WHAT WE REALLY NEED

READ: Acts 17:24-25, 27

²⁴ “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. ²⁵ And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else…  ²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 

REFLECT: Athens had idols on nearly every street corner. They even had an altar with the inscription “To an Unknown God.” That way they’d cover all their bases.

But Paul flipped the equation. God, he said, “is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.” (17:25) God doesn’t need anything from us. Instead we desperately need something from him. Which is why he sent Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

The mystery is why he chose us. Paul told the Athenians (17:27) that “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.” (v. 27)

We shouldn’t for a moment think this is because he needs us. Instead, it is we who need him. In fact, we’re nothing without him.

Some believe Christians are “holier than thou.” And I’m sure some act like they are. But a real Christian, one who truly understands the Good News Paul taught, have discovered how much they truly need God.

We need his peace to quiet our anxious minds; his calming presence to settle our restless hearts; his love to heal our deepest hurts; and his wisdom to guide us through the confusion of our lives. And, most of all, his forgiveness to lift the weight of our brokenness and sin.

The God who doesn’t need anything from us nevertheless sent his son Jesus to give us everything we truly need. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

RESPOND: Take a moment; let this sink in; The God who created the universe and created each one of us, wants to be in a relationship with you! Thank him for his love and grace. Then go in freedom for you are indeed a child of God.