God the "The Great I Am"

In Exodus 3 Moses finds himself on holy ground facing a burning bush that is not consumed by the blazing flames. Even more stunning for Moses is out of the bush God (Yhweh) speaks to this once powerful prince of Egypt now turned shepherd. Moses as one might imagine is stunned when God calls him to return to Egypt to rescue his people, the Children of Israel. Moses stammers and stutters to ask God, “What is your name? Who do I tell your people it is who sent me?” God ‘s thundering response from the burning bush, “You go tell the people ‘I AM’ sent you!”

Unlike the idols of Moses day as well as today God the Father doesn’t reveal his name. Of course we know God through Jesus Christ, but as for God, well God is the “Great I AM.” While shrouded in mystery, our Christian God is the “I AM” because he meets us where we are in life and has many diverse names to many diverse Christian people. Sometimes God is Our Rock, the Good Shepherd, the Gate, our Strength, our Companion, I am your ear, I am your friend, I am your salve. Sometimes God is our strong Dwelling Place, or Savior.

The bottom line is God is “I AM” because God is One in unity while diverse in Trinity. God is “I AM” so that God can be what God needs to be for us at different places, times and experiences in our lives. God is our consoler in pain, comforter in grief, joy in celebration and gladness in spirit. God is the Incarnate Christ and holy Redeemer who died for our sins. God is the Risen Lord who conquered death. God is silence who speaks volumes. God is who God is for us as God sees fit.

In an economic era where homes are foreclosed on everyday, people struggle to pay their bills, and jobs are scare we need a God whose name meets us where we are in life. When we face illness and the unknown we need a God who is diverse in nature. We are not alone. Every age has faced its challenges and in every age God the “Great I Am” has revealed himself as God saw fit to help his people. We don’t know God by one single name because we need a God whose name is relevant to whatever situation we may find ourselves.