Nightmares
If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. Psalm 139:8 NASB
In Sheol – This verse is often used as a proof text for the omnipresence of God, but I don’t think David had any theological doctrine in mind when he wrote it. It seems unimaginable to me that David, a boy who lived under the stars and a king who listened to the Spirit, had any problems at all with the breadth of God’s kingdom. Besides, this poem is about intimacy with God, not theological arguments. Basically David is saying that no matter what we do, God knows us, cares for us, examines us and watches over us. With this emotional ethos in mind, David’s statement about Sheol is far less concerned with the scope of omnipresence than it is about something far more relevant. Frankly, it’s about where God is when we make life hell on earth.
There is a big difference between feeling the absence of God and ignoring His presence. The emotional result might seem to be the same, that is, abandonment, but the reasons for the result are radically different. I feel the absence of God when my life takes twists and turns I didn’t expect or prepare for and I am aware of my helplessness. It’s like finding that the tub overflowed from the apartment above, the ceiling is about to collapse and the landlord in nowhere to be found. Absence does not make the heart grow fonder. Absence makes the heart afraid. When we feel as if life is careening out of control but God is nowhere to be found, we experience absence. It’s not always bad, by the way, since our cognitive theology tells us that God really hasn’t left. We just feel as if He has, and this presents us with the opportunity to affirm our trust in Him even in the midst of impending panic. We learn. Absence is a teacher of faith.
But sometimes we make our beds in Sheol. Sometimes we know full well that God should be present but we choose to ignore Him because Sheol is delicious at the moment. Ah, it soon becomes a nightmare (or later). Then we may realize that God was there all the time even if we pretended He wasn’t. This is not experiencing absence. This is experiencing the denial of His presence.
Now let’s try this verse again. First David writes that if he should ascend to heaven, that is, go to the obvious place of God’s residence, he will discover (not surprisingly) that God is on His throne. Things in heaven are just as they should be. The Creator is in residence. But, writes David, suppose “I make my bed” in Sheol. This is not accidental. This is a deliberate act to encamp in the dark recesses of the world, to take up abode in those delicious nightmares. Suppose, writes David, that I deliberately chose a place where I don’t acknowledge God’s presence, where I think that He might not visit because the place is so unrighteous. My guess is that we all know such places, not because they are figments of our imaginations but because we have spent a few nights in these corners of the globe. What do we find? David exclaims, “My goodness. God was in this place and I didn’t know it!” (compare Jacob). But of course he knew it. He just didn’t want to know it while he was there. There isn’t anyplace where we can escape from God. Not even the nightmare places will keep Him out. And that’s the important point here.
The point is not that God is everywhere. The point is that God is everywhere I choose to go. There is no hole I can crawl into where God is really absent. That means there is no place that I can construct where God doesn’t show up even if I choose to ignore His presence. And that means that God knows all my nightmare, escapist, pretend-you-aren’t-here places. And He knows when I choose to visit them. So since He is there before I arrive, why do I feel alone when I check in? Simple. Because there is a difference between feeling God’s absence and ignoring His presence.
The next time you make a reservation at Nightmare Hotel, ask yourself which of these two is driving you.
Topical Index: Sheol, absence, presence, Psalm 139:8
Hmmm…absence vs. denial of his presence. I can see how this would relate in a situation when we’ve gone off sinning somewhere and think God can’t see us when he really can. We’re essentially making our bed in Sheol so we can lie in it; all the while, God is there watching us do it. On the other hand, we also experience nightmares that result from what those closest to us do. Even if they are not ashamed of their sin, we may be ashamed of it. They could be dealing with other problems or disabilities. As we cope with them, we might be feeling hopelessness, embarrassment, humiliation, frustration, lack of control, anger, etc. During these times we may feel as though God is absent. We should know that God is there walking with us through those difficult times and take comfort from that; but, sometimes, some of us have the nerve to deny his presence. Those that do this don’t experience God’s peace during these times of turmoil. They prefer self pity. If we believe he is present, we can have some level of peace and even hope in the midst of the storm. He even sends our brothers and sisters to comfort us when we need it.
He is everywhere that we are, because we are his temple and resides in us , whenever we feel that he is not with is us we know that there is a breach that needs repairing hecsees all , and knows all .
Great word! Love reading word for the day. Always so insightful!
You are so tuned in to the Ruach, Skip.
The previous TWs seem to have been targeted to the counseling I have been/am giving. Amazing.
“Sometimes we know full well that God should be present but we choose to ignore Him because Sheol is delicious at the moment.” Then comes the consequential nightmare/s, so beware!!!
Yes, a HUGE difference between feeling God’s absence and ignoring/ denying His very presence. Sad mistake, indeed.
This Psalty’s Kids’ Praise, one of my grand daughter’s favourite, “Don’t play hide and seek, with the LORD Who loves you…..for you can’t hide from Him!”
Shalom.