Finding Comfort in God's Nearness

The doctrine of God's omnipresence, His attribute of being everywhere present at all times, is a profound theological truth that offers comfort and presents a significant challenge to believers. This post will explore the Biblical teaching on God's nearness, and how he knows us better than we ourselves, focuses on Psalm 139:1-10 and Jeremiah 23:23-24, while drawing on other relevant passages to develop a robust Bibical understanding of divine omnipresence. We will consider the implications of this doctrine for Christian life and practice, addressing common misconceptions and offering pastoral applications.

Exegesis of Key Passages

Psalm 139:1-10 (ESV)

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; 

you discern my thoughts from afar. 

You search out my path and my lying down 

and are acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before a word is on my tongue, 

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 

You hem me in, behind and before, 

and lay your hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 

it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? 

Or where shall I flee from your presence? 

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."

This psalm, attributed to David, is a profound meditation on God's omniscience and omnipresence. The Psalmist begins by acknowledging God's intimate knowledge of his life (vv. 1-4), expressing awe at the comprehensive nature of divine understanding. This knowledge is not distant or detached but deeply personal, encompassing even the Psalmist's unspoken thoughts.

In verses 5-6, David reflects on the encompassing nature of God's presence, using spatial metaphors to convey the sense of being "hemmed in" by the divine. This image is not one of confinement but of protection and care, as evidenced by the reference to God's hand being laid upon him.

The rhetorical questions in verses 7-10 serve to emphasize the inescapable nature of God's presence. The Psalmist contemplates various extremes - the heights of heaven, the depths of Sheol (the realm of the dead), and the farthest reaches of the earth - only to conclude that God is present in all these places. The imagery of "the wings of the morning" (v. 9) poetically alludes to the swiftness of light, suggesting that even at the speed of light, one cannot outpace God's presence.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (ESV)

"Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord."

This passage from Jeremiah occurs in the context of God's judgment against false prophets. Here, the Lord rhetorically asserts His omnipresence as a challenge to those who might think they can escape His notice or judgment. The questions posed serve to emphasize two key aspects of God's nature:

1. His nearness ("a God at hand") and simultaneous transcendence ("not a God far away").

2. His all-encompassing presence that fills both heaven and earth.

The imagery of hiding in "secret places" recalls similar themes from Psalm 139, underscoring the futility of attempting to conceal oneself from God's gaze.

Theological Implications

The Nature of Divine Omnipresence

The passages examined above and other Biblical texts present a nuanced understanding of God's omnipresence. It is not merely that God is present everywhere in a diffuse or impersonal sense, but that He is fully present at every point in creation while simultaneously transcending it. This paradoxical truth is captured in the theological concept of God's immanence (His nearness and involvement in creation) and His transcendence (His otherness and distinction from creation).

Augustine of Hippo, in his "Confessions," eloquently expresses this tension: "You were within, but I was without, and sought you there... You were with me, but I was not with you" (Book X, 27). Augustine's observation highlights the deeply personal nature of God's omnipresence. He is not just everywhere but everywhere in relation to us, understanding our struggles and joys.

Omnipresence and Other Divine Attributes

God's omnipresence is inextricably linked to His other attributes, particularly His omniscience and omnipotence. As Psalm 139 illustrates, God's presence everywhere enables His perfect knowledge of all things. Similarly, His ability to act anywhere in creation (omnipotence) is predicated on His presence everywhere.

The Reformed theologian Louis Berkhof notes, "The omnipresence of God is clearly related to His omnipotence, immensity, and infinity, but should nevertheless be distinguished from these. It is a mode of the divine existence, by which God in His whole Being is present everywhere in creation" (Systematic Theology, p. 60).

Common Misconceptions

Pantheism and Panentheism

The doctrine of omnipresence must be carefully distinguished from pantheism (the belief that God is everything) and panentheism (the belief that God is in everything). Biblical omnipresence affirms God's presence throughout creation while maintaining His distinct identity and transcendence. As theologian Wayne Grudem states, "God is present everywhere, but He is not everything" (Systematic Theology, p. 175). For instance, while God is present in all things, He is not limited to or defined by them. Similarly, while God is intimately involved in His creation, He is not dependent on it for His existence.

Deism

At the other extreme, deism posits a God who, having created the universe, remains distant and uninvolved. The biblical witness, particularly as seen in Jeremiah 23:23-24, refutes this notion by affirming God's active presence in and sovereignty over His creation.

Pastoral and Practical Implications

Comfort in God's Presence

The omnipresence of God offers profound comfort to believers. As the Psalmist declares in Psalm 23:4 (ESV), "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Even in the darkest circumstances, the assurance of God's presence provides strength and solace.

This truth is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus promises His disciples, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20, ESV). The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers (1 Corinthians 6:19) is a further testament to God's intimate nearness.

The Call to Holiness

The reality of God's omnipresence also serves as a powerful motivation for holy living. As the prophet Jeremiah reminds us, there is no place where we can hide from God's sight. This awareness should inspire reverence and obedience, knowing that all our actions and thoughts are before Him.

The Apostle Paul, drawing on the language of God's temple presence, exhorts believers to holiness: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV). The indwelling presence of God should transform our understanding of ourselves and our behavior.

Prayer and Worship

Understanding God's omnipresence enriches our prayer and worship practice. We need not journey to a specific location or adopt a particular posture to commune with God. As Jesus taught the Samaritan woman, true worship is not bound by geography but is "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24, ESV).

At the same time, the practice of setting aside specific times and places for prayer can serve as a helpful reminder of God's constant presence, training us to be more aware of Him in every moment and location.

Evangelism and Missions

The doctrine of omnipresence has significant implications for evangelism and missions. While we are called to go into all the world to make disciples (Matthew 28:19), we do so with the assurance that God is already present in every culture and context. As Paul declared to the Athenians, God is not far from each one of us, "for 'In him we live and move and have our being'" (Acts 17:27-28, ESV).

This understanding should shape our approach to cross-cultural ministry. We should recognize that God has been at work in every culture and that our task is to make His presence known rather than to "bring God" to a godless place.

Addressing Feelings of God's Absence

Despite the Biblical affirmation of God's omnipresence, believers may sometimes experience feelings of divine absence or distance. The Psalmist cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?" (Psalm 22:1, ESV). How do we reconcile these experiences with the doctrine of omnipresence?

First, it is crucial to distinguish between objective reality and subjective experience. God's presence is a constant reality, regardless of our perception or feeling. As the quote provided in the prompt states, "There may be times when I feel like God is far away, but that's because I have turned my back to Him instead of turning my face toward Him."

The prophets often addressed Israel's sense of God's absence, attributing it to sin and spiritual dullness rather than any actual withdrawal of God's presence. Isaiah 59:2 (ESV) declares, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."

As suggested in the provided quote, the remedy is to "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6, ESV). This seeking involves repentance, a renewed commitment to spiritual disciplines, and active engagement with God's word and people.

Conclusion

The doctrine of God's omnipresence, as revealed in Psalm 139, Jeremiah 23, and throughout Scripture, offers a profound and transformative understanding of our relationship with the divine. It assures us of God's intimate knowledge and care, challenges us to live in light of His constant presence, and provides comfort in every circumstance of life.

As believers, we are called to cultivate an awareness of God's presence in every moment and location. This awareness should shape our worship, inform our ethics, empower our witness, and deepen our communion with the One who is always near. In the words of the Apostle Paul, we can be confident that nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39, ESV), for He is ever-present, holding us in His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, the truth of God's omnipresence anchors us in the unchanging reality of His love and sovereignty. May we, like David, marvel at the wonder of this truth and find in it the strength and comfort to live faithfully before the face of our ever-present God.