God is the Great I AM
I AM: God absolutely is.
The attributes of God reveal His character and we see that all that He is is good. But really comprehending who He is seems beyond human possibility. Yet the more we know and understand about God, the greater is our faith and trust in Him. Recently I heard a statement that was so simple yet so profound. The statement was this: “Everything exists before Science discovers it.”
All too often it seems that mankind takes credit for the discovery of the things that God has already put in place. Those who “discover” are given awards and accolades when in fact the credit goes to the creator of all things. When we refer to God as the Great I AM, we use the name He gave to Moses when at the burning bush Moses asked, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM who I AM Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:13-14 (NLT).
Why did God respond in this way? Perhaps it is because God cannot be defined by one name or by any list of descriptions. God is who He is. God’s greatness cannot be defined. God is the Great I AM.
(The following notes in bold are from a John Piper devotional.)
God has no beginning and no end. He simply is. God existed before creation.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
God is constant. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He cannot be improved. He is not becoming anything. He is who he is.
Psalm 102:25-28 (NLT) Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.
God is utterly independent. He depends on nothing to bring him into being or support him or counsel him or make him what he is.
Romans 11:34-36 (ESV) For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
All the universe is by comparison to God as nothing. As an echo to a thunderclap. All that we are amazed by in the world and in the galaxies, is, compared to God, as nothing.
Isaiah 40:12-15 (NLT) Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.
God is the most important and most valuable reality and person in the universe. He is more worthy of interest and attention and admiration and enjoyment than all other realities, including the entire universe.
1 Chronicles 16:24-26 (NLT) Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
May the way you live always honor and please the Lord, and may your life produce every kind of good fruit. All the while may you grow in faith and learn to know God better and better. Colossians 1:10 (NLT)
I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Psalm 145:2-4
Yes, no one can outdo our God. Nothing is new under the sun.
Thank you for the reminder. There is no other name like the name of Jesus!