The Ubiquitous God
Outside of Psalm 23, Psalm 139 is probably the best known of all the psalms. We hear the pro-life movement quote verses 13-16, and with good reason. We often use the last two verses as a confession. Songwriters have written songs based on this psalm, and pastors have wrapped entire sermon series around it. Simply put – we’ve seen it and read it plenty of times before.
One of the best bits of advice about reading the Word is one that Scott has given from the stage many times: don’t let familiarity with a passage of scripture rob you of its truth and power. So, in writing this week, I’ve challenged myself to look at Psalm 139 in a different way. We’re going to look at the first twelve verses:
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
There’s a long, SAT-level word that I love that describes this aspect of God’s nature: ubiquitous. God is everywhere at every point in time. I think we tend to lose sight of that part of who He is, and I think that’s because it blows our mind to even try to fathom it. God is such a powerful and amazing being that He operates complete outside our sphere of comprehension.
One of my favorite bands, Over the Rhine, had a song on their first album called “Ubiquitous Hands.” It expressed the idea of being in awe at being in the hands of a God who is so perfect yet loves us even though we “repeat the same mistakes” over and over. This week, I don’t know if I have a practical application other than to be in awe of this ubiquitous God. During a crazy holiday season, bask in that mind-blowing part of God’s nature, and take some time to rest in awe of Him.
Photo by Denis Degioanni on Unsplash