July 17, 2014
Something I have been contemplating of late is the difference between "I am" & "I do". As you all, I'm sure, have heard before, we are not "human doings" but rather, "human beings". I can put out a fire, but that doesn't mean I'm a fireman. I can prepare a meal, but that doesn't mean I'm a chef. Those are just things I do. I may act in a certain manner, but that doesn't mean that's who I am.
I see two applications regarding this subject: what it means to be a Christian and what it means that God is the Great I AM. I will tackle the former in another blog. For now, let me elaborate on the LORD, the Great I AM.
In Exodus, God speaks to Moses and tells him to say, "The I AM sent me." Have you ever heard anyone talk about what that really means? I haven't. But lately, God has been revealing Himself to me as the Great I AM.
The first thing I've been mulling over is that He IS my guide. It's not just something He does, it is Who He is. He cannot stop being my guide, it is part of His unchanging character. He will always guide me, because it is who He is, not just something He does. It is part of His "I Am"-ness, His BEING. In contrast, consider human guides. If you go on a vacation & pay for a tour guide, that person you hire shows you around temporarily & tells you about the sites you are seeing. Unlike our Heavenly Father, they act as your guide for a specific amount of time for which you have paid him or her. They may be great at their job, but when the time is up, that's it. They are no longer your guide. It is just something they do.
This morning, as I was thinking about my schedule and feeling rather overwhelmed, the first part of the 23rd Psalm came to my mind. "The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in lack. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." He IS my Shepherd. That is part of His nature. It is Who He IS, not just something He does from time to time when I ask Him to. It is Who He always IS, the unchanging, Great I AM. And what does that look like? That means, because He is my Shepherd, I will never lack. He will always take care of me. Always. That's because it is Who He is. That means He will always provide for my needs physically, emotionally & spiritually. That means He will always guide & correct my way with His rod, & with His staff, pull me out of the messes I get myself into. And that will never change. He will ALWAYS act in that manner because it is Who He is, not just something He does. That's truly comforting.
Thank You, LORD, for letting us know You are the Great "I AM". Thank You, thank You, thank You!
