testament. It describes what happened after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, as His followers began sharing the gospel and the Christian message spread from Jerusalem into other regions.

The book is traditionally attributed to Luke and continues the story begun in the Gospel of Luke.

Today's passage takes place in Athens, a major center of Greek culture and philosophy. The city was known for its philosophers, religious traditions, and many temples and statues dedicated to different gods.

When Paul arrived, he saw that the city was filled with idols. He spoke with people in the synagogue and marketplace, and he also encountered philosophers from the Epicurean and Stoic schools.

Curious about what Paul was teaching, some of them brought him to the Areopagus to hear more.

Paul began by referring to something his audience already knew. While walking through the city, he had noticed an altar bearing the inscription "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD."

Using this as a starting point, Paul introduced the God he believed was the Creator of the universe.

He explained that this God made the world and everything in it. He doesn't live in temples built by human hands, nor does He depend on people to supply His needs. Instead, He gives life, breath, and all things to humanity.

Today's reading, Acts 17:26–28, comes from the middle of Paul's speech.

This passage is especially meaningful for seekers because Paul was speaking to people who did not already share his beliefs. He began with ideas they could understand and invited them to consider a different view of God.

🌿 A Look Back | What Does the Creator Have to Do with My Life?

Throughout our journey so far, we've been exploring one central question: Does God really exist?

In Genesis, we encountered the Bible's opening declaration that God created the heaven and the earth. In Psalm 19, we considered how the beauty and order of nature led David to reflect on the Creator's glory.

Later, in Psalm 139, we read David's belief that God knows not only the vast universe but also a person's thoughts, words, and everyday activities.

These passages have gradually brought us toward a more personal question.

If God created the universe and knows everything about human life, what kind of relationship might He have with us?

Today, Paul's speech in Athens gives us another perspective.

He doesn't simply tell people that God created the world. He also says that our very existence depends on Him.

🔎 Today's Introduction | Why Does God Sometimes Feel So Far Away?

Think about what we mean when we say someone feels far away.

Sometimes we mean physical distance. A friend may live in another country, making it difficult to see each other.

But distance isn't always measured in miles.

Two people can live in the same house and still feel emotionally distant if they rarely communicate. Meanwhile, close friends who live thousands of miles apart may feel connected because they understand and care about each other.

Closeness isn't only about location. It's also about knowing someone and having a relationship with them.

When we think about God, we may face similar questions.

If we can't see or touch Him, how can we know whether He exists? And if He does exist, how could we begin to know Him?

In Athens, Paul made a statement that invites us to think differently:

"Though he be not far from every one of us." — Acts 17:27 (KJV)

Why did Paul believe this?

Not because everyone could directly sense God's presence, but because, according to his teaching, our lives depend on the Creator at every moment.

🎯 Today's Reflection Focus | In Him We Live, and Move, and Have Our Being

1. God Made All Nations — Humanity Shares a Common Origin

Acts 17:26 says:

"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;"

Paul begins by telling his audience that although humanity is spread across the world, with different languages, cultures, and ways of life, we share a common origin.

The KJV phrase "of one blood" emphasizes the unity of the human family.

In the ancient world, people were often divided by nationality, culture, and social status. Some considered their own people or traditions superior to others.

But Paul presents God as more than the god of one particular nation or region. He describes Him as the Creator of all humanity.

This raises a meaningful question: If every human life ultimately comes from the same Creator, should a person's worth be determined only by wealth, status, culture, or achievements?

Paul also says that God determined the times and boundaries of the nations. This reflects his belief that God is sovereign over human history, not that we can use this verse to predict an individual's future.

2. God Invites People to Seek Him — Our Questions Can Be a Starting Point

Verse 27 says:

"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:"

This verse is particularly important for our journey.

Paul believes that the Creator not only gives people life but also intends for them to seek Him.

The expression "feel after him" suggests reaching out or searching for something we don't yet fully understand.

That may sound familiar if you're exploring Christianity.

Perhaps you're interested in faith but still have many questions. Maybe you think God could exist but aren't yet convinced. Or perhaps you simply want to understand why so many people believe in Jesus.

You don't need to pretend those questions have already been answered.

Notice that Paul doesn't say everyone already knows God. He says people should seek Him, and that He is not far from them.

3. In Him We Live, and Move, and Have Our Being — Our Dependence on the Creator

Verse 28 begins with one of the most memorable statements in Paul's speech:

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being;"

What does that mean?

To "live" is to have life. To "move" points to our ability to act and carry on our daily activities. To "have our being" means that we exist.

Paul believes that human life is not independent of the Creator. Our existence itself depends on God.

This doesn't mean we don't need food, air, water, or the natural processes that sustain life. Rather, Paul is asking his listeners to consider the ultimate source of life and everything that makes it possible.

He continues by quoting words from Greek poetry:

"For we are also his offspring."

By using a familiar saying, Paul helps his audience consider the connection between humanity and the Creator. He isn't teaching that human beings are themselves gods. Instead, he is emphasizing that human life is not unrelated to the One who made it.

For someone exploring faith, this raises an important question:

If my life depends on a Creator, could getting to know Him be more personally meaningful than I ever imagined?

💭 Life Reflection | If God Is Near, Why Can't I Feel Him?

Perhaps you've wondered: If God really exists, why doesn't He simply show Himself to me?

That's a natural question.

We're used to learning about the world through what we can see, hear, and touch. When something isn't directly observable, we usually need other ways to investigate and understand it.

Questions about God's existence and His relationship with us involve faith, philosophy, and the meaning of life.

Today's passage doesn't ask us to ignore our doubts. It doesn't promise that reading three verses will suddenly make us feel God's presence.

Instead, Paul expresses what he believes about the Creator: God isn't distant and indifferent to humanity. He gives life and makes it possible for people to seek Him.

Think about how much we depend on things we rarely notice.

Take the air we breathe. Most of the time, we don't stop to think about every breath, yet we depend on air constantly. The same is true of sunlight, water, and food. They're such familiar parts of everyday life that we can forget how precious life really is.

Of course, these things alone don't prove that God exists. But they can remind us that some of the most important things in life are also the easiest to take for granted.

Paul invites us to think more deeply about the source of our existence.

Maybe you're still unsure whether God exists, or you don't quite understand what it means for Him to be near.

That's okay.

You can continue reading the Bible with those questions in mind.

If there really is a God who makes it possible for me to live, move, and exist, what kind of God would He be? Why would He want people to seek Him? And how could I begin to know Him?

Perhaps exploring faith isn't about having every answer immediately. Maybe it begins with a willingness to keep searching.

✍️ Questions & Small Action | Notice What You Usually Take for Granted

Questions to Think About

1. When you hear the words "God is not far from every one of us," how do you respond? Do you feel curious, comforted, skeptical, or unsure?

2. What are some important things you depend on every day but rarely stop to think about?

3. If God really gives us life and wants people to seek Him, how would you like to begin getting to know Him?

Today's Small Action

Find a quiet moment today and spend three to five minutes simply noticing your breathing.

You don't need to do any special exercise. Just put aside what you're doing for a moment and become aware that you're breathing and that you're alive.

Then think about a few ordinary things that make your life possible or meaningful.

It might be sunlight, clean water, a meal, or a safe place to rest.

Ask yourself:

"Have I ever seriously thought about why life itself exists?"

If you'd like, write down one question that comes to mind and carry it with you as you continue exploring faith.