Introduction

·         Passage packed with insights from the mind of David

·         Intimacy-God and man

·         The knowledge of God, the creative power of God, but I want us to consider another truth here . . .

·         The presence of God.

·         From this Psalm, comes this statement:

Wherever here is, he is.

Places we expect him to be.

·         Like in this sanctuary. This is God's hang-out. I mean this is church! Seriously, I have to say that often I sense the presence of God here more so than in the office. Something special about a sanctuary.

Places we don't expect him to be.

·         Dark places. Evil places. Ghettos with gun-toting gangs. Homes with abusive parents. Companies with corrupt CEOs. Wall Street. Bourbon Street.  DeSiard Street. Let's face it. There are places in the world--and, of course, here in Monroe where the evil is so pervasive--so prominent one can almost see it stalking along the street. It's not so difficult then to appreciate what Peter said in 1 Pe 5:8 (NIV): Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

·         Wherever here is, he is.

·         The big theological word is omnipresence. God is everywhere. I can't quite wrap my brain around such a concept, and I'm sure you can't either. I don't mean to disparage you, to question your intellectual prowess. However, fact is we're human, and compared to the greatness of God, our brains are quite puny. When we consider concepts such as the omnipresence of God (God everywhere), we find that we can grasp them only through faith.

Wherever we are, he is

o    Now, the inverse of that statement is clearly untrue: wherever he is, we are. Why? Because we are not omnipresent like God. But, let's get back to the statement, wherever we are, he is.

o    Therein lies a great comfort and a great challenge.

Comfort

o     No matter where we are, God is there with us. Amazing. When life is good.  When we're at the top of our game.  When we feel totally invincible. And when life absolutely stinks. When we find ourselves in situations that seems totally hopeless. In those dark places, it's great to know that he is with us.

Challenge

·          To truly be wherever we are. WHAT? To truly be wherever we are.

·         I'm speaking of a phenomenon--being present but not really. We can usually identify the person who's is in this state. High school students during class. Church members during sermons. Revealed by the glazed look. Glassy eyes. Drooping face. You know, right?

·         Here's the problem. If we aren't truly wherever we are. If we don't have our mind in the game. If we aren't aware of where we are. If we are focused. Then we are unaware that in each moment-each place, God is with us. We miss the opportunity to commune with him. To connect with him. To enjoy his presence. To receive his comfort. To appreciate his power. To experience his love.

Conclusion

·         So, the question right now: He's here, are you?

·         Do you hear his voice? Do you seek his will?