The Great I AM

I love to listen to worship music.  When I can sing to the Lord I feel a peace flow through my spirit.  Last night at church we sang a great song.  It's called 'Great I Am' by New Life Worship.  I started thinking about what it means when we say God is the great I Am.  Where in the world did they get I Am? 

The name I AM is first seen in Exodus 3:14.  The bush is burning, God has informed Moses of his mission to set the Israelites free from the bondage of slavery, but Moses has a few questions.  Questions about himself, the mission, and what to say when the all important question is asked:  "...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?"  (Exodus 3:13)  God tells him to say to the Israelites:  "...I AM has sent me to you." 

Why I AM?   I AM is the Hebrew word that we get Yahweh from.  (You will also see it written as YHWH.)  Another name of Yahweh is Jehovah.  These names were, to the Jewish people, to sacred to be said out loud, so they called the Lord the I AM. 

OK, so I AM what?  I think they call the Lord the I AM because He is everything.  Do you need a friend?  Jehovah-Shammah.  Do you need peace in your life?  Jehovah-Shalom.  Healing?  Jahovah-Rapha.  Protection?  Jehovah-Rohi.  Someone to fight for you?  Jehovah-Saboath.  An encounter?  Immanuel.  Righteousness?  Jehovah-Tsidkenu.  These are just a few of the names of God.  He has so many names because He is everything we need.   I am thankful God is bigger than what I alone imagine Him to be.  I'm thankful He reveals Himself in these different ways, because we all have different needs.  He is I AM!

Lord, thank you for not leaving us alone to fend for ourselves.  Thank you for being I AM.  Thank you for Immanuel, God with us, Jesus.  Lord  you are our everything, and I praise your name!  Lord, when I call on You, I have confidence that You hear me.  You know what I need before I ask.  Lord I rest in You, and want You with me always to guide me in this life.  I love you Lord, my I AM.  In Jesus name, ~Amen.

In Him,
~ashley