Strange question isn’t it, because thankfully for the Children of Israel, Moses did. In Exodus chapter 3, Moses was an obscure shepherd on the backside of a desert, humbled, tending a flock of sheep that didn’t even belong to him. This is a long way from being a prince of Egypt. On this day, Moses was in the everyday humdrum of his life when he saw a burning bush. Strange enough to Moses that he stopped to look at this wonder as the bush, on fire, wasn’t being burned.
I want to ask you if during your everyday schedule you notice any burning shrubbery along your path? Or does the hurried pace of today’s life have you moving so fast that you don’t notice such wonders. God was waiting (Exodus 3:4) for Moses to turn aside and take the time to see what He had to say. Do we take the time to hear God’s instructions? Do we take the time to read God’s Word daily so we too can see the wonders He has in store for us? Even the burning bush, as great as that sight was, wouldn’t change anything until Moses received the Word of God. Notice, stop, and then received God’s Word. Please don’t allow the noise in your life to keep you from receiving what God has for you.
The question isn’t, as Moses asked, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11) The question should be, “Who is God.” What does it matter who we are when what counts … is … who God IS. He is the I AM. “Who is God to me,” you might ask. He is who you need Him to be. Are you sick? You need the Lord our Healer. Are you in danger, have you lost your way? Then you need the Lord my Sheppard. Are you afraid of anything? Then you need the Lord is Peace. Do you have a battle to fight? Then you need the Lord is my Banner.
Why did God tell Moses, when asked, to tell them “I AM WHO I AM”? God is “the becoming one”. In other words, God becomes whatever is lacking in our time of need. The name I AM invites us to fill in the blank to meet our need. A divine name that Jesus took upon Himself often, linking Himself with the voice from the burning bush. (Read John 8:24, 28, 58; John 13:19; John 18:4-6)
Allow, ask God to be your “I AM”.
- "The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14).
- "The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).
- “The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24).
- “The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45 Isaiah 6:1-3 also Psalm 68:17; 104:4; 148:2). This declares His leadership and sovereignty over the host of heaven.
- “The Lord your Sanctifier.”Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify [“observe as clean” “be kept or keep holy”] you.). This declares the desire of God to set His people apart for special service.
- “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1). This declares the guidance and provisional care of the Lord. It also declares the close relational fellowship between the Shepherd and His sheep.
- “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6). This declares that true righteousness is of the Lord.
- “The Lord is there.” This declares the presence of God, especially in regards to His relationship with His own (Ezek. 48:35).
- “The Lord our Healer” This declares that God is the Great Healer of all afflictions; both physical and spiritual.(Exodus 15:26; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 41:4; 147:3; Deuteronomy 32:39; Malachi 4:1,2)
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