The Attributes of God: God’s Omnipresence

As we discussed last time, the omni-attributes of God refers to terms that describe three fundamental characteristics of God as seen in Scripture.

Let’s recap our understanding of the definition of omni. In its simplest definition, omni means “all.” For example, an omnivore is an animal that eats both animal and plant-based food. Bears are prime examples of omnivores; they eat most meats and vegetables (especially berries).

So, let’s take a look at the topic for this week which is God’s Omnipresence. Omnipresence means that God is “everywhere present” in the entirety of His being. In the whole of the universe, God is omnipresent. There is no place in creation where God cannot be—not above the earth, nor on it, nor below it. Jesus teaches in John 4:24 that “God is Spirit,” that He is not bound by any kind of physical limitations.

The Psalmist David recognizes the omnipresence of God in Psalm 139:7 when he rhetorically asks, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” He answers these questions in v.8-10, stating, “If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, 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.”

As we touched in our previous study, God is also present within all believers. Jesus promised his disciples in John 14:17 that “the Spirit of truth…dwells with you and will be in you.” The believer in Christ becomes a permanent residence of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, He encouraged His disciples, stating, “I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” The Apostle Paul continues this thought in Galatians 2:20 by declaring Christ “lives in me.” And In Ephesians 3:17, Paul prays for believers that “Christ may dwell in your hearts.” John adds in 1 John 4:15 that the believer is also residence of God the Father as “God abides in him…”

God is with us in all of life’s circumstances. He is with us in the peaks and in the valleys of life. He promises us in Hebrews 13:5 that He “will never leave us nor forsake us.”

Is there anywhere that God is not present?

In short—no. We can never escape the presence of the Lord. The prophet Jonah realized this as he tried to escape God’s will and command. There are so many today that will go to extreme measures to flee, but there is no escape. It is often thought that God is not present in hell, the place of eternal suffering. But even in hell, there is no escape from God’s presence. We are told in Revelation 14:10 that those in hell will “drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” God is present in hell in every wat that he is present anywhere else, but the only thing He displays to those in torment is His eternal wrath.

What difference does it make?

Knowing that we have an omnipresent God should affect us in a couple of ways. It should assure us as well as afflict us. Knowing that we have a God that is present in all aspects of our lives assures us that He is working in all areas of our lives, but it afflicts us in knowing that the deepest darkest secrets of our lives are not beyond His reach.

Nevertheless, God’s omnipresence, shows us why His grace and forgiveness are so incredible! The idea that a holy and righteous God whose presence extends to the farthest reaches of the universe yet is personally intimate with His people is incredible. For God sent His very Son, Jesus Christ to be among His people, to live the perfect, sinless life that you and I could not live, to endure the wrath of God’s holiness and justice that you could not bear so that you could be truly and fully forgiven and adopted into the family of God! When the reality of God’s omnipresence grips our hearts, we will be brought to a place of humility where all we can do is give Him praise and glory that He rightly deserves!

How?

REPENT of your sin—turn away from it, BELIEVE in the Good News of Jesus Christ, and COMMIT your life to follow Him. He will with you and in you. And one day will bring you into His presence in Heaven. He is faithful to forgive those who come to Him repentant!

For, He is good all the time. And ALL the time, He is GOOD!

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Billy