Omnipresent

Cling to hope in the Good News that God gives us.  One attribute of God that I find most encouraging is that God is omnipresent.  He’s always there.  Doesn’t always feel like it, but He is.

Scripture says, “Psalm 139:1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.  5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

When we’re hard-pressed, God is there sheltering us with His presence, and He will wipe away every tear.  I’m reminded of a scene in the Israelite exodus from slavery in Egypt.  It’s recounted in Exodus 14.  When doubt and panic ensued on the part of the Israelites, Moses tried to be enough assurance, summoning his own faith. 

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on.’ (Exodus 14:13-15). 

Do you read Moses’ crying out to God? But God saw it. He knew it because He is both Omniscient and Omnipresent. Moses was reaching out with all he had. God increased his faith. God would now give the Israelites a profound lesson in the Omnipresence of God which Moses could not rouse the Israelites to believe in his human capacity. 

God was about to glorify Himself in the battle. Twice stated. Rock solid.

God told Moses, “16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

I love this next section.  God’s got their back.
But it may only have looked that way initially through the eyes of faith.

“19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army,
withdrew and went behind them.
The pillar of cloud also moved from in front
and stood behind them,”

To some it must have looked like God was deserting them.  He left the leadership and withdrew.  But then, the Omnipresence of God planted Himself visibly behind (for protection), spiritually in front (driving the waters apart), around (as light in the darkness), and in wisdom over them (looking down upon their enemies) to thwart disaster coming to God’s chosen people. Omnipresent!

20 Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; (Exodus 14:20)

Are you afraid that God has deserted you
or has deserted America on account of our societal sins? 
Do you wonder where God has gone?  Are you confident in His Omnipresence? 
He knows exactly where you are, where our nation is,
and the process necessary for Him to receive glory in deliverance!! 
Pray.  Believe!  He’s got this!
Be part of the great harvest of human souls by sharing the Gospel that saves eternally. 

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our living hope, for being our shelter, and for leading us to living water.  Thank You for Your omnipresence that knows and guards us when we go to sleep, and Your hand is upon us when we rise.  You know our every thought, every word that we have yet to speak, yet You hold us firmly in Your hand.  Lord, instill in us a profound faith in You that trusts You in the darkest of circumstances. You are there. That trusts You when times are good because You are there too. May we experience gratitude for all You do as our Omnipresent and Omniscient God.  Because You are with us, Lord, may we give thanks when things are uncertain because it builds our faith and helps us to see with spiritual eyes the events at this juncture of history.  Thank You, Father, that Jesus went before us at the Cross.  And His Cross stands behind us and is our very foundation as protection from death’s grip.  Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy that is around us and before us and behind us and over us.  Thank You that no one can snatch us out of Your hands, and we ask Lord that in the days to come, You will receive glory through what You alone can do.  We ask Lord for courage and boldness, to come to Your throne to ask for a miracle for our nation and for this world.  We are so desperately in need of Your intervention.  We know that You see.  We know that You know both our good deeds and our sins.  We confess our good deeds are not enough and our sins are way too numerous and horrific to hide. We know that You are righteous and holy.  We know that You will not fail to act on behalf of those who love You and have been called according to Your purpose.  We don’t know what that will look like or when You will cause it to happen, Lord, but we trust You.  We believe.  We press on in faith and give glory to You alone.  Amen.