Psalm 40: Transcendence and Immanence

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done and Your thoughts toward us." ~ Psalm 40:5

As I was reading the Word this mornig this verse particularly stood out to me. I'm in awe of the two sides of God that this verse draws out.

First, God is a God of Wonders. Many are His wonders and miracles. He created the entire world with His Word. He split the entire Red Sea and allowed Israel to pass on dry ground. He resurrected Lazarus from the dead. He calmed the raging sea. God is truly transcendent above all of creation. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing God of the universe!

YET!

The psalmist also proclaims that this very same God who wields all the cosmic powers is also an intimate God with His people. Many are His thoughts toward us. God is near to His children. The God who runs and controls every aspect of the universe, knows each of us by name. We, His people, have the attention of His mind. He knows our needs, our desires, and our thoughts. He is compassionate in leading us in the way He has prepared for us.

The fantastic message that this verse proclaims is that God is both the transcedent, all-powerful God of the universe AND the immanent, personal God of His people. Truly this is why the psalmist states in the next verse, "There is none to compare you with!"