by Sandra Allen Lovelace @SandraALovelace #WallflowerWomen
Have you noticed God uses various forms of address when He speaks? I have, and I’ll underline a few.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:2*
“I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you.” Isaiah 42:6
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.” Isaiah 43:1-3
“Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’” Isaiah 52:6
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7
[Jesus] “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9
[Jesus] “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies”. John 11:25
Jesus said to him. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Then He said to me. “It is done. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” Revelation 21:6
Are you startled by the variety? Perhaps you read your favorite view of God here … or one you hadn’t noticed before. Ultimately these titles and descriptions flesh out the name God calls Himself.
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you’, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
I AM is the present tense of the verb to be, to exist. As His name, it reveals much about God—ever-existent, ever-present, stable, secure, capable, trustworthy, knowable, …
What does the name I AM express to you?
Thank you for sharing your ideas in Comments.
Still joyfully triumphant,
Sandra
*NASB, unless otherwise noted
I think it’s wonderful. Just as we each wear many hats (mother, daughter, wife, friend, coworker, neighbor, etc.), so does God. He fits where we need Him, and draws us out to see the other facets of Himself. Wonderful post.
Thank you, Milly Jo. I appreciate you! 🙂
Thanks so much for this reminder! I love how God uses tangible objects like “door” and visual images like “shepherd” to help us understand who He is.
I agree. The illustrations enrich my understanding too.
I love how you’ve reminded us of the many names of God/Jesus–it emphasizes His greatness. My favorite is “Light.” The imagery of Jesus bringing light to a dark world is so comforting. Wishing you an awesome 2018!
Thank you, Katherine. May the Lord bless you throughout 2018 too.