Psalms 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
In Exodus 3 Moses witnesses a burning bush on Horeb, the mountain of God. The bush is on fire, but it didn’t burn up. The Angel of the Lord calls out to Moses from the midst of the bush. He reveals Himself as the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” He then commissions Moses to go and bring His children out of Egyptian bondage and lead them into the Promised Land, which was their covenant inheritance.
In Exodus 3:10 Moses said to the Lord, “Who am I that I should go and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” We are no different than Moses. When God asks us to do something we find excuses and remind the Lord of our own inadequacies. In Exodus 3:12 the Lord makes this promise, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Then Moses asked, “When I go to the children of Israel and say, ‘The God of your father has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, what is His name?’ what shall I say to them.” The Lord instructs Moses to tell them, “I AM WHO I AM.” Tell them “I AM has sent me to you.”
This was the first time God revealed Himself as Jehovah, the great I AM. This name proclaims God as self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, and sovereign. He is not the great I was, or the great I will be, but He is the great I AM. This is the covenant name of God. Throughout the Old Testament we are introduced to different aspects of who God is through the revelation of His name:
• In Genesis 22:14, He is Jehovah Jireh meaning the Lord will provide.
• In Exodus 15:26, He is Jehovah Rapha meaning the Lord who Heals.
• In Exodus 17:26, He is Jehovah Nissi meaning the Lord is my Banner.
• In Judges 6:24, He is Jehovah Shalom meaning the Lord is my peace.
• In Leviticus 20:7-8, He is Jehovah M’Kaddesh meaning the God who sanctifies.
The Lord is the Great I AM. In Psalms 46:10 we have the promise that He is a very present help in trouble. He promises, “I AM present.” The God we serve is not distant. He is not far removed. He is not unconcerned about our circumstances. Psalms 145:17 says, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.”
We can be encouraged today because the Lord speaks very clearly to us, “I AM present.”
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