Acts 17:23

‘THE UNKNOWN GOD’

‘The unknown God.’

Acts 17:23

Let us pass from the streets of ancient Athens to the streets, and houses, and churches of modern England. What lessons have we brought with us? The Athenians loved to hear some new thing, especially in religion. So it is with many of us now. There are people who think the faith of their fathers is worn out, and that the old path to Heaven is too common. These are ever clamouring for some new thing. And the reason of this is that to them, as to the Athenians, God is an unknown God.

I. He is unknown to many who read the Bible.—They read His Word without interest, as a task. The Bible is not a living book to them, but a museum of fossil remains, a collection of antiquities. These will read a work of fiction with breathless interest, and fall asleep over the eternal truths of God.

II. God is an unknown God to those who do not realise His constant Presence.—You all believe that God is everywhere, omnipresent, but have you ever realised this, that He is about your path and about your bed, spying out all your ways? In church you feel God’s presence, perhaps, and hence you bow your knee reverently; but do you remember that this same God is with you out in the world, in your business, in your pleasures, in the sunshine of mid-day and its busy life, and in the quiet hours of darkness when you are alone with God? If we fully realised this fact, surely some of us would be more careful in our way of life, more guarded in our words, and works, and thoughts; in the employment undertaken, in the pleasure indulged in, and the society frequented.

III. God is an unknown God to many who say their prayers.—There are many persons who are enthusiastic enough about their work or amusements, who are languid and spiritless in their prayers. They ask God for the greatest blessings, or speak to Him concerning the most tremendous issues of life, with words which are often as the idle wind that bloweth.

Illustration

‘A clergyman, whilst travelling in Scotland, was struck by the appearance of a Highland maid, whose bright face seemed to indicate that she had never known cave. He questioned her, and found that she had never thought seriously on any subject, or looked beyond her present careless, happy life. As he was leaving the place the clergyman asked the Scotch girl if she would promise to say a short prayer daily till they met again, and the prayer which he taught was in four words, “Lord, show me myself.” After a time he came to the neighbourhood again, and found the Highland maid still there, but utterly changed. She was no longer the light-hearted, careless being of old times, and she assured her friend that her prayer had been answered, and now that she saw herself she was miserable. The clergyman taught her a second prayer, “Lord, show me Thyself,” and when they next met the face of the Highland girl was once more bright and happy. “What can I do,” said she, “to show my gratitude to Jesus, Who has done so much for me?” “Learn yet another prayer,” was the answer; “it is this: ‘Lord, make me like unto Thyself.’ ” ’