Originally posted: 1/28/2020

and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, ²⁷ that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (17:26-27).

His heart, so very different from or own. While we can easily tend to gravitate away from anything or anyone that is unlike us, anything deemed unlovely; not so with God.

God, Almighty God, has created us, placed us on this earth at the right time and place for one purpose: that we would seek Him and find Him. And He has not made it difficult, for He is Ever Within Reach.

Consider Him, Ever Within Reach

• Ever:
  • at all times; always
  • continuously
  • at any time
  • in any possible case

• Within Reach:
  • at a distance close enough to touch by reaching; close enough to be grasped
  • near (to); close (to); at a close distance (to); nearby

Can you imagine? Holy God desires to be known and found… by us! And while some may insist that knowing God is tantamount to groping in the dark to take hold of the impossible, He has made Himself close enough to be grasped, at all times, continuously, at any time and in any possible case. That is often a thought beyond my human ability to lay hold of, and yet His Word declares it so.

…that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (17:27).

And His Word has also laid out the parameter to be successful in our groping.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you…” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

When we search for Him with all our heart, with persistent faith, believing He is able and faithful to fulfill His promises, He is Ever Within Reach.

How do we respond to Him, Ever Within Reach?

Does it seem too simple? Yes, but then perhaps that’s because it doesn’t really depend on us at all. Imagine the child’s game of hide and seek. One person is “it” while the rest of the players hide. But if the one who is being sought is not hiding, the one who is “it” wins easily.

But this is no game, this is His Truth. And though the truth is, He is Ever Within Reach, we are not. Our sins have separated us from Holy God and have hidden His face from us.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short
That it cannot save;
Nor is His ear so dull
That it cannot hear.
² But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear, (Isaiah 59:1-2).

But His Word promises when we repent and turn to Christ Jesus, placing our faith in His blood shed on the cross as payment for our sins, then we are brought near to Him, Ever Within Reach.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, (Ephesians 2:13).

He is Ever Within Reach and we must, by faith seek Him daily. And because of our tendency to gravitate away from anything unlike us, we are in desperate need to become more like Him, to be conformed to His image through His Word.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son… (Romans 8:29).

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Romans 12:2).

Let us approach His Word as the Bereans, noble minded and eager to receive His Word, to study every day, that we would be transformed so as to stay near to Him, Ever Within Reach.

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed… (17:11-12).

He is waiting on us to grope for Him with all our heart, with an insatiable desire that cannot be satisfied apart from Him, that we would receive His gracious compassion and blessing.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him, (Isaiah 30:18).

Today in closing, let us grope for His gracious compassion and blessing, fully expecting to encounter Him, Ever Within Reach in the promises of His Word.

• Let us receive His gracious compassion and blessing as our Refuge Ever Within Reach.
  • Trust in Him at all times, O people;
    Pour out your heart before Him;
    God is a refuge for us, (Psalm 62:8).

• Let us receive His gracious compassion and blessing as our Healer Ever Within Reach.
  • The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    And saves those who are crushed in spirit, (Psalm 34:18).

• Let us receive His gracious compassion and blessing as our Access Ever Within Reach.
  • for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, (Ephesians 2:18).

• Let us receive His gracious compassion and blessing as our Helper Ever Within Reach.
  • Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, (Hebrews 4:16).

And oh, let’s not keep Him waiting, for He is Ever Within Reach!

Let’s Grow Together!