In their days of wilderness wandering, the nation of Israel approached the land of Canaan for the second time. They eventually made their way to the land of Moab, following impressive victories over the armies of Sihon and Og. Fearing his army would also fall to the Israelites, Balak, the king, secured the services of Balaam, the prophet, in hopes that he might curse the children of Israel. When things did not go as planned, Balaam explains the futility of going against God’s prophetic word, saying, “God is not a man, that He should lie…” (Num. 23:19).

God is not a man. He is “God, and there is no one like [Him]” (Is. 46:9). His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8-9). He is transcendent—“above and independent of the material universe” (Amer. Her. Dict.). In Psalm 50:21, God condemns the wicked, saying, “You thought I was just like you.”

But, while He is “above and independent of the material universe”, God also exists and remains within the universe. This is what we mean by God’s immanence. If God were merely transcendent, we might be tempted to question His concern for us. He would still be the Creator of all things; but He would seem far removed from our daily lives.

But, Scripture paints a different picture of God. At Mars Hill, in the city of Athens, the apostle Paul describes our position in relation to God, saying, “He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…” (Acts 17:27-28). This is our invitation to “seek God, if perhaps [we] might grope for Him and find Him…” (vs. 27). He is within reach of all will turn to Him in repentance (vs. 30).

Earlier in his sermon, Paul describes God in these words: “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things…” (Acts 17:24–25). Behold, then, both the transcendence and immanence of God! There is no one like Him. He is far above the heavens and the earth and, yet, within reach of all who will truly seek His presence.