I Am…                                                Exodus 3:7-14

 A few weeks ago I was asked why God has different names. At the time the question referred to why even though he’s one God we call him God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

  Depending on who and how I’m interacting with someone determines how I’m thought of; husband, father, friend, brother, pastor. This is how I answered the question; it’s related to the particular way God interacts with us; as our creator, as our savior, or as our teacher.

 Recently I began to look at this more because I don’t think I gave my friend a good enough answer. I found some of the names men have used to refer to God. Elohim, supreme one; it is the most frequently used name for God in scripture, it’s used 2,750 times in the Old Testament. El Shaddai; El, the root of the word for God and Shaddai, commonly interpreted as mighty. El Shaddai, God Almighty. Elohim Chayim; seen in Joshua 3:10 meaning the Living God.

 All these names refer to the person of God. Jim or James refers to me as a person but like I said I can be known by others titles. So what about God?

 Jesus calls god “Abba”; father, our procreator. When we are in need, like Israel in the desert in need of food God is our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord Provider. When we are troubled, pained or in turmoil, God is our Jehovah-Shalom, God our Peace. In my work at the hospital and as a minister I have interacted with those near the end of their lives. I’ve seen people accepting and at peace with it, and some of those have told me they are at peace because God is there. He is there El-Elyon, God the Sovereign.

 When we follow God, make his ways our ways, when we live our lives for him and know he is with us every step of the way he is our Jehovah-Rohi, God our Shepherd.  When people put us down, criticize us and our faith; when we are called worthless, stupid, foolish, it can be depressing and it can affect our lives, it can affect our future because of how it causes us to think of ourselves now. It is then that we need the greater knowledge that we are loved, we are cherished, we are glorified. Hebrews 2:7, “You made (mankind) a little lower than the angels; you crown them with glory and honor.” God is the rock, the fortress that defends us against false claims about us, he is our Jehovah-Nissi, God our Banner.

 Today we are joining with our National Association of Christian Congregational Churches member churches from across the country as well as churches of different denominations and even different faiths in a prayer mission aimed at those suffering from the disease of addiction and those who love them. As I look at my own experience and the loss our family suffered I can say unashamed it was our faith, it was God that got us through the worst tragedy of our life.

 In the past seven years we have talked to many people and I have been asked many times how can I believe God was there that day? At these times telling someone because the Bible tells me so may not be the answer they’re ready to hear. But that is the answer.

 As we read when Moses asked God his name God answered him in verse 14, “I am who I am.” And this is powerful, restorative and relevant.

 God calls himself “I am.” I am…what? And it’s that blank at the end of God’s statement that makes it powerful, makes it restorative and makes God relevant.

 I am God, certainly. I am the creator of all existence, yes.

 I am…I am the one who loves you more than you can comprehend.

 Many suffering with addictions; and this certainly true of our son Jared, feel they are not loved, not by friends, not by family. Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who wants to know how to get into heaven. Jesus tells him to give away all he has. Scripture tells us he walked away not understanding. He didn’t understand because he has the wrong viewpoint, he sees things through the wrong lens.

 Jared and others like him see things through the wrong lens, they see through the lens of their disease; “You don’t love me because you won’t give me money”, “You don’t love me because you keep telling me to get help.” They see judgment, whether real or not, and that causes them to feel a lack of love.

 I am…love.

 The addict needs to know God loves them totally. God loves them no matter how many times they tried to get their disease under control and failed. They need to see that no matter who else is or is not in their life, God is, and he loves them.

 I am…I am your strength.

 Jared told me that he tried but wasn’t strong enough to get along without the drugs. Let God be strong enough. God, let me be strong enough to resist for the next ten minutes, the next half hour.

 For families left behind; God, let me be strong enough to just get out of bed, strong enough to get through the day, strong enough to live my life again.

 I am…I am your future.

 Jared used to say what’s the point I have no future? He didn’t understand that the future he saw through the hazy lens of his disease was not the future God had planned for him. I do not believe it is God’s will or his plan that someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol. I pray that those suffering from this disease or from cancer or from any disease see that their future is in and with God. I pray that their family and friends, may they see God’s future and help their loved ones see it. And for those left behind by a loss, I pray you also see your future, that God has not abandoned you and your prayers. It may not be the future you envisioned but God is there and he will lead you.

 I am your companion.

 Jared thought he was alone. When Isaiah hid, God found him on the mountain. When Jacob fled,   God found him in the desert. Wherever you are God is there, always present, always ready to help.

 I am…I am your savior.

 God says there is nothing you can do that he can’t forgive. God forgives us our weaknesses and our diseases and he never stops nor gives up on us. Psalm 68, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves.”

 I am…I am your hope.

 We must remember that Christian hope is not a desire; I hope the Colts go to the Super Bowl this year. Christian hope is the confidence in what already has happened; Christ lived, Christ died, Christ rose.

 With Jared did I have earthly hope? Yes, I hoped he would get better, would stop using drugs. I got through the worst tragedy I can think of by Christian hope. Jared is with our Lord because Jesus took his addiction to the cross and paid its price.

 Jared had a pain inside that I could not reach and maybe not the way I wanted, but God removed Jared’s disease and made him whole, healthy and happy with him. And we will be together again God promises this right from the cross, Luke 23:43, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

 I don’t know if I answered my young friend’s question, why does God have different names? I guess my answer is still the same, because God is so many things. And of all the names he’s called in the Bible; Elohim, El Shaddai, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rohi; I still think the most powerful is…I am.

 I am, God is all things at once. I am your comfort. When you are feeling the pain of loss, when you’re betrayed by a friend, when you’re scared and uncertain, I am here to hold you, to sooth you, to lift you up and to comfort your broken heart.

 I am your redeemer. When you live with habits or desires that go against God, when sin is ruling your life, when you push God aside, he is still here; and by his power and grace you are glorified, forgiven and redeemed.

 I am your strength. When you are weighed down by problems, when a loss is raw, when disease takes your health, God is a strong right arm to lean on.

 When addiction rules your life, God give me the strength to go five minutes. God help me get through the day. Help me resist for ten minutes. Help me to accept help.

 Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart…” Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you, I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 I am love. Whatever we do, whatever we’re going through, whatever causes us to feel lost and alone; we are loved. We are loved by the creator of all existence, loved so much that he sent his own son to die on the cross for us. Do you think God sent his son to die on the cross for you just to abandon you now?

 You are loved, cherished and wanted; yesterday, today and always. You are loved, cherished and wanted by God. You are never abandoned or alone, God is always with you.

 So once more let us pray that those suffering from addiction, as well as those suffering with disease or depression, use God’s strength to seek help. May their families and friends see God’s future. May those left behind feel God and believe in his promises. And may they all be uplifted and comforted by his mighty and holy right hand.

Amen