Lessons From the Secret Place - Lesson 3: God is Ever Present

As I was sitting in the backyard spending time with the Lord this morning he began to speak to me about his presence.  I have been making it a habit to journal my conversations with the Lord and as I sat outside, He began to speak.  

He pointed out the sound of the wind, the beautiful song of the birds.  He told me that creation declares Him all the time, however, often his people fail to recognize the message they bring.  The birds sing over us songs of love from our Father.  They sing over us hope, peace, joy, and deliverance.  

How often do we go through an entire day and barley acknowledge the God of the universe?  How often do we hear the birds or feel the gentle breeze and yet fail to recognize God in them?  How often do we stop to think about God’s presence, his grace, or his watch care?  

As I listened, I felt the Lord saying that he longs for his Bride to recognize him in all things.  He is in the wind.  He is in the rain. He is in every sunrise and sunset. He is in the bird’s song.  He is in the gentle flow of a river as well as in the mighty crashing ocean waves.  He is in a baby’s cry, and in a child’s laughter. 

There is never a moment or a place where those who seek him will not find him! He is always with us.  His banner over us is love!!!  He will meet us in our secret place, he will walk with us through the store.  He will sit beside us when we weep and dance with us when we rejoice.  He will comfort the broken hearted and give joy to replace mourning.  

Romans 1:19-20, For what may be known about God is clear to them since God has shown it to them. The invisible things about Him—His eternal power and deity—have been clearly seen since the creation of the world and are understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse. (MEV)

The creation bears clear witness to its Maker, and the evidence is "plain" to people. Here Paul enters upon a discussion of what is usually designated natural revelation in distinction from the special revelation that comes through the Scriptures. Four characteristics are noted. (1) It is a clear testimony set before human eyes. (2) The word "understood" suggests that the revelation does not stop with perception, but is expected to include reflection, the drawing of a conclusion about the Creator. (3) It is a constant testimony, maintained "since the creation of the world" (cf. Ac 14:17). (4) It is a limited testimony in that it reflects God in certain aspects only—namely, "his eternal power and divine nature." One has to look elsewhere for the disclosure of his love and grace—i.e., to Scripture and especially to God's revelation in his Son (Jn 1:14). Natural revelation is sufficient to make human beings responsible (they are left "without excuse"), but is not by itself sufficient to accomplish their salvation. 

Psalm 139:7-12, Where shall I go from Your spirit, or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell at the end of the sea, even there Your hand shall guide me, and Your right hand shall take hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light shall be as night about me,” even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines as the day, for the darkness is like light to You. (MEV)

Jeremiah 23:24, Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I do not see him? says the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the LORD. (MEV)

Not only is God omniscient; He is omnipresent as well. He is in all places at one and the same time.  

The "presence" (parallel with "Spirit") of God is everywhere; hence he perceives all things in all places. We cannot hide from the all-seeing eye of the Lord. Unlike pagan deities, the Lord's authority extends to "the heavens . . . the depths . . . the wings of the dawn . . . the sea." The Lord's hand protects his children wherever they are, even in "darkness." There is only light with God, and his light brightens up the darkness so that the psalmist can say affirmatively, "The night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you" (v.12). 

Isaiah 61:1-3, The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to preserve those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. (MEV)

We know that the Lord Jesus is the speaker here because He quoted verses 1–2a in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16–21) and added, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (v. 21).  

God is ever-present with us! 

Lord, I ask you to open the eyes of our heart that we might behold you all around us in everyplace, every situation, in every season. May we see your beauty and hear our voice in all of creation.  Thank you that there is no place where we will not find you if we seek you!!! Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a desire to seek after you throughout our day!  

Works Cited:

i Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament Copyright 2004.

ii Believer's Bible Commentary Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald.

iii  Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament Copyright 2004.

iv Believer's Bible Commentary Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald.









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