The Great I AM
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 11:23 (NKJV) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
God has vested us with His authority and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, and we are to speak to certain circumstances by faith rather than cry out to Him for help. However, to do that, we must renew our minds regarding the power of God.
Colossians 1:16 (NKJV) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
The divine Word of God—Jesus—created everything in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible. God reveals Himself through His creation. Out of nothing, God spoke creation into being. This means the same power that holds the universe together is contained in the promises He has given us. God’s Word has creative power and the authority to bring to pass what He has spoken and promised us.
Moses was called by God to deliver His people from their oppression in Egypt. Likewise, God calls us to walk in His will and to faithfully use the gifts and talents He has entrusted to us.
Exodus 3:14 (NKJV). 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.’”
God had to tell Moses who He is because Moses struggled to assure the people that He could deliver them with God’s help. During the burning bush encounter, Moses asked God for a calling card. We usually present our calling card when we meet someone new on a business trip. It gives us an identity, the credibility and the ability to negotiate on behalf of the company, but God simply told Moses to tell the Israelites that ‘I AM has sent me to you.’
This name of God, I AM, is a form of the Hebrew verb “to be”. He expresses His self-existence and the unchanging nature of His character. He transcends the past, the present and the future. He has always been, He is, and He will always be. He is still the GREAT I AM to us today!
The great I AM is the inexhaustible God. He has divine sufficiency. There is endless abundance to meet any circumstances, challenges, demands, and surprises that come out of unforeseen circumstances. This is the assurance God gave Moses: the great I AM was sending him to deliver the Israelites. What an all-encompassing name found in the great I AM! This is also the great assurance and the backing that we have when we “speak to the mountain”!
Reflection: How does knowing that God created and upholds everything by His Word strengthen your faith in His promises?
Sermon Series: The Prayer of Faith
