David Macdonald - July 3, 2022

Where is God? Psalm 139: 7-12 A Simple Question - Where is God? A short and simple question. Asked by many seekers today Asked by cynics today Asked by many broken people today A church? A temple? In nature? In myself? In a leader? nowhere? Everywhere? Psalm 139 – The “Omni” Attributes of God David deals with God’s Omnipresence Vs. 1 – 6 deal with God’s omniscience Not so much a theological response – more applicational Very difficult for us to grasp vs. omniscience/omnipotence Our Father in Heaven (Matt. 6:9) Mat 6:9 NKJV “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. And close at hand (Jeremiah 23:23-24) Jer 23:23-24 NKJV “Am I a God near at hand," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? (24) Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD. And localized - (Pillar of fire/cloud) Perplexing Question – Where? David asks this question: Psalm 139:7 NKJV Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Flee from God? Why – depends on relationship with Him Is His presence a comfort or a concern? Implications of God’s omnipresence: He cannot be contained in a building 1 Cor. 6:19-20 He cannot be restricted to a locality Jer. 23: 23-24 The Profound Answer – There! (vs. 8-12) David describes three things that will not hide us from God: 1. Death – doesn’t hide us from God 2. Distance – doesn’t hide us from God 3. Darkness – doesn’t hide us from God Psalm 139:8-12 Death Doesn’t Hide us from God (vs. 8) 1. God is present in Heaven – death will take us there 2. God is present in hell (Sheol – the grave) 3. Death is a transition for the unbeliever – reality of judgment 4. Heb 9:27 NKJV And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment 5. For the believer – a homegoing completion of our walk with Christ to presence of Christ 6. 2 Cor 5:8 NKJV – We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Rev 20:11-15 NLT Distance Doesn’t Hide us from God (vs. 9-10) 1. Wings of the morning – the sun rising – the east – c2 2. Uttermost parts of the sea – Mediterranean – the west 3. Death is a transition for the unbeliever – reality of judgment 4. Geography of no consequence to God. 5. Those who tried to hide from God without success – 6. Adam & Eve 7. Cain 8. Jonah Darkness Doesn’t Hide us from God (vs. 11-12) 1. Darkness limits our visibility – increases vulnerability – 11% 2. Depths of space cannot hide us from God – 1. Apollo 8 2. Cosmonaut 3. Spiritual darkness can make us feel vulnerable - 1. God feels distant, even though He is not 2. Darkness can't conceal us from Christ; He is with us always 3. Even in dark times – He is there for the child of God 4. Darkness doesn’t hide our deeds from God The Practical Conclusion 1. Because God is omnipresent you are never alone – Isaiah 43:2 Isa 43:2 Because God is omnipresent, you can travel and live courageously – we need not be bound by fear of the present or fear of the future Rom 8:35-39 NKJV 2. Because God is omnipresent – you are accountable 3. God is omnipresent – you have His promises in Scripture for encouragement – 1. "I will certainly be with you" (Exodus 3:12) 2. "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you" (Joshua 1:5) 3. “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10) 4. Deut 33:27 NLT The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He thrusts out the enemy before you; it is he who cries, 'Destroy them!’ 5. John 14:16-17 NKJV “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; (17) "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.