How Big Is Our God?

By Dale J. Babinsky
    The Psalms offer a profound exploration of God’s character and relationship with humanity. As we have been looking at the Psalms, we have seen many attributes of God’s love for us. Now, we turn to Psalm 139, which can be divided into four sections, each highlighting a distinct attribute of God: His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, and holiness.    Psalm 139:1-6 reveals that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He possesses a deep, intimate knowledge of each person—not a superficial acquaintance, but a complete understanding of our thoughts and words before we even express them. This is echoed in Amos 4:13, which describes God as the one who declares to humanity what their thoughts are. David marvels at this omniscience, finding it too wonderful and high to fully comprehend.    Psalm 139:7-12 asks, “Where can I flee from your presence?” History shows that some have tried—Adam and Eve, Jonah—but the answer is clear: nowhere. God’s reach extends to the stars, the depths of Sheol (the place of the dead), the depths of the oceans, and even the darkness. Just as God sees all, He is everywhere at once. For those who belong to Him, this is a blessing—He will never miss or overlook you. For those on the outside, it is a source of fear. The omnipresence of God means you can run, but you cannot hide.    Psalm 139:13-18 celebrates God as the Creator who formed and knit together our innermost parts. The wonder of childbirth is a testament to His creative power. David acknowledges that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God’s works are marvelous. This truth should shape how we treat one another, recognizing that we are all part of God’s magnificent creation. God knew us even in the womb, before our days began. David marvels that God is mindful of each of us, as echoed in Psalm 8:3-4. God’s omnipotence is manifested in the fact that He has always known us, and our lives are in His hands.    Psalm 139:19-24 marks a shift from praise to a passionate rejection of the ungodly. Our awesome God is also a holy God, intolerant of sin and evil. David’s zeal reflects a hatred for what God hates—not out of spite, but out of devotion. God’s holiness demands that we, too, pursue holiness, as emphasized in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 and 2 Chronicles 19:1-2. David’s desire is not only for purity in others but also in himself, asking God to search him and reveal any shortcomings. This call to self-examination is echoed in 2 Corinthians 13:5. Ultimately, David aspires to be like the righteous man described in Psalm 1.    We serve a BIG God—one who is all knowing, ever present, all powerful, and all holy. He knows each of us intimately, is with us everywhere, owns every part of our being, and calls us to be like Him. Psalm 139 transcends any small thoughts we may have of God, remaining intensely personal throughout. As the New Bible Commentary notes, this psalm is written by one who knows they cannot escape God and finds comfort in that truth. The invitation stands: why wouldn’t we want to serve a God like this?

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/