We are the "I am not."

“Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.” (Isaiah 41:4 ESV)

In these trying times, the world can easily overwhelm us. Many find themselves struggling financially, many lose their employment, and health issues can arise at any time, often compounded by these stresses. Much is going on in the world that causes us to be uneasy about the future.

This verse from Isaiah 43:4 reminds us of God’s sovereignty, power, and strength. It also reminds us of the devotion and protection those in Christ find in God’s steadfast love. The concept of God's sovereignty should bring us a sense of security, knowing that He is in control and His plans are for our good.

Here, Isaiah speaks the words of God, and God reminds us He is the great “I AM.” I want to focus on these words for a minute. This phrase is found in the Septuagint, the Greek translation, and in Greek, it is ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi). Egō is the Greek pronoun denoting first person singular, emphasizing the “I” or “me” role of the speaker. (Strong’s 1473). Eimi, in the Greek, means to exist more specifically, “to be.” It is a fundamental Greek verb denoting presence, existence, and identity. Jesus made the most significant use of this phrase in His confrontation with the Pharisees, during which He essentially told them He was God (John 8:12-30). This confrontation led directly to Golgatha (Calvary).

God also uses it in the Old Testament to describe Himself. Most famously, in Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” This phrase also has shades of Job where God reminds Job of His eternal glory, in God’s “Where were you?” reprimand of Job, God’s way of saying “I am” to him (48:4-7).

The point is this. God is there in all our trials and troubles; the “I am” is with us; He is in us. This constant presence of God in our lives, especially during difficult times, is a source of great comfort. God is eternal, and He is sovereign. God is the first and last. He has designed creation, laid the cornerstone of the universe, and formed you with great individual detail. God has authored your life. Your biography was written before time and is unveiled to you each day until you reach the final chapter. Along the way, you will come to know God or reject Him. Only God knows who is His.

God’s plans are never thwarted. The troubles of the world, our worries, and strife are already considered and handled by God. Even though our free will may land us in trouble with God, those who have placed their faith in Christ are forgiven of all transgressions against God. We may deal poorly with others, hurt them, and betray them, but our sins, all of them, are against an all-holy God.

Given that God has held the identity of His elect to Himself. We give this message to all of you every day, hoping that a seed we planted will be watered and bloom into faith by the grace of realizing the existence of the great “I AM.” We are but a vapor on this earth; seek Christ as your Savior before the vapor is no longer a mist and has been blown away by the winds.

Life is short; do not wait. The urgency of this message should motivate us to seek Christ and His salvation without delay.

Grace and Peace.