Have you ever felt like you just can’t be everywhere at once?! Let’s see, I probably first felt that way when I was blessed with my third child. Two hands, three different requests, at the same time. Impossible! So, what do you do? This is probably when I began asking myself the question, “What really has to be done right now”.
I thought of this, this morning. My husband and I were talking about what needed to happen today. We are planning for our neighborhood Christmas party this evening and are hopeful that the light of Jesus shines through as familiar and unfamiliar faces walk in our home. But, we do need to be prepared! That means putting the hot cider on, making (or buying) cookies, having a festive looking punch available (not red or purple please) and the house welcoming and unhurried so that guests can relax and conversations can develop into what we pray will be opportunities. So, we take a deep breath, plan our day, and know for certain that what has to happen will, what doesn’t happen won’t matter. I’d love to have about eight arms right now and be able to be in several places at once – dropping off a ‘gifts of love’ at church, picking up batteries for lights, and at the grocery store. But, enough about me and my plans. What about God?
He is able to be everywhere at all times. Truly amazing! Part of His character is His omnipresence. Something I can’t understand but I accept as truth because it’s in His word. God is omnipresent. Present everywhere at once. I did a search for this word in the Bible and came back with a ‘sorry, your search had no results’ answer. However, the reality of God being omnipresent is definitely in the Word.
Psalm 139 begins with the intimate knowledge God has of everyone. Then, in verse 7, we read a description of His attribute of being omnipresent.
Ps 139:1-10 (For the choir director. A Psalm of David.) O LORD, Thou hast searched me and known [me.] 2 Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. 3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, Thou dost know it all. 5 Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. 6 [Such] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is [too] high, I cannot attain to it. 7 Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Thy hand will lead me, And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.
Jer 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD.
Isa 66:1 Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?
Even though I cannot be in several places at one time, and attend to every need that is present, God can! He sees all things and is everywhere. Lord, keep me focused on what is important as I try to organize my day with my limitations. Give me total trust in Your faithfulness to allow me to complete what is truly necessary and important to fulfill Your glorious plan! Remind me of the comfort and truth that You are always present everywhere. Amen.
