Read:
Exodus 3:13-14 “Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you.’”
Think:
Naming a baby is a huge responsibility that many parents face with immense pressure. When choosing a name, parents often research the meaning and consider people they know or admire with that name.
In biblical times, names held great significance as they represented the character and destiny of the person. For example, God changed Abram's name to Abraham because he was destined to be the father of many nations, and Jacob's name was changed to Israel because he struggled with God. Similarly, Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, because he would be a rock of the early church.
In Exodus, Moses asked God about his name and what he should tell the people. God's response, "I am who I am," is a profound revelation of his nature. It is the first and only time that God explains his name. This statement challenges our understanding of personhood as it expresses the totality and intensity of God's being. God is always present and unchanging. His name signifies that he exists, and he will always be present wherever we go, guaranteeing our success. He is not the God we want him to be, but the Lord that he truly is.
Apply:
Is Jesus your Lord? Have you recognized that his presence and person never change?
Pray:
Dear God, I praise you for your unchanging nature. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that is something that I can always rely on. Your love, mercy, and grace are constant, and I am grateful for the consistency of your character. In Jesus' name, Amen.