My mom has a devotional calendar sitting on her kitchen window sill and when I was visiting her last month one of the days’ devotion spoke about God as I AM. The first time God reveals this name to us is in Exodus 3 when He speaks to Moses out of the burning bush. In the book of John there are seven I AM statements recorded that Jesus used to refer to Himself.

I AM the Bread of Life (6:35,41,48; 5:1)
I AM the Light of the world (8:12)
I AM the Door of the sheep (10:7,9)
I AM the Good Shepherd (10:11,14)
I AM the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6)
I AM the true Vine (15:1,5)

Sermons have been preached and books have been written about each of these titles. Bread, the necessary food for my spiritual life. Light, to guide me each step of the way. Door, the entrance to my eternal life. Good Shepherd to guide and protect me. Resurrection and the Life, He who conquered death that I may live. Way, Truth, and Life…the only way, truth and life. The true Vine, where I must abide if I am to live and produce fruit.

These are all deep and wonderful truths and yet the one that lingers in my heart and offers me such peace and comfort is that He is I AM. In Revelation He is called the One who is and who was and who is to come. Yes, He is the God who was. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all of the saints of old. He loved them, guided them and protected them. He is also the God who will someday come and reign victorious over all. Hallelujah and praise Him for those wonderful truths!

The best part is that He is the God who is! He is I AM, not just I was or I will be….I AM! He is with me, He encompasses me protecting me and hemming me in on all sides. I can hardly contain my absolute glee as I allow that truth to soak into my weary soul. How precious that I am a child of I AM!!