CELEBRATING THE GREAT I AM

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’”– Exodus 3:14

The God of Israel introduced Himself through Moses to His people, as the “I AM WHO I AM”! What was the context of this? The Israelites were crying day and night for deliverance.  God called Moses to help lead them out of Egypt. He made the amazing statement to Moses as He introduced Himself in the midst of the burning bush. When Moses asked God what His Name was, the Lord replied, “I AM that I AM.” Thus, He provided a promise to Israel – to become what they would need Him to become – in this case – their Deliverer. The Hebrew words for “I am that I am” accurately translate “I will be what I will be” or “I will become whatsoever I may become.” This was God’s way of assuring and pledging to Moses and Israel that He would become whatever they needed Him to become.

After Jesus introduced Himself to the Jews, He affirmed: “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jh.8:58). The Lord tells us repeatedly in His Word that He is the Great “I AM” – two small words, three simple letters! At no better time do the words “less is more” hold more truth. These unvarnished, powerfully simplistic words say more about this most awesome God than a whole novel ever could. They assure us that not one trait defining our God could ever be left out. "I AM," says it all. The enormity of that is amazing – HE JUST IS! We simply cannot list everything that God is! Those two words are profoundly meant to be followed by whatever we need them to say and whoever we need God to be per time.

There’s hardly any limit to what I can use to fill in those voids. I can unceasingly call on Him. He is all that I need, when I need Him. He is never on break, never asleep on the job. He is never too engrossed with more important things. He is never too tired, angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed to meet me at my point of need. His customer service is top efficient. He never puts me on hold or lets my message go to voice mail. Beloved, what do you need God to be today? Jesus is the ‘I AM’ of the Old Testament revealed in the flesh (Jh.1:14). When I call on Jesus, all that is included in the titles and Name of Yahweh is activated! Therefore, I will not fear, because the I AM That I AM is with me today and always!

Jesus Christ is the Great I AM. Several times in the Gospel of John, He attested to His deity, as the Great I AM:

• Jesus declared, “I am the Bread of Life” (Jh.6:35). He alone is able to satisfy the greatest hunger in our lives.
• Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world” (Jh. 8:12; 9:5). He healed a blind man groping in darkness and then opened his spiritual eyes so he could see the great I AM and worship Him.
• Jesus said “I am the Door” (Jh. 10:7, 9). All other doors lead down the wrong path to eternal destruction.
• Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd” (Jh. 10:11, 14). He takes us by the hand into the Father’s presence.
• Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and Life” (Jh. 11:25-26). He conquered death and rose from the dead to prove it.
• Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (14:6). Only God can claim that.
• Jesus said, “I am the True Vine” (15:1, 5). He is the Source, Supplier, and Sustainer of our spiritual life.

What will you do with the Great I AM? Claim Him as your Lord and celebrate Him today and forever!