“I AM THAT I AM”
God commanded Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt in order to deliver them from the slavery of Pharaoh and Egyptians. Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” God said, “Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain”. Even after God had assured His abiding presence and gave Moses His wonderful and irrevocable promise that he would make him serve God on that mountain, Moses did not take God at His word. In stead, he looked for some excuse to withdraw from God’s great plan and mission for him on the pretext that the children of Israel would ask him to reveal the Name of the God Who commanded Moses to save them from Pharaoh (Exo.3:9-14). Not only here but also on the subsequent occasion, Moses looked for one excuse or the other to be spared by God. He even took the plea of his being not eloquent and pleaded God to send another person. Upon this, the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses (Exo.4:10-14).
When Moses was hesitant to go to the children of Israel and expressed his fear that they might ask for the revelation of the Name of the God Who gave him such commandment, God said to him, ‘ I AM THAT I AM…Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you”
Like Moses, we are also not taking God at His wonderful promises in the Word. We always doubt His promises and look at our own strength and resources for performing our ministries. We compare ourselves with those speakers who are great orators on the dais, attracting thousands of listeners to their gospel/revival meetings. God does not look for the eloquent people or orators. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty………that no flesh should glory in His presence” (I Cor.1: 27-29).
Are you frightened to go to the people for ministry, nurturing some inferior complexity? Are you afraid of preaching to the people? Are you worried over the paucity of finds for your ministry? Do you have a feeling that God will neither perform miracles in your ministry nor manifest His power during your evangelistic crusade? God reveals His Name to you, as “I AM THAT I AM”. If any person discourages you with his negative words concerning your ministry or questions the operation of the spiritual gifts in your ministry, you should tell him, “I AM has put me into this ministry and sent me to the people”. “I AM THAT I AM” now indwells us through Christ Jesus. Moses was frightened to approach the Mount Sinai for communion with “I AM THAT I AM”. However, under the New Covenant, we have the wonderful privilege of boldly approaching His Throne of Grace and communing with “I AM THAT IAM” through the Blood of Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus in you, and not merely His power or His gifts, would help you to accomplish great things in your life and ministry.
- Job Anbalagan