There are nearly eight billion people on this planet. Eight billion ... that’s eight thousand million!
I have eleven grandchildren. When three of them are talking at once, I can’t keep up. Sometimes all eleven get tuned up at the same time... it makes my head spin. But not God. He is present with each of His creatures in all of our comings and goings... He is omnipresent.
God is always everywhere. He is not limited by space. When He is with you, He is also on the opposite side of the globe in Southeast Asia.
David wrote, “Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night’—even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you” (Psalm 139:7–12, CSB)
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tossed into the fiery furnace, Jesus was there. Peering into the furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25, CSB). The omnipresent God (Jesus) was in the furnace.
When Daniel was fed to the lions, the omnipresent God was there to “shut the lions’ mouths” (Daniel 6:22).
When the Israelite nation departed from Egypt, they didn’t go alone. “The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people” (Exodus 13:21–22, CSB).
You may feel alone, but you’re not.
Jesus promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17, CSB).
God commanded Moses, “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, CSB). He said the same to Joshua. “Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, CSB).
Be thankful for a God who is always near!
South Georgia Baptist Church
Amarillo, Texas
Mike Martin, Pastor
mike@southgeorgiabaptistchurch.org