The Omnipresence
of God
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. (Ps. 139:7-8 KJV)
God is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. There is no other being in existence that shares these qualities. What is the omnipresence of God?
The Psalmist makes some exciting remarks above about God’s presence. He begins by asking if there is somewhere he can run away from God’s presence. He mentions two potential places. If he goes up to heaven, God is there. This comes as no surprise to us, as God dwells in heaven. However, the next place he mentions really defines the omnipresence of God more clearly. He says even if he runs to hell, the place of the dead, God is still there. God, also present in hell? Does this mean you have God’s holiness or the joy of His presence in hell? Well, no. This is the difference between the omnipresence and the holy presence of God.
Two key features characterize the omnipresence of God. The first is that He knows everything everywhere. That is, everything is before His face or eyes. This is why the Hebrew word for presence in the Old Testament is the word for face. Creation is literally before God’s face, nothing hidden from Him. The second is that everything is within His reach, in every place. He knows everything and has complete power everywhere at all times( overlap of omniscience and omnipotence).
God’s omnipresence is in hell, but not His holy presence. When the scripture takes about God’s presence within us, it is not the omnipresence but the holy presence which is the priceless treasure of Christianity. The unbeliever who does not know God is in the omnipresence of God, as in Him we all live and have our being. The believer, however, is the highly favored carrier of the holy presence in which he or she now dwells perpetually.
MEDITATE
To Whom does the Psalmist relate the presence of God in our verse above?
APPLY THE WORD
It is beautiful to know that our God is everywhere with us (omnipresence). However, it is glorious to know that His holy presence, His very being, is now with us wherever we go! Let this become your consciousness.
PRAY
Thank the Lord for the blessing of His presence.
