THE GREAT "I WILL BE"
Pop quiz. What’s the shortest, simplest sentence in the English language? (Text language doesn’t count). The answer is: “I am.” It can’t get any more basic. “I am.” It’s also the most powerful statement ever uttered, because those two simple words form the name of God. In Exodus 3, when God called Moses, he identified himself as “I AM” (v.14). “Yahweh” in Hebrew. The Self-Existent, All-Sufficient One.
He is the Great I AM. Not the great I Was, or Will Be. He’s not limited by time or space. Past, present, and future have no framework in his nature. Without beginning or end (Psalm 90:2), he views everything simultaneously. Isaiah 46:9-10 states, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning” (ESV). Before something ever occurs, God has already finished it! Don’t know about you, but that’s way beyond the scope of my finite mind.
When we really get this, everything changes in our lives. We can surrender our past and future fears to God (which are pretty much all of them). That’s not where God exists. He’s not the Great I Was or I Will Be.”
When Linda was first diagnosed with cancer, fears flooded my heart like an overflowing river. Will she recover? How will I go on if she doesn’t? As I poured out my heart to God, among other truths, the Lord constantly comforted me with this thought: “I’m the Great I Am. I will meet you in this moment with exactly what you need, and I will continue each moment in the future.”
In Lamentations 3:22-23, Jeremiah observed, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (ESV). As we begin each day, God dishes out a fresh batch of mercy. Like spiritual manna it’s enough to get us through the day. Not tomorrow, but today. Because God is the great I AM.
I find comfort in knowing that in God’s construct, my problems are already solved. He’s just waiting for me to catch up. I can rest in the present moment, maneuvering my way toward God’s best future for me. Whatever you’re going through, God is the Great I AM, comforting us each moment. He’s infinitely more than who we think he is … and we can peacefully surrender our lives to him as the Great I AM.
Principle: Because God is the Great I AM, we don’t need to fear the past or future.
Ponder:
When has God demonstrated himself to you as the Great I AM?
How does knowing his nature help you as you face struggles?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Isaiah 46.
Almighty God, I’m incapable of grasping your nature, and how you work in my life. Help me live in continual connection with you, as the Great I AM.
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