The Ever-Present God
What does it mean to you that God is ever-present?
While studying God’s attributes, theologians have classified three “omni” characteristics that God is: Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omniscient (all-knowing), and Omnipresent (ever-present). God is present everywhere because, as we have seen, His power and knowledge are everywhere. If every event takes place by God’s power, and if He has knowledge of everything, then certainly He is not absent but present in every event. God’s omnipotence and omniscience imply His omnipresence.
Let us look at David’s words in Psalm 139, which state that God is ever-present (Psalm 139:7-12). He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and is present everywhere. He has been present since the world’s creation; there will never be a time from which He will be absent.
We see in the Scriptures how He freely enters the course of history and interacts with His created people. The result of God’s Omnipresence is that He will guide and take hold of us (Psalm 139:10). “Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will take hold of me.” We can be greatly encouraged by God’s presence enabling His continual guidance and comforting care for us.
In the Bible, many of God’s leaders are called to challenging roles. When facing their daunting callings, people were naturally overcome with fear, such as fear of failure, fear of the unknown, and fear of the mammoth task ahead. God would often say to biblical leaders, “Fear not.” He would then promise these leaders of His presence with them by saying, “I will be with you.” We see this promise demonstrated in the lives of Isaac (Genesis 26:3), Moses (Exodus 3:12), Joshua (Joshua 1:9), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:8), and the apostles (Matthew 28:20) to name a few.
I remember years ago, while teaching in Nigeria during the Christmas season, I asked my students, “What does ‘Immanuel’ mean to you?” It came as no surprise that each student shared that Jesus’ name Immanuel means “God is with us.” They were assured of His ever-presence (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).
As the Old Testament tabernacle was a place for God to dwell with His people, so Jesus, the Son of God, has “dwelt among us” (John 1:14). God has entered human history in Jesus Christ, where He lived a perfect life, died, and rose again to save us from our sins. He has provided us with His presence through the Holy Spirit. We can joyfully sing, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
God is present throughout heaven and earth to carry out His own plan and purposes. Will you join Him in working out His plan for your life? Be assured that He will be ever-present with you.
“Dear Lord, we praise You for Your ever-present attribute. Truly, there is no one like You. Thank you for promising us Your guidance and comfort because of Your Omnipresence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”