I can better understand God's name if I
change one word - “I am that I am” to “I am WHO I am.” If I
really believe God is Who He is, who He says He is, that He is always
acting in a way that is consistent with Who He is, then I will live
in the light of that truth and will be who I claim to be (a
Christ-follower).
If God is all-wise, then He always acts
purposely and never makes a mistake.
If God is all-good, then all He does is
good and results in good.
If God is all-powerful, then nothing is
too hard for Him.
If God is just, then He will make all
things right.
If God is love, then He desires what is
best for me.
If God is ever-present, always with me,
then I need never fear.
The list could go on, but if we believe
it, if it is the foundation of our understanding, then we will not
question what God does, but rest in the fact that He is who He is.
(The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.)
Many of us had to come to Him by way of
being stripped of all earthly wisdom and power, to come to the end of
ourselves. (Blessed are those who do not need that extreme discipline
in order to believe.)
God's name (“I am that I am”) also
speaks of His self-existence. He is. Period. That is not true of us.
Our existence depends upon Him. (Read John 1:1-4. ) Denying that fact
does not make it any less true. Only as we acknowledge this truth can
we truly live. (Read John 1:6-13.) Only as we believe in His name can
we live forever (John 3:16-18).
Do you know the God of the Bible? Have
you read His Book? The Apostle John says he wrote his account of
Jesus' life so that “you might believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing, you might have life through his
name.” The Gospel of John is a good place to start.
