Keys to the Kingdom
The name you’re given at birth is extremely important because you’re stuck with it all your life, and some people actually live up to their name. (Nabal means “fool” and that’s what he was according to the Book of 1 Samuel 25:3.) Back in 1990, we asked our daughter Mariam what she thought we should name her soon-to-be baby brother. She quickly replied, “Moses.” Although that’s a great name, we didn’t think that would be the best choice for our family. So, we compromised and named him Aaron because he was Moses‘ younger brother in the Old Testament.
As you’ll recall, Moses was dragging his feet and pretty-much arguing with God when He spoke to him from the burning bush. God needed Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, but he kept hem-hawing around. Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ’The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ’What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:13, 14 NKJV).
I AM is still I AM. I don’t care how big your box is, you can’t put God in it. It doesn’t matter how big your problem is, God is bigger. Several years ago I finally figured out God’s I AM name. When my Dad died unexpectedly in 2012, I found myself without a father. What a jolt — I needed my Dad! Shortly after that experience I heard in my heart, “I AM your Dad. Whatever you need, I‘m it.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18 CEB). I understood that I had God’s permission to fill in the blank and then He would fill it with Himself.
“Long as I’ve Got King Jesus,” recorded by Brian Free & Assurance, is a song that really preaches to me. A portion of the lyrics describe some of the names of Jesus: “He’s a burden bearer, He’s a heavy-load sharer, He’ll be your bridge over water. He‘ll be your friend when you‘re friendless, He‘ll be your mother when you‘re motherless, He‘ll be your comfort when you‘re lonely. He’s the Lily of the Valley, and the Bright Morning Star, He’s the sweet Rose of Sharon, and the Great I AM.” John the Revelator wrote, “’I am the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end,’ says the Lord God. ‘I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come — the Almighty One‘” (Revelation 1:8 NLT).
Let I AM prove in your own life what He proved for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God didn’t prevent them from being tossed into the fiery furnace, but He sure kept them from being charred. They went through the fire without even smelling like smoked ribs. I AM was walking around in the fire with them! God says, “Listen to me…I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you” (Isaiah 46:3,4 NLT).
The Key: I AM is still I AM so get your pen and fill in the blank. I AM your ___________.
Dear Ms. Tucker–
I understand your point, but you aren’t stuck with your name all your life. Many people have changed their entire names. I still have my first name, and maybe that’s what you are referring to.
But my last name changed when I married. And later at divorce I chose Not to continue his name, and chose a new last name for myself. And one more tiny comment about God’s “I AM” name– (and I’m NOT a Jehovah’s Witness) but it is Jehovah. I also know God–as Jesus called him “Abba”–Father, or more comfortingly, Daddy. I’m glad you have found Him to be a Dad to you.