There was a moment a week ago, when this thought hit me between the eyes. It’s not necessarily a new thought. I’m sure I’ve had it before. But it’s a thought that is sticking with me with tenacity.
In Exodus when Moses is arguing with God in a passive aggressive way about returning to Egypt, he finally gives up. It took a fair bit of whining before I imagine he threw up his hands and said, “Fine, You’re more stubborn than me. I’ll go.” Then he paused. One more question had hit him, and he didn’t want the God of the universe to decide it was one question too many and it was time to smote him to the ground. Or have those flames from the burning bush leap toward him with the power to destroy him.
I imagine him clearing his throat nervously. Glancing at his hands as he hunches over a wee bit. Then he leans back with his weight on the back foot. Ready to pivot and run. “Who…” He clears his throat. “Who shall I say sent me?”
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
It’s a story we learn in Sunday school. The burning bush fills our thoughts — it’s such a visual scene. Leave it to God to do something arresting as He gets Moses’ attention. This is the time to unveil who God created Moses to be, and Moses wavers. He hesitates. He questions. He basically tells God He’s got the wrong man.
And yet, when God tells Moses what name to use for God when he returns to Egypt and goes to the Israelites, He calls Himself I AM WHO I AM.
I’ve known this name for God for essentially as long as I’ve known this chapter of the Bible. What has resonated in my heart with startling clarity is the idea that God is I AM. Not I was (You’re too late. If you’d come earlier, I could have helped you, but it’s too late. You’ve missed your window. So sorry.). Not I will be (You’re too early. You’re not ready. You’re not good enough. You’re not clean enough. You have too much sin still coating your life). Instead, He is the I AM. I AM enough. I AM the perfect sacrifice. I AM the one who took care of it all. I AM the one with a plan. I AM the way. In this moment, I AM.
Does that resonate with anyone else as comforting? I don’t know what situation you are facing in your life, but know He IS, and that is enough. Turn it over to Him and trust that He is who He says He is.
What name of God resonates with you right now?
Comments 4
I have faced things and had a peace from knowing that He IS and that is all I needed. Wonderful post.
Isn’t that true, Ann. Knowing He is helps get me through many situations, too.
The most striking name of God to me is El Shaddai. In Hebrew, Shaddai literally means “breast”, vividly illustrating God’s ability to completely sustain us. An infant needs nothing but her mother’s milk, nor does she want anything else. God desires me to want and need nothing but Him. He is completely able to supply my every spiritual need, a fact which I forget all too often. I run to everything else but His Word, wondering why I feel empty and drained, while Jesus calls, “Come to me… I am the Living Water and the Bread of Life… I am all you need.”
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Yes! I love this.