Spotted And Preserved – Anne Adams
“Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7 NIV)
"Hurry!" Dad urged little Jimmy. “The smoke's getting thicker!"
Just moments before, after they had arrived at a state park to go on a hike, Dad and Jimmy were forced to flee a sudden brushfire and run back to the nearby parking lot. Just as Dad shouted his warning, the smoke caught up to them as they arrived at the top of a small bluff. They spotted their car below in the parking lot, but instead of taking the U path back, Dad scrambled down the bluff intending to have Jimmy leap down to him.
“Jump, I’ll catch you!” Dad yelled, holding out his arms as the smoke began to thicken around his terror-stricken boy.
"Daddy!" He screamed. "I can't see you!"
"You don't need to!" The father called. "I can see you and that's all that matters! Jump!"
The churning smoke was obliterating his small figure as Jimmy hurtled himself down the slope – and into his father's arms. They quickly got into their car and drove away.
In our Scripture passage, the writer ponders what theologians call God’s omnipresence – how the Lord is always with us. It is in fact, just the Psalmist says, you or I can’t escape it! And of course, I don’t want to, especially when I can be occasionally surrounded by the enveloping swirl of confusion on my spiritual journey. Indeed, if I can’t see him, then I know he can see me.
In addition, with that omnipresence comes another divine characteristic – the omnipotence that enables God to preserve and provide for me. So I know God’s omnipresence spots me – and his omnipotence preserves me – and that’s all that matters.
Anne lives in Texas and has been published by Christian and secular outlets. She loves Jesus. Contact
