God Is Omnipresent (Pasche)

"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew  28:20.

In the Book of Jeremiah, in the 23d chapter, we read: “Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” God is everywhere, so that no one can hide from Him, and no one need search far for Him.

God the Father is omnipresent, and so is God the Holy Spirit; but also God the Son. He made this promise to His Christians: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Of Him St. Paul says: “ He fills all things.” He fills all things with His presence in heaven and in earth. He said: “All things that the Father hath are Mine.”

The Triune God is inclosed nowhere, excluded from nowhere. He is a God at hand and a God afar off. He is above all and through all and in all. Therefore, wherever we are, when most lonesome and forsaken, God is near us; yea, He is with us always, hears our prayers, knows our cares. He is near us with His help and defense, as David sings in the 145th Psalm: “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.” And in the 23d Psalm he says: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.”

    God’s omnipresence is very consoling to us because through faith in Christ Jesus we are His children. We therefore do not flee from God and hide before our kind and loving God and heavenly Father, but praise and thank Him for His gracious omnipresence. We trust in the promise He gave to His children through the prophet Isaiah: “Fear not; for I have redeemed thee; thou art Mine. I will be with thee.”

Prayer.

To Thee alone, O Lord, Thou omnipresent God, I entrust my body and soul and all I have. Do Thou guide my every footstep and my pilgrimage to my eternal home. Provide also faithfully for those dear to me. Grant them happiness and health. And when at last I shall have arrived at the goal of my pilgrimage, then give me a peaceful and happy death and take me into Thy glory, my heavenly home, where I shall dwell in Thy presence forevermore. Amen.