I AM THAT I AM!

(Exodus 3:14) “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM:”

Entrapment a serious predicament to get caught in and yet we all have had no choice in the matter as “there is none righteous no not one”. Sin has ensnared us into slavery and it’s the slavery of Israel that I look to explore this morn. Their story has a wealth of useful information that we can draw sustenance from for our very own lives.

But first let us look at Joseph’s example and learn from it.

Joseph was the man God used to bring a great revival to those of “the promise”. There was a famine in the land and people were desperate to survive, it got so torrid that people were selling off their livestock and land for food as their money was long gone because of a sizzling drought that lasted for seven years. God was with Joseph and had shown him what He was about to do, God prepared him for battle. However, I would remind you that prior to Joseph’s reign as governor of this foreign land, Egypt, he firstly was required by God to serve a prison sentence for a crime he never committed. This verse comes to mind; “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1Peter 3:17-18)

Let us not be hook-winked into doubting our current predicament even if the screws are being tightened, God has a plan, and it is a glorious masterpiece outplaying His command. This is what Joseph had to say to those who had meant him harm, and I will remind you they were his brothers; “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20) 

Talk about from “rags to riches”, one day he was in a prison and then he found himself second in charge to pharaoh in Egypt, the then ruling nation of the world. We must learn to never second guess our God even if we cannot put the puzzle pieces together; our God shall work it out according to His good pleasure. He will get all His children home!

A day came were a new pharaoh began to rule who knew not Joseph. He put all of the Israelites into slavery as jealousy had its need to supress this greater nation. He was a hard task-master and their cries were heard by God. Moses was then summoned by God to free His people. I want us to consider a particular incident that they all faced from the least to the greatest.

Imagine the scene, the promise by Moses from God to all the Israelites that they would be set free with a Promised Land as their final destination. It was hard going as their number was great, woman and children amongst them and then they hit a very large obstacle, the Red Sea. How were they to cross over? Not only that, looking behind them they saw a large cloud of dust approaching at a rapid pace, the Egyptian army were on their way! Life at times takes on a similar appearance for each of us. Sure there are different measures for all, but all will hit obstacles along the way.

It was when there seemed to be no hope that God stepped in, He parted the Red Sea and they all (and I mean all) crossed over on dry land. The enemy thought they could use the exact same means to cross but were very mistaken, they all drowned (and I mean all). God is for His people and not for those who oppose His plan and purpose. Nevertheless both are needed to accomplish His will, He has so ordained it. Praise to our God, the only true God, the God who is, “I AM THAT I AM”!

“Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.” (Jeremiah 42:11) – Come what may our hope is in His promise and we will believe it by the grace of God with all our hearts, come what may let us remember to look to the author and finisher of our faith, our blessed Redeemer will get us home. All we need do alone the way is obey, even if it costs us our life, as it must. We are new creature in Christ, may we begin to live as such.

God give us the resolve to abhor that which is evil and to cling to that which is good.

Signing off

Tyrone