I Am Who I Am

Q: “Who is God? What do people think God is?”

v Allena K., Akron, OH (Youth with a Mission)

A: My precious daughter, some of my favorite characteristics of God are: He is not fickle. God does exactly what He promises He’ll do (Numbers 23:19). God is awesome, mighty, and shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17).  He will fight on your behalf (Joshua 23:3).

God guides us (even to the end of our lives). He is the One who helps and sustains us. God bears our burdens (Psalms 48:14, 54:4, 68:19). He brings favor, honor, and goodness to those who walk in His ways (Psalms 84: 11-12). God (in the form of Jesus) binds up the grief-stricken, provides freedom for those in (emotional or physical) captivity, and releases prisoners from whatever form of darkness they are in (Isaiah 61:1).

Our God is faithful. He will not allow anyone to be tempted above what they can withstand (I Corinthians 10:13). God is not the author of confusion. He prefers peace. God wants to meet your needs (I Corinthians 14:33, II Corinthians 9:8). He is happy when you do well for others (Hebrews 13:16). When you show love, you are demonstrating one of God’s best qualities (I John 4:7-9).

In Exodus 3, Moses is at Mount Horeb herding his sheep. God gets his attention with a blazing bush (that isn’t burning up).

God is letting Moses know that he has been chosen to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses is questioning the wisdom in God’s choice.

Eventually, Moses gives in to God. (It’s just a matter of time before anyone gives in to the persuasion of the Holy Spirit.) When Moses asks God what the Children of Israel should call Him, God assigns to Himself the name given in Exodus 3:14. (It is also the title for this post.)

Moses eventually comes to recognize that God’s reputation of truthfulness is solid. In both the joys and trials of this world, God is the only solution (and resource) that anyone can count on.

Did you know there are a variety of human opinions on just who God is? Some people see Him as a true Friend that they can confide in at any time (night or day when life requires assistance from a Higher Power).

Others see God as their “life jacket” whenever they are drowning in their own sea of problems. Of course, God hears from these individuals rather infrequently. (They seem to be interested in spiritual matters only when everything in their existence seems to be coming apart at the seams.)

Other people think of God as some kind of magic blessing machine that they can access when they have a special need. People in this last category often believe God works according to their current schedule. (He is mightier than us with His own unique time frame.)

Galatians 6:7(MSG) says, “Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest.” God loved you so much that He gave His only Son to die on a cross for your sins (John 3:16). Regardless of that, God will not allow anyone to make light of His reputation (or what is important to Him).

Depending on what is allowed to occupy your brain space, you will become a godly saint or a perverted sinner. The choice is entirely in your hands. Select wisely because the quality of your life here on the Earth depends on who wins the battle in your mind.