journey onWord with us

Picture yourself crammed into a tight space with over 107,000 people, most of whom were not happy with your choice of teams. They were living in a world of white and for some reason you preferred scarlet and gray. They were over the top about their cause, and you simply had different feelings. When they were ready to rumble, you had to let silence be your friend. The seats in this sea of white were built for miniature versions of most adults, and a bathroom break was, well …. out of the question.  Paying to park in this hostile sea of white was $40, but for some reason you wanted to experience the thrill of victory. That was yesterday for my wife and me … and our team won!  We have all felt like an outsider at someone else’s party, and to say the least, it’s a bit awkward.  Can you imagine the internal turmoil Moses must have faced when God chose him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt? Talk about a hostile environment!

It is my firm conviction that if you and I had been confronted with the challenge God laid out for Moses, our responses would have been similar, if not worse.  I can only imagine the mental excuses setting up residence in his mind. Having been confronted with a burning bush and a great command, it probably shook him to the core. If you are a Christ-follower, there have most assuredly been times when you felt the will of God being in conflict with your will. Confronted with that conflict, you (and I) like Moses, would probably begin to create reasons (excuses) challenging God’s plan.

The story is familiar, and even those who are not really focused on the will of God know the scene.  God telling Moses that He was sending him to Pharaoh to demand freedom for his people. Moses questions his ability to lead the people with these words … Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? (Exodus 3:11)  As their dialogue continued, God made a great declaration in response to Moses’ trepidation.  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. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13-14) 

It was not about who Moses was, but Who was with Moses. As you and I face the challenges of life, it is critical to know the I AM.  In Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines of the Old Testament, Warren Wiersbe captures the depth of God’s response to Moses with these words – God revealed His name, Jehovah—“I AM WHO I AM” or “I was, I am, I always will be!” Can you accept that what really is important in your life is not who you are, but Who is with you?  Whatever you are facing right now needs to be filtered through your confidence in the I AM. The very same God who led Moses, is up to the challenges of your life!

Years ago my wife gave me a poem by Helen Mallicoat that helps me (and I hope you) reflect on the I AM. I trust it will help you also.

I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“My name is I AM”. He paused. I waited. He continued,
When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard.
I am not there. My name is not “I Was”.
When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard.
I am not there. My name is not “I Will Be”.
When you live in the moment, it is not hard.
I am here. “My name is I AM”.

If you are in Christ, accept that your challenges are not about you, but about Who is with you. His name is I AM. And if you aren’t sure that Christ is your Savior, or you would simply like to know Who this I AM is, contact us!  Don’t let your “will be” become your “was” without knowing Who he is.