Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
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.’”
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ Exodus 3:13-15
My life had been rocked by adultery, my offer of forgiveness trampled. My heart ached. I wondered how I would ever get through the days ahead. I had three young children, nothing more than a part-time job. I felt lost. I was scared. I was surrounded by uncertainty.
As I drove down the road, the radio was on the local Christian radio station. My mind swirled with a mix of emotion and painful thoughts. Something on the radio suddenly swept me back to reality. The mention of “The Great I Am” sent my mind into a different thought pattern.
I have been a Christian since the age of six. I was raised in church. I attended a Southern Baptist college. I have heard the story of Moses and the burning bush my entire life. But, in that moment, I suddenly grasped the concept of the Great I Am.
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:8
When I became a single mom, my income was approximately $250 every other week. I had an $1100 per month mortgage payment and four mouths to feed. It was impossible for my money to meet my needs.
But it did. My Jehovah Jireh—the God who provides—stepped in repeatedly. Whether it was the kind gentleman at church who slipped me $200 or an unexpected tax return, the money was always there. We pinched every penny we could. We were on a very tight budget. But, as only God can do, He took care of it.
When I was in need, God said, “I am…your provider.”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6
I was lost and devastated, not sure what to do. I didn’t know how to live my new life, one that had been thrust upon me. I had lost myself during my 17 year marriage, and I was struggling to put my life together, to lead my children the way they deserved.
As I cried out to God, He promised to lead me and direct me. He promised to restore me. He promised to give me an abundant life!
When I was lost, God said, “I am…your way.”
For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. Proverbs 22:23
When my ex-husband went to another church and claimed that I had simply decided I wanted to marry someone else, I was angry! I wanted to send the church the stacks of incriminating evidence that were in my possession. I wanted to fight back, to make sure the truth was known, to defend my reputation.
Instead, God told me that He would make my righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of my cause like the noonday sun (Psalm 37:6). There was no need for me to send the information because God came to my aid!
When I needed someone to defend me, He said, “I am…your defender.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; John 11:25
There were days I truly felt my life was over, there was no reason to keep going. I had lost the very things I held most dear: my family and my ministry. My children were the only reason I felt I could keep going. How would we ever survive? What kind of a future did we have?
As I fretted over the future, God swept in to remind me that He has plans to give me a hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). He reminded me that all things work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). He reminded me that He will resurrect the dead back to life.
When I was dead and saw no hope, God said, “I am…your resurrection and your life.”
You see, no matter what I face, I have come to understand that God is. God is able. God is willing. God is there. There is no problem, no hurt, no fear too big for God. He is able and willing to carry you through, to meet your every need. When trials take us by surprise, they don’t take God by surprise. He is waiting, prepared to be everything you need.
Whatever my need, whenever I need, God says, “I am..”