The Nugget:
Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
My Comment:
Think you can hide from God? Better think again! God is spirit (John 4:24). He is everywhere present at the same time, yet He is separate from the universe He created, not a part of it–which is what is meant by the transcendence of God, the ninth attribute of God on my list of over forty of His attributes or qualities.
In order to understand God, at least as far as He has chosen to reveal Himself to us, we must carefully consider all that the Bible tells us about Him. God has revealed Himself to us two ways: His attributes may be in part understood by the Creation (Romans 1:20), but in far greater depth and specificity by what God has told us in His written word, found only in the Bible. Psalm 19:1 refers to the fact that God’s creation declares God’s glory, and His handiwork. Psalm 19:7 declares that God has savingly revealed Himself in His written word, the Bible. So to really get to know God, you would be greatly helped by getting to know the Bible to learn what God has said about Himself.
One of the most helpful verses I have found in the Bible that explains how to get to know God better, and how to learn to trust Him, is Psalm 9:10.
(1) And they that know thy name
Knowing God’s name means understanding his attributes and his character. That is why I am presenting this extensive list of over forty attributes of God as they are revealed in Scripture.
But the Bible does not discuss the attributes of God together as a list in a single chapter. God’s attributes are spoken of and demonstrated throughout the Bible, but not in an organized way. To learn about them, they must be sought out carefully. No single attribute is discussed fully in any one place. You must compare Scripture with Scripture and find all the places in the Bible that speak of whatever attribute is under consideration. You cannot find the places where a particular attribute is discussed by using a Bible concordance. But you can find the passages in the Bible that pertain to any of the attributes of God by using cross references, which is why I have been sharing with you the most extensive collection of cross references on the attributes of God right here, though little by little! Thank you for your patience in awaiting each additional installment in this series on the attributes of God.
God does have many names in Scripture. Each name reveals some aspect of His character. Some would argue God has just one name, and that the rest of what appear to be His names are actually His titles. But in my study of the Bible I have found more than one “title” referred to in the Bible as a “name” of God, so I think those who believe God has but one name, Jehovah, may not have examined the Biblical evidence thoroughly enough.
(2) Will put their trust in Thee
Just how can you reach a point in your life where you really trust God? The answer is given right here. To trust God, you must know more completely than you do now the qualities or attributes of God’s character. There are many examples in the Bible of individuals who acted as they did because they failed to understand the character of God. The most prominent example I hold in my memory is found in Matthew 25:24, 25 where the man who was given just one “talent” hid it in the earth and failed to use it to produce more wealth. He did not even place it in the bank to earn interest. The reason for his failure and his condemnation is that he had a wrong concept of who God is, and therefore could not serve Him. He did not trust God. Like many today who question God, they do not believe God is fair, and cannot receive what God has plainly declared in the Bible that He will do if we fail to believe in Him. They need to come to grips with what God is like, following the example of Abraham in Genesis 18:25, where Abraham declared, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And the answer is, of course, that He will. God is not unjust. But God sets the standard for justice, not us.
Notice the cause/effect relationship expressed here: Knowing God’s name (the cause) results in trusting God (the effect).
(3) For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them
Have you ever felt that God has forsaken you? Have you felt that He does not care for you? Have you felt that you have sinned so grievously and are so far from God that there is no longer any basis for hope in God? If so, I would urge you to pay close attention right here. God does know each of us by name, and the Bible clearly reveals that He thinks about each one of us individually and specifically (Psalm 40:17). Jesus said plainly that He came to seek and to save those who are lost (Luke 19:10).
(4) That seek thee.
Notice the major promise here: God does not forsake those who seek Him.
Please abandon the Calvinistic nonsense which declares that you cannot seek God. Calvinists love to quote Romans 3:11 which declares in part, “there is none that seeketh after God.” They have forgotten to check the context of this quotation Paul makes from the Psalms. Paul’s reference is to Psalm 14:2. But to understand the proper scope of the assertion that there are none that seek God, we must consult Psalm 14:1, a famous verse which focuses upon those who the Psalmist calls fools. This has no reference to you specifically if you are trying to seek God. Fools in the sense of the Psalmist don’t do that.
That it is possible to seek God is obvious. God states in 1 Chronicles 16:11, “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”
Does God issue a command that it is impossible for anyone to obey? Hardly. You most definitely can seek God. And if you will seek Him in the right place, you most certainly can and will find Him. The place to seek God is in His written Word found only in the Bible. The Bible is brim full of instruction about this. Check out Isaiah 55:6, 7. See Jeremiah 29:13. Above all, don’t miss what Jesus promised in Luke 11:9, 10.
Notice once again the cause/effect relationship expressed here: Those who seek God have God’s promise that He will not forsake them.
I have shown you God’s Word. Now you know what to do.
For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:
(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 642 for Psalm 139:7.
(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 685 or in Logos 5 or 6 Bible software for Psalm 139:7.
(3) Consult the cross references given in the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 404 of the OT or on line at www.blueletterbible.org for Psalm 139:7.
(3) Most people today do not have access to those three print resources, so I have posted cross references for this passage as I have developed them even more completely for your study as given below:
Psalm 139:7. Whither. Ex 20:18. 2 Ch 16:9. *Je 23:23, 24. 43:8. Jon 1:3, 10. Ac 5:9. from thy. Ps 51:11. Ge 1:2. Jb 26:13. Is 11:1, 2. Ac 5:3, 4. spirit. Heb. ruach. A reference to God as being invisible. Jn 4:24. Similar possible references include 2 S 23:2. Is 40:13. But this may be a reference to God the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, +Is 48:16. flee. Jsh 10:16. Ho 7:13. Am 9:2. thy presence. FS22A4, +Ge 19:13. God the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, and possesses the attribute of immensity. Ps 51:11. 1 K 8:27. 2 Ch 6:18. *Is 57:15. *Je 23:23, 24. Mt 2:19. +*Mt 28:19n. Jn 14:16, 17. 1 Cor 3:16. 6:19. Scripture teaches both the immanence of God (He is everywhere present at the same time) and the transcendence of God (He is separate from the universe, not a part of it, and is entirely above it, such that there is an immeasurable, if not infinite, gulf between Him in all his perfections, and creation); thus to suppose man can become “God” or is “God” is, from a Biblical standpoint, absurd (see Ps 8:5n). That men are called “god” or “gods” in Scripture does not suggest man can become or is divine or deity; rather, the Hebrew word “elohim” has multiple meanings, and is sometimes used of false gods and idols (2 Ch 35:22n), of divinely appointed (though very mortal, Ps 82:7) judges and magistrates (+Ps 82:6n), and is used of angels (+Ps 8:5n).