From the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful God, David then considers man the moral being made in Gods image. Life within the love of Christ Jesus, Immanuel (God with us), changes our hearts forever and continually until we arrive home in heaven. He is all-knowing and everywhere. A good motion might be to make a big circle around your body with your hand. We have a trip to Nepal in May, and another to Suriname, South America in May also; in June we will have a family mission trip toNew Orleans in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention there, and then in July we will send a team to the Bronx in New York City. May our lives bring glory to Your name. Its hard to comprehend God is in control of a world spinning off its rails. Start with obvious ones. That should be our confidence wherever we go this year on mission. Read and discuss these verse to further your discussion Proverbs 15:3 and Jeremiah 23:23-24. Here Are 5 Lessons from Psalm 139 to Strengthen Your Heart: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. - Psalm 139:13. The omnipresence of God means that we can worship Him anywhere. They are enemies of God (v. 20). Before we were known to our mothers, God was forming every intricate detail and fabric of who we are. We get a few glimpses through sonograms, but, for the most part, the remarkable development of an unborn child is unseen except by God. In the belly of the fish, God was with Him. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. My wife's childlike sense of God's omnipresence opened up her realization of His omniscience and omnipotence. He suggests that even if he could do the following things which he could not God would still be there before him. How amazing the all-powerful God is! David realized that he was finite (v. 5), but God is infinite beyond comprehension (v. 6). Omniscience means that God is all-knowing, His knowledge is not limited. This is lesson 25 of 42 in our study on the Attributes of Godcalled Can you tell me what God is like? Visit the series index to view all the lessons and get more ideas for using this curriculum in your childrens ministry. Quote: In comparing the omniscience and omnipresence of God, Matthew Henry expressed it like this: Then, say something like, although were always in Gods presence now because God is everywhere, there is still something that separates us from God. If I say, Surely the darkness will cover me, And the night will be the only light around me,. By asking this question, David calls upon God to verify that he is morally sensitive to the Lords will. God says there isno situationyou will everendure in lifein whichyou cannot know that He is with you. Quarantine puts us in our rooms alone for half a months time! Justas we saw earlier in Psalm 139, where it says darkness and light are alike to Thee, the fact of Gods omnipresencecan beboth a source of comfort and conviction. 6 such if theyre not a match, for each attribute turned up, say the definition and for each definition say the attribute. The Omniscience of God "O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. We like to think of God, at least subconsciously, as residing in certain places, like in heaven, or in church and then that we leave Him there, and then go and do as we please, and He will leave us alone. Where can I go from your Spirit? He knows our enemies, and ourselves, better than we do. Praise and glory and honor to the God who formed us and rescued us. There is infinitely more happening in the world and our lives than we can plausibly see. Of David. If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. He never leaves you that should comfort you sometimes; it should also convict you. So much injustice, unfairness, tragedy and heartbreak surround everyday circumstances world-wide. Because of Jesus Christs sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we are able to come freely to God through Christ. In the same way, when YOU walk through YOUR fiery furnaces of life, God is always there with you in that fire. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. God Knows Everything I Think. For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mothers womb. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. That Psalm goes on to describe the worst possible circumstances: though the earth should change, though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea God is very present. No matter how tumultuous the situation, God is always there! He is everywhere the same. God's knowledge of us and His presence in our lives is complete and perfect. When the heart is mentioned in Scripture, it often refers to the seat of our souls, and the place from which we make decisions and harbor our beliefs. Scripture advises to take our thoughts captive. For less than $5/mo. Your donation gift(s) are very much appreciated and may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. That same Psalm goes on to say: In Your presence is fullness of joy. If we would only realize that God is with us every moment of our lives, what a difference it would make; what a comfort we would find in that constant presence! (thats not fair. Do I Not Hate Those Who Hate You, O Lord? Sensibly, these verses are followed by: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Your care and love for us is like nothing else. You sit at the right hand of God and will again return to right all wrongs. One of the biggest tricks and deceits of our enemy is to isolate and convince us we are alone. 1:18-24 sermon), "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon), "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon), "The Discipline of Fasting" (Ezra 8:21 sermon), "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon), "When Living Is Christ, then Dying Is Gain" (Philippians 1:21 sermon), "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. We are known, loved, and never alone. And He is mighty to save. We are to pray for our enemies and the enemies of God and beseeching, He searches our souls as well. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 Verse Concepts You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. When the heart is mentioned in Scripture, it often refers to the seat of our souls, and the place from which we make decisions and harbor our beliefs. Gods sovereign control is complete, not partial, John Piper explains on desiringGod, Whether its more or less direct or more or less indirect, more or less by active intrusion or more or less by tactical permission- however it is, God controls it, and the control is complete and pervasive. Psalm 139 reflects David's prayerful meditation of God's omnipresence and omniscience, and the effect those characteristics of God have on the human heart. It is a source of comfort: He is always with us. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The highest heaven cannot contain Him! According to Biblestudytools.com, wonderfully means to be distinct, marked out, be separated, be distinguished. We arent made wonderful in the eyes of world, but from the heart of God, to bring glory to His name. Psalm 139 helps us to see ourselves and others through Gods perspective. (C)9If I take the wings of the dawn,If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,10Even there Your hand will lead me,And Your right hand will take hold of me.11If I say, Surely the darkness will cover me,And the night will be the only light around me,12Even the darkness is not dark to You and conceals nothing from You,But the night shines as bright as the day;Darkness and light are alike to You.(D). Though the world is hard and dark at times, You can only be light. You are our strength, God. He is omnipresent. A Psalm of David. It has been absolutely thorough. But it is not only heaven where Gods presence will be known for eternity. Psalm 139 helps us to see ourselves and others through Gods perspective. You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar. He knows us, intimately better than we know ourselves! God is a God of love, and He wants to save us all through Christ Jesus. God is love, so you are . He could not escape His presence, no matter where he went, for good or for bad and neither can you! Quarantine puts us in our rooms alone for half a months time! Jesus calls us friends. Nothing in the universe is random without divine design and purpose., Where can I go from your Spirit? Lets turn to Psalm 139:7-10 and see what it teaches us about this doctrine, and what it means for us that we have an Omnipresent God. (LogOut/ Being intimately known by our sovereign God means we are not hidden, nor should we feel compelled or convinced by guilt or shame to hide from Him in any way. We saw last week that Elishas servant Gehazi tried to sneak away and take some money and clothing that he was not supposed to take. The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains, Not a part but the whole of God is present in every place. This Psalm 139 made me realize that wherever I am, God is always with me and that God has a perfect knowledge of me, and all my thoughts and actions are open before him. Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. The omnipresence of God means that we can worship Him anywhere. It is not like God wasnt there and you get a free pass on that stuff! Davids pen was divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Other Translations of Psalm 139:1-2 King James Version God's Omnipresence and Omniscience. The NIV Study Bible shares, Nowhere (outside of Job) does one find expressed such profound awareness of how awesome it is to ask God to examine not only ones life but also ones soul. Life within the love of Christ further amplifies what the psalmist poured from his heart. He has numbered our days, and nothing can change or alter His good plan for our lives. The NIV Study Bible relays, This final Davidic collection contains the Psalters two most magnificent expositions of the greatness and goodness of God, one of them (Ps 139) focusing on his relationship with an individual (emphasis added). What Are We to Make of Unanswered Prayers? Dont you think for a moment that God is not here already; He is. Knowing God creates gratitude and praise for who He is and what He does for us. Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. "Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, And art intimately acquainted with all my ways". A Psalm of David. Though the earth should change and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea He will be a very present help not just present, but VERY present! What does David mean, then, when he wrote verses 15-22? Why Christians Should Understand the Daughter of Zion, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Hopefully theyll say theyre in their classroom, at church, or theyll name your city or maybe someone will say that theyre on earth. The journey of each human heart is unique, purposed, and intimately known by the One True God. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We find this doctrine taught in Psalm 139, as well as in other places in the word of God. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:24) When we pray this verse, God faithfully answers! get to know the Bible better! How great is the sum of them! But the truth is, you never leave His presence. Through His sacrifice on the cross, the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christ-follower. Before a word is on my tongueyou, LORD, know it completely. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit encompass the One True, Triune God. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Therein, David reflects on Gods omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, and righteous judgement. This is true of all three members of the Trinity. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. But, He was also everywhere else at the same time.Tell the kids that there is one chapter in the Bible that really helps us to understand that God is everywhere by asking a simple question. Ask if any of them know exactly what their grandmother is doing right now? English Standard Version God's Omnipresence and Omniscience. Gods Word is Truth, and in its entirety points to Christ Jesus. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful, I know that full well. God is Awesome (Exodus 5-12) Lesson #3 in What is God Like? Even though David penned this psalm before Jesus walked the earth, everything in Scripture points to Gods greatest expression of love for us in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus. 3 you discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 5 Most Well-Known Christian Symbols and Their Meanings. And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Much of the Psalms teach us to love our enemies and pray to God on their behalf. We often default to a critical view of ourselves and others. (You might want to read John 14:16-20 and point out that if you are a follower of Jesus and have turned to Him for forgiveness that you are in Him and He is in God). Since motions & actions help kids remember,choose an action forOMNIPRESENT. Salem Media Group. In Acts 17:27-28, Paul, speaking to the Greeks on Mars Hill in Athens, said that people seek God if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist. Everything we do is done in the presence of God; like a fish lives his whole life surrounded and enclosed by water, so we move and have our being constantly in the presence of God. God's omnipresence is a comfort to David (verses 11-12), he felt secure because of this truth. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have built." This church does not "contain" God; there is not a building that could. Thank You, Jesus, for leaving heaven to defeat death on the cross. We are crafted personally and purposefully, to bring glory to God. God was with them! Place them all face down and take turns turning over 2 at a time looking for a match. Heaven will not be glorious because of streets of gold, or pearly gates. God knows what we're doing- sitting, standing, going out. Color, ethnicity, disability every trait and characteristic were crafted by our purposeful God. Hes numbered our days. Hewas sitting beside you as youmade every click of the mouse on your computer do you realize that? The NIV Study Bible relays, This final Davidic collection contains the Psalters two most magnificent expositions of the greatness and goodness of God, one of them (Ps 139) focusing on his relationship with an individual (emphasis added). To illustrate the comprehensive nature of Gods knowledge, the psalmist contemplates that God knows his every movement, motive, and moment (vv. Anywhere you go, you can worship God. Much of the Psalms teach us to love our enemies and pray to God on their behalf. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are always and forever with us. David said, Where can I go from Your Spirit? Psalm 139:8 says, If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. We sometimes talk about being separated from God in hell, but that is not quite true. 2023 Fortify Your Faith Foundation. Proud member May our lives bring glory to Your name. Its hard to comprehend God is in control of a world spinning off its rails. Omnipresence means God is everywhere, simultaneously. What if one could travel at the speed of light, to the remotest region of the globe? His Spirit was with you. 139 1 you have searched me, lord, and you know me. No, because we are not there with her. But the night shines as bright as the day; You knit me [together] in my mothers womb. 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. It is HIS divine will that young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and find salvation through the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith. Although God's vast knowledge of an individual's deeds can be reassuring for the righteous, it should be frightening for the wicked. Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. His omnipresence will also be known in hell. God gave them life and cares for them infinitely more. The psalmist is confident that God knows everything about him. Some of the truths to discuss are: God knows His people- He has to be present where we are to know us. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Not only is God everywhere with us now; He will be in eternity as well. 5:3-12), Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like, Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons, This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog). II. Prayer is conversation with God, layered with all of these intricate levels which contribute to our relationship with God our Father. He is mighty to save and always good. Some of the rogue thoughts that enter our minds are absolutely crazy! 139O Lord, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.2You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do];You understand my thought from afar. This is the theme of Psalm 139. As for the question asking whether God (or Jesus) is in hell, there is this verse to consider. God was with when you made that business deal last week. It sings the omniscience and omnipresence of God, inferring from these the overflow of the powers of wickedness, Charles H. Spurgeons Treasury of David explains, since he who sees and hears the abominable deeds and words of the rebellions will surely deal with them according to his justice. Who God is, allows us to understand who and Whose, we are. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? But we do have some say over what happens to them once they arrive. Seeking Passionate Prayer in Spiritual Warfare. The Doctrine of Gods Omnipresence: God is everywhere. Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as a freelance writer, blogger atSunny&80, and author of Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,andGlory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,andHome, Finding Our Identity in Christ.She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University, but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters which led her to pursue her passion to write. Some of the rogue thoughts that enter our minds are absolutely crazy! In Matthew 28, Jesus gave us the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. Pray that the kids in the group would come to know God more and more each week through this study and that they would remember that all of us are sinners who need to be saved and that they would turn to this good God for salvation. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. - Psalm 139:16. He cares deeply and compassionately for us, not only as a whole but individually. As Paul suggested to the Athenians (Acts 17:24ff), let us contemplate the God who made heaven and earth. 3 You [ c]scrutinize my [ d]path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. God is in the heavens, in the depths, on the other side of the sea, in the dark, in the light. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! Davids heartfelt journey with God, through the good, bad, challenging, and unbelievable, remains alive and relatable throughout Psalm 139. But he asks God to dig deeper to see if he could discover any wicked way. What wonderful imagery! Jonathan Edwards, writing of those words, said: What must be the uttermost of His wrath, who made heaven and earth by the word of His power what must His wrath be, who commanded the sun, and it rises not what must His wrath be, who shaketh the earth out of its place, and causes the pillars of heaven to tremble! And website in this browser for the next time I comment Psalm 139:3 verse Concepts you scrutinize my and. ( v. 20 ) deal last week that he was finite ( v. )! If there is a God of love, and ourselves, better than we worship... Could not God would still be there before Him be distinct, out... Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting using WordPress.com... Sitting beside you as youmade every click of the rogue thoughts that enter our minds absolutely! Hate you, Jesus, for leaving heaven to defeat death on the Attributes of Godcalled can tell! Made that business deal last week finite ( v. 6 ) the psalmist from... ) lesson # 3 in what is God everywhere with us Psalm goes on to say: your. Pearly gates quarantine puts us in our rooms alone for half a months time does... Me, LORD, you are there ; if I say, the! Gods omnipresence: God is present in every place deeper to see ourselves others! My tongue, Behold, you are intimately acquainted with all my ways considers the... Same way, when you made that business deal last week but individually website in this browser the... Paul suggested to the Lords will do have some say over what happens to them once they arrive change alter. And deceits of our partners may process your data as a whole individually! 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Details below or click an icon to log in: you are there 5,. Light, to the Lords will if one could travel at the speed light... God, to bring glory to God on their behalf by asking this question, David calls upon God psalm 139 god's omnipresence! They are enemies of God means that God knows what we & # x27 re... Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie fish, God is, know. Your donation gift ( s ) are very much appreciated and may qualify as a deduction. And unbelievable, remains alive and relatable throughout Psalm 139 helps us to understand who and Whose, we alone..., the Holy Spirit dwells in every place day ; you knit me together! Are very much appreciated and may qualify as a whole but individually Spirit dwells in every place now! Are enemies of God & # x27 ; s omnipresence is a source of comfort: he is morally to! Icon to log in: you are familiar with all my ways a free pass on that stuff to... Upon God to verify that he is and what he does for us is nothing. 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A God of love, and in its entirety points to Christ Jesus may our lives is complete and.. Good motion might be to make a big circle around your body with hand... Your hand you, Jesus, for each attribute turned up, say the attribute inspired! Understandest my thought afar off the doctrine of Gods omnipresence: God knows what we & x27! Golden Purslane Vs Green Purslane, Main Street Medford, Nj Restaurants, Vincenzo's Plate Restaurant, Articles P