The “I Am” God

I was talking with a man the other day who asked me how many gods there were. While I believe there is only one, true God, I remembered a clever answer someone gave to a similar question. He said, “There are seven billion people in the world. And everyone has a personal god.” I gave him the same answer and concluded with, “There are countless gods."

The ancients worshiped Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, Diana and a host of other named gods. Today, it’s common for people to worship gods that go by different names, like: popularity, financial comfort, and political power. 

So today, I’m going to ask you, “What is the name of the God, or god, you worship?” That was Moses’ question, “What is Your name?”  — [ a loose translation of Exodus 3.13]. 

“I AM WHO I AM … the God of your ancestors — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — … that’s the name to remember for all generations” [3.14-15].

The “I AM” God! He has no limitations. He is not dependent on anything or anyone. He simply exists as the Greater and Sustainer of everything. 

Wherever “I AM” is, its a holy place. Dirt is holy if “I AM” is there. “I AM” said to Moses, “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground” [Exodus 3.5].  The Psalmist was right, “Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before His feet, for He is holy” [Psalm 99.5].

Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3.5

God is Eternal

God is eternal. Frankly, that’s difficult to grasp. “Nothing lasts forever,” my Dad used to say. And he was right except for one thing, or I should say, Someone — God is forever!

Think about it. There is One today who saw what it was like before anything came into existence, who talked with Adam and Eve, who watched over the Children of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea, who was present at the crucifixion of Christ, who watched as Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in 1517, who witnessed the Constitutional Convention in 1787, who saw the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, and who watches over each of us this very minute.

God! God is eternal. He predates time and will exist long after time has died out; He had no beginning and will have no ending. Not only that, but He has always existed as God. That’s right, He didn’t climb His way to the top or earn His exalted position by any means. He is God — always and forever, God! 

As I have gotten older, the eternality of God has become more precious to me. He’s with me. And it comforts me to know that when my children and grandchildren and their children’s children grow old (should the Lord tarry), He will be with them too. 

It strengthens my faith to know and trust a God who is eternally God … from everlasting to everlasting!

From everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90.2

God is Powerful

Power comes from God, plain and simple. He alone is autonomous, self-sufficient. That’s what theologians call omnipotence — all powerful.

I can’t begin to tell you the comfort that is to me because I face countless challenges that are far above my ability to overcome. I have come to realize that I cannot thrive, much less survive, without God’s great strength. And, frankly, when I’ve tried other sources of renewal, they have eventually failed. But not God’s. His strength is everlasting [Isaiah 26.4]. How great is His omnipotence!

This very source of power is given to each of us to disciple the nations. “All power is given to Me,” Jesus said, “Go, therefore and make disciples, baptize them, teach them all I have commanded you” [Matthew 28.18-20].

Don’t hesitate. Rest in the mighty strength of God. GO!

God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power belongs to God. Psalm 62.11

God is Sovereign

“God is Sovereign” is just another way to say, “God is God.” My mentor/pastor, Dr. Richard Strauss, had this working definition of sovereignty: “God is highest and best, and does what He pleases in heaven and earth.” God is sovereign, working His will and accomplishing His purposes as He pleases. 

One great statement about the sovereignty of God came from the pen of Paul to the Corinthian Christ followers. He wrote that Christ will put “an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” [1 Corinthians 15.24-25]. Every second of time from Christ’s ascension [Acts 1.11] to His triumphant return [Revelation 19.6-7a] is in this verse. 

Christ reigns now. He rules over every sinful action, every evil purpose, every dark deed, and every wicked world leader. There is no person, no President, no dictator, no Prime Minister, no Ayatollah, no movement, no government, that can derail His perfect reign. “He must reign,” Paul said. 

  

And when His reign is finally consummated, it will mean the defeat of every aspect of this sinful world, not the least of which is the last enemy, death [1 Corinthians 15.26]. No part of this sin-cursed world will be left untouched. All will be made new. 

That is really good news. From start to finish, from this moment throughout all eternity, God is sovereign.

Our God is in heaven doing whatever He wants to do. Psalm 115.3 [The MESSAGE Paraphrase]

God Knows Everything

God knows everything. That is called omniscience. By definition, nothing in the past, nothing in the present, and nothing in the future is hidden from Him. Not a single word spoken in secret, not a single private thought, not any deed accomplished in the darkness of night is unknown to Him. That can be convicting or comforting, depending on your relationship with Him. There is no hiding from an omniscient God!

Speaking about comfort, isn’t it great that our omniscient God knows what we need even before we pray [Matthew 6.8]?

He knows the strengths and weaknesses of our bodies and will never let us suffer more than we can handle [Psalm 103.14; Hebrews 13.10].

He even knows the way we take so that nothing comes into our lives except what is for our good [Job 23.10; Romans 8.28].

How cool is that!

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4.13

God is Faithful

Everywhere you look in Scripture, you’ll find it jam-packed with statements about the faithfulness of God. We live in a time when faithfulness is not necessarily a desired quality so, it’s reassuring to read so many passages about His faithfulness. 

I want to use as a working definition of faithful: “worthy of trust.” Have you found this true of God? Hasn’t He repeatedly proven His word to be true and trustworthy? After all, He is incapable of lying, therefore, any truth claim or promise will be kept. Just be prepared to work on His timetable and not your own.

The outlook is bright because God is faithful. Nothing can separate you from His love [see Romans 8.35-39]. He’s working on you, keeping you safe until we see Him face to face [see Philippians 1.6].

Now would be a good time to lift your voice and sing with me:

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Lord unto me

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Psalm 89.2

God is Good

God is good. Please notice that I didn’t put an adverb in front of His goodness. I didn’t say God is occasionally. good or God is partially good. No! Plain and simple, God is good. Goodness is part of God’s character (attributes) and there is not even the slightest imperfection about it.  

God’s goodness is not limited to an internal quality. It extends to all that He does. Everything He does is good. Whether it’s creating a “good” world, or working all things together for “good,” or the sanctifying work He does according to His “good” pleasure, God is good! 

Now comes the big question: What should our response be, as creatures of such a good God? 

Here’s one thing the Psalmist pointed to, “O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness” [107.8]. The Psalmist was right, our worship is a reasonable response to the goodness of God.

Furthermore, we should pray to our good God for guidance as the Psalmist did, “Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes.” 

Say it with me, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.” Do you really admire the goodness of God? If so, your heart’s desire will be to learn and emulate His ways in all you do.

Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes. Psalm 119.68