The Incomprehensible Attributes of God: Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence

The study of God's character is the most profound and edifying pursuit for any believer. Among His many glorious attributes, three stand out as foundational to understanding His nature and our relationship with Him: His omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. These are not merely abstract theological concepts but vital truths that shape our worship, prayer, and daily walk. They reveal a God who is all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful – a God infinitely worthy of our trust and adoration. As we delve into these magnificent aspects of His being, we draw closer to the incomprehensible majesty of the King James Bible's God.

The Omniscience of God: He Knoweth All Things

God's omniscience means that He possesses perfect and complete knowledge of all things. He knows all facts, all possibilities, all events, and all thoughts, past, present, and future. Nothing is hidden from His sight, nor is there any secret that escapes His understanding. This is not a knowledge that He acquires or learns; it is inherent to His very being, eternal and immutable. The Psalmist beautifully declares this truth:

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Psalms 139:2

Not only does God know our actions and thoughts, but He knows them before they even form in our minds. His knowledge extends to the most minute details of creation, even counting the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). He knows the end from the beginning, declaring future events with absolute certainty, as found in Isaiah 46:10: "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."

This divine attribute brings both comfort and conviction. For the believer, it is a source of immense comfort to know that God understands our deepest struggles, our unspoken prayers, and even our hidden motives. He knows our needs before we ask and our heart's cry before we utter a word. As 1 John 3:20 assures us, "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." He sees our genuine repentance and hears our sincere pleas.

Conversely, God's omniscience also implies accountability. There is no escaping His gaze, no secret sin that can be hidden. Hebrews 4:13 states, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." This truth should compel us to live in holiness, knowing that our every thought and action is known to Him. It encourages sincerity in our faith and purity in our hearts, knowing that we serve a God who sees and knows all.

The Omnipresence of God: He Is Everywhere Present

The omnipresence of God means that He is present in all places at all times. He is not confined by space or time, nor is there any location where He is absent. This does not mean that God is diffused throughout creation or that He is identical with creation (pantheism). Rather, it means that His entire being, power, and knowledge are fully present everywhere simultaneously. The Psalmist again eloquently expresses this profound truth:

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psalms 139:7-10

God's omnipresence is not merely a philosophical concept; it is a living reality. He is not a distant deity, uninvolved in the affairs of His creation. Rather, as Jeremiah 23:23-24 proclaims, "Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD." This means that whether we are in the heights of joy or the depths of despair, God is there. Whether we are in public or in the most private moments, His presence encompasses us.

The implications of God's omnipresence are far-reaching. For the believer, it offers immense comfort and security. We are never truly alone. In times of trial, we can rest assured that God is with us, upholding us with His mighty hand. In moments of temptation, His presence serves as a powerful deterrent against sin. The Apostle Paul, speaking to the Athenians, affirmed this truth in Acts 17:27-28: "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."

For the ungodly, this truth is a solemn warning. There is no place to hide from God's justice. Every deed, good or evil, is performed in His sight, and He will bring every work into judgment. The omnipresence of God underpins His ability to govern and sustain all creation, ensuring that His will is executed throughout the universe.

The Omnipotence of God: He Can Do All Things

God's omnipotence signifies that He is all-powerful, possessing infinite power and authority. He can do anything that is consistent with His holy and righteous nature. There are no limitations to His power, save those He places upon Himself (e.g., He cannot lie, He cannot deny Himself, He cannot be tempted with evil). His power is not derived but inherent, eternal, and absolute. The prophet Jeremiah exclaims:

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah 32:17

This attribute is demonstrated throughout the Bible. It was by His omnipotence that God spoke the universe into existence (Psalms 33:6, Psalms 33:9). It was His power that parted the Red Sea, brought water from a rock, and healed the sick. Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 19:26, "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." This echoes the angelic declaration to Mary in Luke 1:37: "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

God's omnipotence provides immense assurance to believers. Whatever challenges we face, whatever obstacles seem insurmountable, we serve a God for whom "no thought can be withholden" (Job 42:2) and who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). This means that His plans cannot be thwarted, His promises cannot fail, and His purposes will always prevail.

The omnipotence of God is not arbitrary power but is always exercised in conjunction with His other attributes, such as His wisdom, justice, and love. He uses His power to uphold His creation, to execute judgment, and to bring about salvation. This is why the heavenly multitude in Revelation 19:6 cries out, "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." His reign is one of absolute power, ensuring His perfect will is accomplished.

Conclusion: A God Worthy of All Praise

The omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence of God are not isolated truths but are intricately interwoven, forming the very fabric of His divine character. Because He is omniscient, His power is always directed by perfect wisdom. Because He is omnipresent, His knowledge and power are active in every place and at every moment. These attributes together reveal a God who is utterly sovereign, in control of all things, intimately aware of our lives, and infinitely capable of fulfilling His every promise.

For the believer, these truths should inspire profound reverence, unwavering trust, and heartfelt worship. We serve a God who knows us completely, is always with us, and is able to do anything. In times of uncertainty, we can lean on His infallible knowledge. In moments of loneliness, we can find comfort in His ever-present Spirit. In the face of impossible situations, we can rest in His boundless power. May our understanding of these glorious attributes deepen our faith and lead us to declare with awe and adoration, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable" (Psalms 145:3).