Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”
- Psalm 139:7–10
There are places where we never expected to find ourselves. A new city. An empty home. A hospital room. A difficult season. A chapter we didn't choose. For me personally, I have found myself in so many of these scenarios- a divorcee, an empty nester with an empty apartment, no home, no husband, a single mom, a caretaker for my mom with Alzheimer’s, a disabled person who almost lost the use of her legs. So many things out of my control that I never thought I'd face. But life can be like that, right? I don’t share these things for sympathy, but rather to encourage you that while we may not choose our life situations, we can choose how we face them and work through them as believers in Jesus Christ.
David reminds us that nowhere can we go where God cannot reach us. The Psalms are beautiful and poetic. David ponders God’s omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence.
- Omnipotent means all-powerful. God has complete and unlimited power over everything He has created. Nothing is beyond His ability, and His power is always consistent with His character and His perfect will.
- Omniscient means all-knowing. God knows everything—what has happened, what is happening, and what is yet to come. Nothing is hidden from Him, and nothing ever surprises Him. He knows every detail, every circumstance, and every part of our story.
- Omnipresent means that God is present everywhere, always. Nowhere can we go where He is not. His presence reaches across all of creation, and nothing exists outside of His awareness or beyond His reach.
We may feel far away from everyone else, but we are never far from Him. God's presence isn't limited by geography. He is with you in the room where you cry and in your car, driving home from work or the grocery store. He is with you when you wake up in the middle of the night with panic or the knot in the pit of your stomach. He is with you in the places no one else can enter. You don't have to find your way back to God's presence. He is already there.
God is not only with us in our pain. He rejoices over us with exceeding gladness. He is joyful with us when we laugh and enjoy life. As our loving Father, He loves to give us good gifts. Today, as you begin your day, what is one thing you can trust Him with, good or difficult? What excitement or discouragement could you invite Him into with you?
Prayer: Lord, thank You that there is nowhere I can go where You are not. Help me become more aware of Your presence today. When I feel alone, remind me that You always hold me. Amen.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
Before moving into the next part of your day, pause and remember: God is already with you. Wherever you are—in a familiar place, an uncertain season, or a difficult circumstance—you are held within His presence.
Use the prompts below to reflect on His nearness and bring your honest thoughts to Him.
Journal & Reflect
Psalm 139:7–10 reminds us that there is nowhere we can go beyond God’s presence. Whether we are walking through joy, uncertainty, loneliness, or change, He is already there.
God’s presence is not limited to peaceful places or easy circumstances. He meets us in the wilderness, goes before us into the unknown, and holds us securely when we do not know what comes next.
- Where do I most need to remember that God is with me today?
- When have I felt distant from God, even though He was near?
- What situation am I facing that feels uncertain or overwhelming?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Psalm 139:7–10 mean?
Psalm 139:7–10 reminds us that God’s presence is everywhere. There is no place we can go where He is absent, and His hand continues to guide and hold us wherever life takes us.
Does God’s presence mean life will always be easy?
No. God’s presence does not promise a life without hardship. It promises that we never face hardship alone. God remains with us in uncertainty, suffering, transition, and joy.
What does it mean that God’s hand will guide and hold me?
This language communicates God’s care, direction, and strength. He can lead us when we lack clarity and sustain us when we feel unable to continue.
How can I become more aware of God’s presence?
Begin with small moments of attention. Pause to pray before starting your day, reflect on Scripture, take a quiet walk, or thank God for His nearness during ordinary tasks. Awareness often grows through intentional stillness.
What if I do not feel God’s presence?
Feelings can change, but God’s faithfulness does not. When you feel distant, continue bringing your honest emotions to Him, return to His promises, and seek encouragement from trusted people in your faith community.
How can God’s presence help with anxiety?
Remembering that God is near can provide a steady point of comfort when your thoughts feel unsettled. Prayer, Scripture, slow breathing, journaling, and support from a trusted counselor or loved one can also help you process anxiety wisely.
How can journaling help me reflect on God’s presence?
Journaling helps you slow down, name your fears, remember moments of God’s faithfulness, and notice where you may be experiencing His guidance and care.
Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being with me wherever I go. When I feel uncertain, anxious, or alone, remind me that I am never beyond Your reach.
Guide me when I do not know which way to turn. Hold me when I feel weak, and give me peace when my circumstances are beyond my control. Help me become more aware of Your presence in the ordinary moments of my day.
Teach me to trust that You go before me, walk beside me, and hold me securely in Your care.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Message from Kara
There may be moments when you feel far from God or unsure of what comes next. I hope this devotional reminds you that His presence is not dependent on what you feel or how clearly you can see the way forward. God is with you in the places you understand and the places you do not. He is guiding you, holding you, and meeting you one moment at a time. May you rest today in the comfort of knowing you are never alone.
With Love,
Kara
Applying this to your Daily Routine
Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.
👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com
Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Connected by Jenn Thatcher | Personalized Scripture Journal
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, these devotionals may help you find peace:
Daily Devotional • Psalm 34:18 • God Is Near to the Brokenhearted
1 comment
Linda
I am so blessed by Sherry Shepherd’s devotionals. She uses her past trials and struggles to encourage others with God’s presence in her life and ours. God uses other’s struggles, as well as our own, to grow our faith and to patiently rely on Him in difficult times. He indeed goes before us to make a way. He is our source. Thank you Sherry!
I am so blessed by Sherry Shepherd’s devotionals. She uses her past trials and struggles to encourage others with God’s presence in her life and ours. God uses other’s struggles, as well as our own, to grow our faith and to patiently rely on Him in difficult times. He indeed goes before us to make a way. He is our source. Thank you Sherry!