Who Do You Say He Is?: Part 1

Exodus 3:13-14 English Standard Version (ESV)
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”[a] And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

In the story found in Exodus 3, God spoke to Moses and commissioned him to save his people from Egypt. When Moses asked God whom he should say sent him, God replied, “I am who I am”. This reply led me to ponder the sufficiency and all-powerful nature of God. It caused me to reflect on every role God has assumed in my life. We need to do this daily. Being aware of God at work in our lives keeps things in perspective. It breeds humility and gratitude. It helps us understand how much we need Him. However, the different seasons we find ourselves in often influence our experiences with God.

Primarily, God’s fatherly identity lies in Him being Abba. Jesus always referred to the paternal nature of God. I think the paternity of God is the core of who He is and the other aspects of His nature radiate from it. The fact that God adopted us and grafted us into His family establishes His divine paternity. I am filled with joy when I think about this.

Secondly, God is also the God Who Provides, Yahweh Jireh. He supplies our every physical need and takes care of us. I can remember times in my life when I wasn’t sure how I would make it but God has always made a way. Have you ever had a need and God stepped in? If he can feed the birds of the air and provide manna from Heaven, surely He will take care of us, His children.

One of the earliest, most personal demonstrations of God in my life has been Yahweh Rapha, the God who Heals. I can remember getting consecutive hip surgeries twice and God healing me. His healing work in my life not only blessed me but my family and friends are still in awe of how God raised me up. I’ve even witnessed God raise a loved one from their death bed. He not only heals the natural body but He also heals the spirit. Over the years, I can remember God healing my broken heart and my mind. He is Rapha; our Healer indeed.

Another aspect of the nature of God I’ve experienced is Yahweh Nissi, God my banner. I’ve faced many battles in my life and God has given me the victory. I used to fight my battles alone. I didn’t realize that trying to fight in my own might would only lead to defeat. In Exodus 17, the children of Isreal won the battle against the Amalekites because they trusted the Lord and allowed Him to intervene on their behalf. We are more than conquerors when Yahweh Nissi fights for us and becomes our victory banner. It becomes evident that God led us through the battle. Don’t you want to come out of battle waving the banner that bears His name?

Friends, I ask,” What do you need Him to be? Who do you say He is?” Let your Father know what you need. Call on the “I am” and let Him be everything you need Him to be. Then, you can boldly declare that “He is”.