I AM

What is God’s name? Most people would say, “Well, it’s just ‘God’ right?” That is true, but there is a little more to His name… actually, a lot more. We are going to spend the summer learning about the names of God in the Bible which reveal so much about who He is, His nature and His character. When we know who God is, we can fully appreciate Him, find our hope in Him and worship Him with our lives.

When Lori andI were expecting our first child, and the two that followed, like most expectant parents, we poured over possible names. We wanted to do a good job naming our children because they would be stuck with those names for their whole lives!

Did you know God has a personal name? He revealed His name to Moses in a burning bush… He called himself “I AM” which in Hebrew is YHWH (also YaHWeH). It means “I am the One Who was, Who is, and Who will always be.” (Exodus 3:14; Rev.1:8)

Why did Moses need to know God’s name? Why do we need to know it? From that burning bush, God called Moses to lead His people out of captivity and slavery in Egypt. Moses’ initial reaction was doubt that he was the person for the job. He said to God, “Who am I” that You would call me to this monumental task (Ex. 3:11) Moses clearly wasn’t sure he was up for that. Have you every felt like that; not sure you were going to be able to accomplish whatever God had put in front of you? Doubt always lurks when God is about to go to work in your life! It is a favorite tool of the enemy (Satan).

Maybe you are wrestling with doubt today. Moses was doubtful when God called Him to take on this big job. Life is full of “big jobs”… raising children, making a living, building a healthy marriage, enduring hardships, battling illnesses, heartache, and sin. Maybe you doubt whether you can accomplish whatever task God has put in front of you. How can you do it? Like Moses and the Israelites, overcoming doubt means knowing who God is and that He is always with you! (Ex. 3:12).

YHWH is self-sufficient, self-existent and omni-present. He doesn’t depend on anything or anyone; He simply was, is and will be. You are totally dependent on Him. And we can count on Him! When Moses asked God “who should I say sent me?”, God shared His name. He wanted them, and us, to know we can count on Him in every way! There is no need to doubt. The Israelites must have been hopeless; but YHWH offered them hope. In fact, Biblical hope contains “no doubt.” Knowing who God is would answer their doubts. It answers our doubts too!

Who is Jesus and how does He relate to this revelation of God in the Old Testament? Jesus declared Himself to be Yahweh - I AM. (John 8:58). Jesus made seven “I Am” statements to help us understand who He is and what He had come to do, leaving no doubts in our minds.

1) I am the bread of life. (John 6:35)

2) I am the light of the world. (John 8:12; Genesis 1:3)

3) I am the gate. (John 10:9)

4) I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11,14; Psalm 23:1)

5) I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25; Isaiah 26:19)

6) I am the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6; John 1:1,14)

7) I am the vine. (John 15:5)

The great news for us is that God leaves no doubts about who He is! We can count on Him. He will go with us, in the same way He went with Moses and the Israelites. In Jesus, He has proven He is with us now… Jesus offers us our daily needs, strength, guidance and freedom from sin! Thank God today that He was, is and always will be! For much more, listen to Revealed - Part 1 - YAHWEH.