There are many names mentioned in the Bible in reference to the name of God. I think the most powerful one is “I AM”. I tried to research on the internet how many times the words “I AM” is mentioned in the Bible, in relation to the name of God. I came up with people claiming between 400 to 1000 times. I use the Bible Explorer software for my electronic studies, and it has the words used 2295 times in the Bible, of course that is not just used to describe God. It would take a long time to sit and count all of the times it is used in the Bible, more time than I currently have. I think everyone who has studied the Bible will resound it is in the Bible many, many times.
I have been told if something is repeated over and over again it is important, I think that applies in this case. The words” I AM” jump out at me when I hear or read them in relation to God. I feel they jump out of the Bible like they are on fire, say pay attention and realize who I AM.
The first time we see these words appear in this context, is in Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” These words are used several more times in Genesis.
I also like the first time it is used in the sentence, I AM the almighty God in Genesis: “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Genesis 17:1) Several more times in Genesis and throughout the Old Testament, this same theme is repeated and God states, I AM God.
Some could say He was just using I AM in a proper sentence, but I think the repeated theme and context of God using I AM when speaking shows much more of these words. Of course, we see the most popular verse used to show God uses the name I AM for Himself, and that is Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
I feel the glory bumps when I read this verse and get to I AM THAT I AM, wow, the power and meaning of the words. God is saying in these couple words, I have always been, I will always be, and I have created the entire universe and every living creature, including man. I AM is the all powerful God, something we could never even imagine in our human minds.
I like the verse in Exodus 6:7, “And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ” God is saying I AM the Lord your God, and He renewed His promise to His chosen people, I don’t think it is accidental He uses the words I AM, Lord and God all in the same sentence.
After these verses, I could write a very long entry on all of the times I AM is mentioned in the Old Testament, but I will jump ahead to the New Testament and show what I think is such an amazing continuation.
There are so many verses in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to Himself as I AM, that is because He is the I AM, as He and the Father are one. In John 8:58, ” Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” This should not surprise most Christians, but I have found Christians who never realized Jesus has always been and will always be, as He is God, amazing thought.
Our Lord and Saviour then uses the term I AM for Himself in many amazing verses, such as: John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. “; John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”; John 10:9, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”; John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. “; John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”; and John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (Italics added)
There are some times words are used that just seem amazing and show the power of the words, one of these instances is in John 18:4-6, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”
Then we see at the end of the scriptures, in Revelation 22:13, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. ” we see again that the I AM always has been and will always be, and has all the power and might. in a couple further verses we see that in Revelation 22:16, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”, this again shows Jesus and God as one.
We know the I AM came to live among us, teach us, mentor us, be an example for us, and we wrongly accused Him, tortured Him, placed a crown of thorns on His head, placed nails in His hands and feet. We stabbed Him with a spear, mocked Him and ridiculed Him. We know that we are all sinners and Jesus, the great I AM, endured all those things because of our sins and died because of our sins on the cross. He defeated the grave on the third day, and is now at the right hand of God making intercession for us sinners.
The great I AM gave up more than we could ever imagine to come to this earth and die for our sins. After Jesus defeated death, and before ascending to glory He told the disciples: Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
The great I AM has always been with us and always will be with us. John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” I hope when you read the Bible and come across one of the many verses that have the words I AM, referring to our God and Saviour, you take a minute to think about the power and might of our God, and what he did for us that we may be able to spend eternity with him and not parish.
If you do not know the great I AM, please make that choice today and surrender to his power, majesty, might, and Love. In Christ.
The Sword of the Spirit 