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: ACTS 17:27
Is there a God? This is the first question in religion. And the proofs of his being are so numerous and convincing, that few are foolish and vile enough to deny it. The next question is, or at least ought to be, How does he stand related to us? Is he our friend, or our foe? Is he inaccessible, or can we approach him? Is he near, or is he far off? To this inquiry we have here a full answer: “He is not far from every one of us.”
He is not far from everyone of us, in his essence. “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” Well might David say, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Yet deism itself allows that he occupies universal space, and that it is impossible to confine him. Here is a broad, an infinite distinction between creatures and God. No creature, not even an angel, can be ever in two places at once. But God is everywhere at the same time. And what a thought it is, that wherever we are, He is a God at hand, and not a God afar off, about our path and our lying down, and acquainted with all the imaginations of our heart! Do we believe it? If we reduced our faith to practice, what manner of creatures should we be in all holy conversation and godliness! Could we ever sin, with God standing by and looking on?
He is not far from everyone of us, in his natural and providential agency. Therefore adds the apostle, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. “And therefore says he again,” He never left himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” And says David, “That his name is near, his wondrous works declare.” Can we behold the appearances around us–can we observe the vegetable world with all its variety and beauty–can we think of the myriads possessing animal life, visible and invisible, in air and earth and sea–can we reflect upon the human race so fearfully and wonderfully made and endued, and know that not one of all these beings is self-produced, or self-sustained–that the eyes of all wait upon him, and he giveth them their meat in due season–that he openeth his hand and satisfieth the desires of every living thing, and be senseless enough not to see, to hear, to feel, that God is not far from everyone of us?
He is not far from everyone of us, in religious dispensation. In this sense the Gentiles were said to be far off; but the Jews were a people near unto him: for what nation is there, says Moses, that hath God so nigh unto them? He resided in the midst of them by his laws and ordinances. They could see his power and glory in his sanctuary. They could hear his voice in his prophets. To them were committed the oracles of God. In every perplexity they could consult him; and he communed with them from off the mercy-seat. Thus we are equally, yea, much more eminently privileged. Not that we have the same ceremonial splendor, or the same miraculous interpositions; but we have all their spiritual advantages improved and completed. We have the day of their dawn. Their prophets and righteous men desired to see the things that we see, and did not see them; and to hear the things that we hear, and did not hear them. But blessed are our eyes, for they see; and our ears, for they hear.
“The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” We have his word in our hands. We have his Sabbaths. We have his servants, and the sound of their Master’s feet is behind them; for they come in his name, and he that receiveth them receiveth him.
He is not far from every one of us, in his gracious influences. Oh that you could be made sensible of your fallen condition, and of your need of pardon and renovation! Oh that you were convinced that your understandings must be enlightened, and your hearts changed; and that all this must come from Him who worketh all in all; and that you were disposed to apply to him! You would soon find that he is able, that he is near. Your cries or groans would instantly reach him. He is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
But in this sense He will not be always near. Therefore seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near. He is not far from everyone of us, as an approaching Judge. People imagine his advent is a great way off, and hence they are so little impressed by it. But “the coming of the Lord draws nigh.” “The Lord is at hand.” “The Judge standeth before the door.” This was said almost two thousand years ago. What then is the fact now? Yet say some, it cannot be even now very near, for much remains to be previously accomplished. But God does not act according to our conclusions. He can cut short his work in righteousness. Yet let us allow the truth contained in the objection. His coming by death is the same to you in effect as his coming at the last day. As soon as you are dead, as to you the prophecies are all accomplished, and your state is fixed. There is no pardon, no prayer, after death. And is death far off? When you reflect upon the brittleness of your frame, you must acknowledge that there is but a step between you and the Judge of all!