September 24th

Our Father

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.' Then the Jews said to Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.' Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:56-59

Have you ever wondered what God's name says about Him? If not, then you should, because His name says quite a lot about Him.

In fact, take another look at our verses today to see just how seriously the Jews took God's name. When Jesus used it about Himself, they picked up stones to kill Him, flying into a religious, zealous rage.

God's name-I AM-is important, but not just that we are passionate about His name being treated properly. What's much more important about God's name is that we understand what He reveals about Himself in it.

First, His name shows that He exists. It really settles that whole issue altogether. He is. Period. And there's nothing anyone can do about it. You cannot make God not exist. You can't make Him go away. He is.

Second, He's self-contained. He isn't dependent or indebted to anyone. No one created Him, so that He should answer to them. No one gave Him anything that He hadn't first given to them, that He would owe anyone anything. He has no need. In fact, He has everything we need.

Third, He doesn't change. You know, a lot changes in our world, but God never does. His love doesn't waver when we do things we shouldn't. His commitment to us doesn't change depending on His mood. He simply is who He is, and He never changes.

Fourth, He isn't going anywhere. This means we can trust Him. Listen, don't trust your stocks, your bank account, your job, your looks, or your popularity. All of those things can go away. But nothing is going to move God.

Fifth, His name proves His sacrificial love. Jesus shows us this when He says, Hey, guess what? You know that God you claim to serve? I'm Him. I am the I AM. And what Jesus showed us about the I AM is that He is a God who sacrificed His very life so that we could live. You can't find bigger love than that.

Won't you call on this name of God today?

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You for what You have revealed to us about Yourself in Your name! Thank You that You will always be there for me with Your sacrificial love! Please help me to reveal You to others as You have revealed Yourself to me.

Amen