The God Who Is Always There
“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.’ ””(Ex. 3:14 NIV11)
Moses has been shepherding in Midian, found a wife, and is quietly going about his business when he sees something extraordinary. The famous account of the burning bush grabs my attention for a number of reasons.
Firstly, God draws Moses in. He could have just yelled at him from the sky. He could have dropped some stone tablets in front of the sheep. Instead God intrigues him.
Moses moves forward.
On moving towards God he then receives the next bit of the revelation. God calls to him – presumably audibly. When He calls, God doesn’t say, “Hey you, mortal one.” Or, “Hey shepherd.” No. It’s an address by name;“When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”” (Ex. 3:4 NIV11)
Intriguingly God knows Moses by name. He addresses him as other humans would. God is profoundly intriguing and profoundly personal.
Next Moses finds that despite God drawing him close, and God knowing him, in order to know God he must understand something more of His nature.
““Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”” (Ex. 3:5 NIV11)
The God who draws near, and speaks directly, is also Holy. He can’t be approached lazily. God desires honour and respect. Shoes off.
With all this clear God reveals His plans and His name to Moses. God will rescue His people and bring them to the promised land. We recall Abraham’s promises yet again. God is the God of Moses’s fathers. He has not forgotten them. He has not abandoned them.
When pressed for a name God replies from the burning bush with those famous words, “I AM WHO I AM.” The real and true God ‘is’. Now. In the past. In the future. He is eternal and He is present.
A God without form. A God without idols. A God with a person, a promise, and a plan.
Dear God, forgive me when I try to make you into the shape that I want You to be. Forgive me when I neglect to let how You reveal Yourself to me through Your Word. Help me to find comfort in Your desire to be known and in the way You know me. I’m thankful that we know our approach to You is guaranteed by Jesus who allows us to walk boldly into Your presence because He has made us holy.
Amen.
Stuart.
