“What is His name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, ‘I AM THAT I AM.” Exodus 3:14
Dear Ones:
What is in a name? It’s significance and meaning depends upon the one who is the bearer of it. In the case of God revealing Himself to Moses, and consequently to the children of Israel, by a name, He gave them an understanding of His eternal nature, and character. In doing so he provides them with the sufficient, and established foundation for faith. In telling Moses that his name was, “I AM THAT I AM,” he, in essence, brings Moses up into heaven to see God as He IS, perpetually the same, never ceasing or changing. He is as James writes in his letter: “…the Father of lights, with whom there is NO variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (1:17) W. Chalmers Smith wrote concerning this eternal nature of God: “Immortal, invisible, God only wise; In light inaccessible hid from our eyes; Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days; Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.” The name that God gave to Moses for Israel unveiled to them the ever-present, Almighty, sufficient, presence of God, from Whom, not only all blessings flow, but by Whom nothing is impossible. How does this knowledge of God apply to our lives?
Probably some of the greatest examples of those believers who came to grips with the name(s) of God, and learned to live by them, appropriating the Lord Jesus for every need, were the psalmists. Let’s begin with David, in his Psalm 27. He begins his psalm by writing: “The Lord IS my light, and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord IS the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v.1) How could David ever say that the Lord was at every moment, and unceasingly his “ETERNAL Light?” It is because of the name of God, declaring to David who and what He perpetually IS. The consequence of such a light is that it is always present, always available, and will always light the way, show the way, even in the darkest moment. David TAKES this Light by faith, believes in this light, making it his own. He then goes on to write that the Lord is his perpetual salvation, constantly present, and working in his behalf to save, keep, and sustain. David’s attitude of faith can be wholly in the character and nature of God because of the knowledge of His perpetual presence, power, and purpose. If David can commit all that he is, and has to be, to this One who IS for him, and is perfectly willing and able to BE all this to him, then why should he fear man? In essence, David is constantly putting the government of his life on the shoulders of Christ, the sovereign and unchanging God, believing in His love, care, and provision. The last “point of faith,” that specific reason for which David can and chooses to believe God, has to do with strength. The strength and power of God are forever present, never ceasing in their capacity, availability, and operation, for the one who will truly believe, and trust God for them. In light of the revelation of God by His name, what then, and how much, does God truly desire to BE to us?
God told Abraham to BE perfect. Jesus, in essence, told His disciples to BE the same. How can this be, seeing we are imperfect? It has to do with “aims, limits, and possibilities.” Our goal is to be perfect, as our Father in heaven, IS perfect. However, our faith will never be perfect on this earth, as we are being perfected. What then are we to expect, since we have limits? God, by the declaration of His name, reveals to us the enormous possibilities in answer to faith, beyond what we can ask or think.
Dear Father, give us a fresh vision of Who Thou art, what Thy Son has accomplished, and what He desires to BE in and through us every day, and into eternity. Be our light, salvation, and strength, ever-increasingly, as we look unto Thee who changes not. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad