The proof of this characteristic of God is found throughout the Bible, but it seems that not many pastors preach specifically about it, and too few Christians actually think much about it. Maybe it is because our limited, finite human minds struggle to grasp the vastness and greatness of God. I too struggle and surely do not have everything figured out. I just have to trust that His word is true, and what it says about Him is accurate, even when I can’t fully comprehend it. I will try, in my limited knowledge, to explain a bit about God’s Omnipresence.
Omnipresent means present everywhere at the same time.
God created everything. That means he created the heavens, the earth, space, time, mater, science, laws of nature, gravity, physics, and everything else…. If He created these things, that means He is not subject or beholden to them. In other words, He operates independent of them.
The Bible teaches that God is everywhere at all times. That means there is no place you can go that He is not there, and there is no time you can be in where He is not there.
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in the darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. (Psalm 139:1-12 NLT)
In that Psalm, David said that God could not be eluded through space, speed or darkness. So nothing in the universe can separate us from God.
If God is everywhere simultaneously, then nothing escapes His attention. Throughout the Bible, everything created continues to exist under the control of a sovereign God.
This does not mean that a little part of God is dispersed throughout the infinite reaches of space. Instead, God in His whole being is present at every point of our space. God is spirit, and has no physical form. Therefore He can be present everywhere, at all times.
God is present everywhere within the Universe, but let’s not mistakenly think that God is the universe. Pantheism equates God and the universe. God created the universe, so he is not the universe.
All throughout Scripture, God displays his knowledge of the future. His prophesies always come true in exact detail. This is yet more proof that God is not in time. To Him the past, present and future are all present. He sees it all and knows it all. He is an eternal God, who is not limited to time or space.
The fact that God is everywhere at all times, should be a great comfort to believers. God will be protecting us wherever we go, and at all times. There is no place we can go where He cannot reach us. God promises the believer that He will always be with them.
Talk with your children this week about God’s Omnipresence. Make sure they understand that God is always with them no matter where they are. Read together and discuss some of the below verses.
“Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord. “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:23-24 NLT)
“Even if they dig down to the place of the dead, I will reach down and pull them up. Even if they climb up into the heavens, I will bring them down. Even if they hide at the very top of Mount Carmel, I will search them out and capture them. Even if they hide at the bottom of the ocean, I will send the sea serpent after them to bite them.” (Amos 9:2-3 NLT)
The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3 NLT)
He existed before everything else, and he holds all creation together. (Colossians 1:17 NLT)
“But when you pray, go away by yourself , shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6 NLT)
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT)
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:3-5 NLT)
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8 NLT)
For God watch how people live; he sees everything they do. (Job 34:21 NLT)
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels now demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)
Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. (Hebrews 4:13 NLT)
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. (Ephesians 4:5-6 NLT)
“And Soloman, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT)
