Where is God?
Psalm 139: 7-12
A Simple Question - Where is God?
A short and simple question.
Asked by many seekers today
Asked by cynics today
Asked by many broken people today
A church? A temple? In nature? In myself? In a leader? nowhere? Everywhere?
Psalm 139 – The “Omni” Attributes of God
David deals with God’s Omnipresence
Vs. 1 – 6 deal with God’s omniscience
Not so much a theological response – more applicational
Very difficult for us to grasp vs. omniscience/omnipotence
Our Father in Heaven (Matt. 6:9)
Mat 6:9 NKJV “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
And close at hand (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
Jer 23:23-24 NKJV “Am I a God near at hand," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? (24) 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.
And localized - (Pillar of fire/cloud)
Perplexing Question – Where?
David asks this question:
Psalm 139:7 NKJV Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
Flee from God? Why – depends on relationship with Him
Is His presence a comfort or a concern?
Implications of God’s omnipresence:
He cannot be contained in a building 1 Cor. 6:19-20
He cannot be restricted to a locality Jer. 23: 23-24
The Profound Answer – There! (vs. 8-12)
David describes three things that will not hide us from God:
1. Death – doesn’t hide us from God
2. Distance – doesn’t hide us from God
3. Darkness – doesn’t hide us from God
Psalm 139:8-12
Death Doesn’t Hide us from God (vs. 8)
1. God is present in Heaven – death will take us there
2. God is present in hell (Sheol – the grave)
3. Death is a transition for the unbeliever – reality of judgment
4. Heb 9:27 NKJV And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment
5. For the believer – a homegoing completion of our walk with Christ to presence of Christ
6. 2 Cor 5:8 NKJV – We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Rev 20:11-15 NLT
Distance Doesn’t Hide us from God (vs. 9-10)
1. Wings of the morning – the sun rising – the east – c2
2. Uttermost parts of the sea – Mediterranean – the west
3. Death is a transition for the unbeliever – reality of judgment
4. Geography of no consequence to God.
5. Those who tried to hide from God without success –
6. Adam & Eve
7. Cain
8. Jonah
Darkness Doesn’t Hide us from God (vs. 11-12)
1. Darkness limits our visibility – increases vulnerability – 11%
2. Depths of space cannot hide us from God –
1. Apollo 8
2. Cosmonaut
3. Spiritual darkness can make us feel vulnerable -
1. God feels distant, even though He is not
2. Darkness can't conceal us from Christ; He is with us always
3. Even in dark times – He is there for the child of God
4. Darkness doesn’t hide our deeds from God
The Practical Conclusion
1. Because God is omnipresent you are never alone – Isaiah 43:2
Isa 43:2
Because God is omnipresent, you can travel and live courageously – we need not be bound by fear of the present or fear of the future
Rom 8:35-39 NKJV
2. Because God is omnipresent – you are accountable
3. God is omnipresent – you have His promises in Scripture for encouragement –
1. "I will certainly be with you" (Exodus 3:12)
2. "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you" (Joshua 1:5)
3. “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10)
4. Deut 33:27 NLT The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He thrusts out the enemy before you; it is he who cries, 'Destroy them!’
5. John 14:16-17 NKJV “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; (17) "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
