God’s Omnipresence
Last week, we talked about the omniscience of God. This week, let us continue to
look at some of the distinguishing characteristics of the one and only true God
that we read about in the Bible (Jer. 10:10). This week, we will be talking
about the omnipresence of God. Omnipresence literally means that God is
presently everywhere all the time (omni = all + present). In other words, there
is no place God is not present. God is everywhere all at once. How is this so?
God is infinite (limitless, immeasurable), meaning He is not bound by time as it
relates to His omniscience (all knowledge of past, present, future events) since
time is essentially just a product He has created. In like manner, God is not
bound by space as it relates to His omnipresence since it, too, is just a
product He has created. Therefore, God is not limited or confined to a certain
area at any one time. God is spirit (Jn. 4:24). Therefore, His presence is all
encompassing. Jonah did not understand this quality of God and tried to flee
from the presence of God (Jonah 1:3ff). Some in the past have tried to
illustrate God’s omnipresence; some good representations, some bad. For example,
“God is not present in the whole universe the way air fills the room, since some
molecules are in one place in the room while others are in another. All of God
is everywhere. A better illustration is that God is “in” or present to the whole
universe the way a mind is in its brain, or the manner in which beauty is
present in a work of art, or that thought is in a sentence. In each case, the
one is present to and penetrates the whole without a part of it being in a part
of the other” (Geisler, 170). Since God’s presence is everywhere all at once,
everyone on the earth that worships God can do it in the presence of God because
of His omnipresence. In addition, there is no place on the earth where God’s
presence is greater as far as locale is concerned. This is a point Jesus made in
John 4:20-24, and the same is referenced in Acts 7:48-50. I now want us to
consider a few passages to the support the omnipresence of God. The psalmist
expresses how nothing can be done secretly before God. Psalm 139:7-10 says,
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I
ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are
there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of
the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”
Solomon expresses the same truth about God in Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the
LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Jeremiah, the
great prophet, also emphasizes the omnipresence of God in Jeremiah 23:23-24, “Am
I a God near at hand," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide
himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill
heaven and earth?" says the LORD.” In this verse, the expression “God is near at
hand” reminds us of the God’s presence being with us and there for us to aid us
in our times of trials. However, in this verse, the expression “not a God far
off” reminds us that we cannot escape God’s presence when it comes to doing
things we ought not. Let us remember as we go through life that God is always
there. God is there when we go through those difficult times, for He is near,
but He is also there when we disappoint Him, for He is not far off. As we live
in the presence of God, let us always strive to do those things that will bring
glory and honor to Him as our savior and as our God.
Bibliography
Cottrell, Jack. The Faith Once For All. Joplin, Missouri: College Press
Publishing Company, 2002.
Geisler, Norman. Systematic Thelogy. Vol. Two. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany
House, 2003.