God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)
A true sign of familiarity between persons is the use of a nickname. Whether it’s the simple abbreviation of a name using initials or a distinct characteristic that becomes a calling card, nicknames show an intimacy between friends.
In Exodus 3, God designates the coolest nickname ever for Himself. Moses asks God for a way to describe Him to the Israelite people. Moses needs to be able to tell them who sent him. God answers, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM sent me to you.”
How cool is that? It says it all. God feels no need to limit Himself with words. He simply is. He is not restricted by an action, characteristic or perception. His nickname is simple, yet reveals volumes about His character. Only God could use the language He created to describe Himself so beautifully.
I AM omniscient. I AM omnipresent. I AM omnipotent. I AM loving. I AM the Creator. I AM the Father. I AM jealous. I AM comforting. I AM gracious. I AM merciful. I AM here for you. I AM in control. I AM beyond words.
This name of God gives me comfort every day. As I venture into the unknown of every new day, I know that He is. When I wonder who is going to guide my steps, God says, “I AM.” When I ask who is strong enough to face all my fears, He reveals, “I AM.” When I doubt if anyone is compassionate enough to forgive me of all the sin in my past, He informs me that, “I AM.” With all the doubts and all the fears that bombard my faith every day, I hear one comforting, echoing answer to all my questions: “I AM.”
As we daily follow the great I Am, we are continually reminded of our weakness and His strength. When the Israelites heard Moses’ message, they were blown away. Out of respect to their God, they would not even say His name, for they feared they might use it in vain. God gave us a name so that we may know Him better, fear Him more and love Him with all our hearts. The Lord’s name revealed who He is and what He is about, all in two simple words.
God’s existence is debated in the highest of intellectual forums. It is discussed in the simplest of country diners. But God revealed Himself to Moses in Midian that day thousands of years ago. He revealed Himself to the Israelites through His providence. He has revealed Himself to me through the change in my heart. Moses knew that He is. The Israelites knew that He is. I know that He is.
This fact, that God is, directs my every step, controls my every decision and guides my every thought. For when God revealed Himself to Moses, He revealed Himself to every generation to come. When people ask me who sent me to spread the good news, I tell them: “I AM sent me.”
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Today’s Prayer
Father, thank you for being the great I Am. You are in all things, and I see that so clearly. Thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and forever.
