Immanent

​Her Asian face stares at me with a confident look that belies the caption blazoned across her neck.  It reads, “I’m everywhere.”  Microsoft advertises its Windows 2000 Professional preinstalled on the “highly reliable, wireless-enabled Dell Latitude® C6000 notebook and you can get total mobility.”  That’s what we want isn’t it—the ability to go anywhere and take what we need with us? 

​Meditation
Psalm 139:8-10--If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me.
Proverbs 15:3--The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.
 
I’m not everywhere.  I can only be where I am.  And yet wherever I am He is.  And wherever you are He is.  I make no moves that His eyes do not see, no thoughts or actions escape His notice. If the clouds are gray and my heart is unsettled I need only look up and call His name and know that He hears.  If my spirit soars like some unleashed falcon He climbs with me to the glory of His name.  

I’m not everywhere. Despite awesome technology and a world that grows smaller with every microchip we occupy infinitesimal space. I will not place my laptop on some carefully arranged embroidered cloth and burn incense to it!  It may allow me the privilege of taking information wherever I go but what is that compared to the One who gives me breath and saves my soul? Wherever I go, He is there.  He’s everywhere. “ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”(1 Corinthians 3:16).  

How can He reside in so many temples?  How can He decipher the thoughts of millions of His children simultaneously?  What a magnificent Father we have!  God You are near!  In Your nearness may our love please You.  In our nearness may Your Spirit lift our hearts to worship You.  May those who feel alone find You and know the comfort that comes from hands that hold the world.
 
Inspiration
An atheist and a Christian were engaged in an intense public debate.  On the blackboard behind the podium the atheist printed in large capital letters, “GOD IS NOWHERE.”  When the Christian rose to offer his rebuttal, he rubbed out the W at the beginning of where and added that letter to the preceding word no.  Then the statement read, “GOD IS NOW HERE.”—Vernon Grounds inRadical Commitment
Looking back, [my wife] Jan and I have learned that the wilderness is part of the landscape of faith, and every bit as essential as the mountaintop.  On the mountaintop we are overwhelmed by God's presence.  In the wilderness we are overwhelmed by his absence. Both places should bring us to our knees; the one, in utter awe; the other, in utter dependence.—Dave Dravecky in When You Can't Come Back
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©2001 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)