“I AM WHO I AM.”
That’s how God identified himself to Moses, as he spoke from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).
On the face of it, God’s statement seems rather strange.
I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but doesn’t it sound like a line Lewis Carroll would write for the Mad Hatter, or Dr. Seuss for the cat in the hat?
Moses had asked a legitimate question in response to God’s directive to return to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let the Israelite slaves leave the country (v. 11). On what authority could he tell Pharaoh what to do?
But of course “I AM WHO I AM” was the perfect response. It’s a name that encompasses all the glorious complexities of almighty God.
And true to his word and character, the I AM of omnipotence and wisdom did take care of everything to release his people from Pharaoh’s grip and take them back to the land of their forefathers.
And since God never changes (Malachi 3:6), the same I AM is everything and anything we will ever need (Philippians 4:19), including the following.
Let’s shout these affirmations from our spirits:
The I AM of absolute power and sublime perfection
is our stability and security (1).
The I AM of self-existence and self-sufficiency
is our foundation and competence (2).
The I AM of supreme sovereignty and divine holiness
is our confidence and sanctification (3).
The I AM of firm constancy and unrivaled transcendency
is our inspiration and strength (4).
The I AM of complete wisdom and absolute knowledge
is our counselor and guide (5).
The I AM of abiding faithfulness and assured reliability
is our help and support (6).
The I AM of unfailing love and generous benevolence
is our encourager and comforter (7).
The I AM of enduring patience and exceeding kindness
is our peace and joy (8).
The I AM of deep understanding and gentle compassion
is our defender and reconciliation (9).
The I AM of bountiful mercy and lavish grace
is our Redeemer and Savior (10).
The I AM of righteous integrity and overflowing goodness
is our Shepherd and provider (11).
The I AM of splendorous glory and royal majesty
is our Father and Friend (12).
Listen to his affirming whisper:
“I AM in you, with you, and for you.
When doubt or fear seep into your thoughts, remember who I AM and send those negative thoughts scurrying.
Rest in who I AM; enjoy who I AM— the One who delights to bring all My attributes and blessings to bear upon your life.
Take joy also in the principle of reflection. The more time you spend in My presence, even as you’re involved in other tasks, the more you will reflect Me and My character to others.
As you look to Me, you will be radiant.
And those around you will see who I AM.
(1 Corinthians 3:16; Psalm 23:4; Romans 8:31; Psalm 143:5;
Psalm 145; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 34:5; Matthew 5:16)
Notes:
- Matthew 19:26; Psalm 18:30; Psalm112:7; Proverbs 3:26
- Psalm 90:2; Acts 17:24-25 and Romans 11:36; Psalm 18:31; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
- 1 Chronicles 29:9-11; Isaiah 6:3; Proverbs 3:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11
- James 1:17; Psalm 113:5-6; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 46:1
- Romans 11:33; Job 37:15-16; Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 58:11
- Psalm 33:4; Psalm 121:3; Psalm 33:20; Psalm 18:35
- 1 John 4:8; Psalm 31:19; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 1:3
- 1 Corinthians 13:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Psalm 4:7
- Psalm 103:14, 8; Psalm 138:7; Colossians 1:20-22
- Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 44:22; Isaiah 45:21-22
- Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 25:8; Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 145:9
- Exodus 15:11; Psalm 93:1; 2 Corinthians 6:18; John 15:14
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From the Inside Out 
I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but doesn’t it sound like a line Lewis Carroll would write for the Mad Hatter, or Dr. Seuss for the cat in the hat
love this and oh,so true! great reflection.
Thank you, Jean!
Great insight here, Nancy! I am who I am. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:11, “Christ is all and in all.” God is all. And I just love “doesn’t it sound like a line Lewis Carroll would write for the Mad Hatter, or Dr. Seuss for the cat in the hat?” It really does!! Geat post!
Those few words from Colossians 3:11 could be extrapolated into a large book, I think! Thank you for bringing its simple grandeur to our attention. So glad you loved the Mad Hatter/Cat in the Hat part! 🙂
Hi Nancy,
He is the ever-present right now and forever God.
Love it, Gary
AMEN, Gary!
I love this, Nancy. God’s statement, “I AM,” does seem like a riddle at first but as our understanding grows, it becomes clearer. He’s not like all the other gods of mythology with their man-made names, but the one true God who cannot be named and simply is.
Your post perfectly reflects this and the affirmations are both powerful and comforting. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Lesley. Praise God for his inspiration to meditate one morning on his attributes. It IS indeed an empowering and comforting exercise!
Amen! Good reflections, Leslie.
Thank you Sue. ☺
You are welcome, Lesley.
Great assurances. Very comforting and encouraging.
Thank you, Sue. Praise God you found assurance, comfort, and encouragement here!
He is everything and all that I need to navigate through this life. I pray that as I endeavor to spend more time in the Word others will indeed see Christ in me. You’ve given me much to reflect upon, Nancy. I have an idea. Beginning with the first day of Advent I’m going to take each of these twelve “I AM’s” one at a time, spending two days on each as a devotional tool. There is much to be gleaned from this amazing post.
I’m honored you found a worthy devotional tool here, Cheri. I think I’ll follow your lead and try that myself, although not during Advent. (I’m already in the middle of another study.) Isn’t it wonderful that there’s always more to discover about our amazing God?
It truly IS a wonderful thing discovering more and more about our Father!
Nancy, I tagged you in something today. It is something I was tagged in. I don’t always participate in these things, but sometimes the Lord leads me to do so, because it is for his glory and praise that I do. So, you can read about it here, and you can decide if you want to do this, too: https://runwithit.blog/2019/11/12/one-grateful-person/
Thank you, Sue–I’ll take a look!
Thank you.