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Psalm 139:7-10
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Children often ask, how big is God anyway? Even as adults we wonder, don’t we! We think of everything in relation to size or boundaries. Let’s consider how God’s omnipresence relates us as helpful. I like Wayne Grudem’s outline of this doctrine.
- GOD IS PRESENT EVERYWHERE! Read Ps. 137:7 H. C. Leupold writes, “never has the pen of man more effectively described the omnipresence of God.” Notice in verse five of this Psalm David declares God’s intimate knowledge of him for David’s benefit, not his destruction. When you read verse seven, does it strike fear or comfort into your heart? Your answer may give you insight into your true spiritual attitude toward God. The OT prophet records that God declares “do I not fill heaven and earth?” (Jer. 23:23, 24). If you are walking contrary to God’s Word, this idea probably doesn’t excite you much, because you have probably figured out there is nowhere you can hide from God. On the other hand if God’s Word is your delight, then you findthis a blessing. It is one thing to believe in God’s omnipresence, but quite another to actually live it in your daily life. Read Romans 8:28-39. The inner feeling that nothing can separate us from God’s love either looms large or it brings unspeakable comfort.
- GOD CAN BE PRESENT FOR MANY PURPOSES. God can be present to punish when necessary. Read Amos 9:1-4. The first 39 chapters of Isa tell us how God will be present to punish the sin of Israel and all world powers. (All includes America) The most horrifying reality of God’s presence to punish sin was Calvary! But God is also present to sustain. Read Neh. 9:20, 21. In Ps. 55:22 David tells us to cast our cares on the Lord and He will sustain us. Also read Col. 1:17 and Heb. 1:3. There is another reason God wants His presence to be known and even felt by all. Can you think what it might be? Read Psalm 16 and David tells us God wants His presence known because He wants to bless us. Notice here David declares God his refuge (v. 1-3). Apart from God there is not even 1 good thing. Because of God’s goodness, David also refuses other gods (v. 4). It takes courage to stand against the crowd and refuse the gods of this world. Often they are attractive and popular, but David wasn’t afraid to stand apart for his God. How is it with you? Are you that courageous? You and God know, don’t you! Notice in verses 5-8 God is David’s reward. Don’t miss verse eight: because David establishes God as the beginning and ending point in his life (for the most part), God rewards David with security. It is interesting and important to notice that when God says “will not” He is telling us from His perspective “will not” means “cannot.” It is the same idea as in Ps. 23 when David says because the Lord is his Shepherd, he shall (cannot) want. Finally, because of David’s allegiance to God, he is able to rejoice in God (v. 9-11). Once we see God’s presence as blessing, we discover it also becomes a sustaining presence that it is, as David said, refuge, security, and pleasant. Does God fill your personal space?
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
