Daily devotion – I AM
The Great “I AM”
Exodus 3:13–14
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
As God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses asked what he should tell the elders of Israel when they questioned who had sent him. The name Jehovah had already been known from ancient times, even from the days of Genesis. Moses was really asking, “What kind of God are You? What does Your name reveal about You?”
God answered with one of the greatest revelations in all of Scripture: “I AM WHO I AM.” The name speaks of the eternal, self-existent God — the One who always was, always is, and always will be. He depends on no one and nothing for His existence. He is faithful, unchanging, dependable, and sovereign over all things.
The name Jehovah comes from the Hebrew verb meaning “to be” or “to become.” God is the ever-present One who is everything His people need in every circumstance of life. He is not limited by time, weakness, or uncertainty. The God who called Moses is the same God who rules and reigns today.
Centuries later, Jesus Christ took this divine title upon Himself. In John’s Gospel He declared:
“I am the bread of life” — John 6:35
“I am the light of the world” — John 8:12
“I am the door” — John 10:9
“I am the good shepherd” — John 10:11
“I am the resurrection and the life” — John 11:25
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” — John 14:6
“I am the true vine” — John 15:1
Jesus was declaring that He is God in human flesh — the great “I AM” who came to save sinners and bring eternal life.
The eternal God knew the end from the beginning, and He was able to tell Moses exactly what would happen when he returned to Egypt. The elders of Israel would believe him, and God would deliver His people exactly as He promised.
What a comfort this is for us today. The same great “I AM” watches over you with perfect love and power. He holds your life securely in His hands. He knows your future before you even take your next breath. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. He has gone to prepare a place for all who belong to Him.
Moses met God at a burning bush in the wilderness, but we have been brought to an even greater place of revelation — the Cross of Calvary. There we see the fullness of God’s love displayed through Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our sins so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God.
How blessed Moses was to encounter the living God in the desert. Yet how much greater the blessing we have received through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The great “I AM” is our Saviour, Shepherd, Redeemer, and coming King.
John 8:58
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”