The concept of the presence of God is always an intriguing one. We know that one of God’s characteristics is His omnipresence – He is present everywhere at the same time. If this is true, how could Jonah have fled from the presence of the Lord? A portion of Scriptures in the Psalms stresses the point that one cannot escape the ubiquitous power and presence of God. “Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I go up into Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the furthest parts of the sea; even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:8-10).

Departing from the revealed will of God is like departing from His presence…Those who abide in the will of God are abiding in His presence, and they have no cause for alarm. 

In dealing with this subject, we have to understand the technicality of it. Jonah departed from the presence of the Lord only in a technical sense. He left where the presence of God could manifestly function to his advantage. Departing from the revealed will of God is like departing from His presence. At that point in Jonah’s life, God’s backing for him was meant to be operational in Nineveh; but when he brushed the will of God aside, he found himself struggling in the belly of the fish. The full graces of God are made available for those who walk in the centre of God’s will. His presence will back them up, and they will be able to overcome all oppositions. Those who abide in the will of God are abiding in His presence, and they have no cause for alarm.