April 25, 2023 – Reflections on “I Am The Lord!”
“So, you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 22:31-33.
In Leviticus 22, this phrase, I am the Lord, is repeated nine times. I listened to the reading on TheGospelCoalition.org to this chapter. The repetition of this phrase soon touched my heart with this question: Do I truly live these words, motivating my every thought, conversation, and action?
God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name, the Lord, I did not make myself known to them. Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Exodus 6:2-3, 6-7.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you and may multiply you greatly.” Genesis 17:1-2. Although Abraham was old and childless, he believed and followed God. He heard it just once and believed. His life was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his one and son. Just as our faith is tested.
Later, God spoke to Moses, God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD, I did not make myself known to them. Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Exodus 6:2-3, 6-7.
Moses, who grew up as Pharaoh’s daughter’s son, was appointed by God to lead the Israelites from captivity as slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them. Exodus 7:4-5.
Do we follow God with awe? Who is the Lord God? He surrounds us with His wondrous creation, filling us with wonder. The Lord gave us the ten commandments on tablets of stone on Mount Sinai. Then came Jesus Christ in the fullness of time, through the Mary’s virgin birth. The verse that tells us who He is with this command, But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16. Being Holy is to be set apart for a purpose.
And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us God has put eternity in man’s heart. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it so that people fear before Him. That which is, already has been that which is to be, already has been and God seeks what has been driven away. Ecclesiastes 3:14-15.
By following His Commands with the discipline when the Holy Spirit lives within our hearts, we are transformed: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2.
Every teaching and miracle Jesus did on earth brings us closer to creating love and adoration on our part for the redemption from our Lord God offers through His One and Only Son. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Psalm 143:5-6.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31. Glorifying God in whatever we do gives us joy that continues forever.
This is the first part of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Mathew 6:10-16. It is a like a prayer within a prayer.
Then we wonder, whose will is supreme in my life? Is it our will or is it God’s way? If we are to be like Jesus, will we say what He said before His crucifixion? And going a little farther, He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39.
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17.