November 1st, 2025
by Dr. Ron Harvey
by Dr. Ron Harvey
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God.”
These words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning are a reference to the burning bush experience of Moses. You will recall that Moses was tending sheep in the desert of Midian when he noticed a burning bush and approached it curiously. The ordinary suddenly became extraordinary! Here, God spoke to him and called him to return to Egypt and declare God’s message to the Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” But, of course, Moses was unsure of himself, as to whether he was up to the challenge. He said, “Who am I?” Implying that he was not worthy of such a challenge. (I suppose we all can relate to that). Moses was also uncertain as to who God is. He said, “I wouldn’t even know who to say is the Name of the One sending this message…” God answered, “I Am – this is what you are to say…I Am has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:11-14).
It is interesting to me that God introduced Himself to Moses (and the world) by using the Hebrew “I am” verb. In the Hebrew language, you do not have tenses as we do in English. What God is saying, “I Am the God who has always been here, am here to stay, and always will be here.” He is saying, “I Am the true God who always exists—the eternal God.” Of course, Moses discovered that God, known as I Am, is greater than any challenges that Moses faced.
In our series MEET JESUS, from the Gospel of John, I have pointed out that Jesus used “I Am” frequently to describe Himself. He used the Greek equivalent (ego eime) of the Old Testament word meaning “I Am.” For example, when Jesus came walking up to the disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee and they were frightened, He said, “It is I, don’t be afraid” (John 6:20). As I mentioned Sunday, the words are literally, “I Am, don’t be afraid.” Jesus came to them and calmed the storm (and their fears). He proved to be more than adequate for their storm!
Here is a sampling of “I Am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John—
“I Am the bread of life” (John 6:35).
“I Am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
“I Am the gate for the sheep” (John 10:7, 9).
“I Am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14).
“I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
“I Am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).
What can we learn from all this? Jesus is greater than your problems. More than adequate—He is! Jesus can satisfy every longing of your heart & meet every need in your life. That is Jesus – Savior and Lord! He is the Great “I Am” – Trust Him!
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
And every common bush afire with God.”
These words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning are a reference to the burning bush experience of Moses. You will recall that Moses was tending sheep in the desert of Midian when he noticed a burning bush and approached it curiously. The ordinary suddenly became extraordinary! Here, God spoke to him and called him to return to Egypt and declare God’s message to the Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” But, of course, Moses was unsure of himself, as to whether he was up to the challenge. He said, “Who am I?” Implying that he was not worthy of such a challenge. (I suppose we all can relate to that). Moses was also uncertain as to who God is. He said, “I wouldn’t even know who to say is the Name of the One sending this message…” God answered, “I Am – this is what you are to say…I Am has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:11-14).
It is interesting to me that God introduced Himself to Moses (and the world) by using the Hebrew “I am” verb. In the Hebrew language, you do not have tenses as we do in English. What God is saying, “I Am the God who has always been here, am here to stay, and always will be here.” He is saying, “I Am the true God who always exists—the eternal God.” Of course, Moses discovered that God, known as I Am, is greater than any challenges that Moses faced.
In our series MEET JESUS, from the Gospel of John, I have pointed out that Jesus used “I Am” frequently to describe Himself. He used the Greek equivalent (ego eime) of the Old Testament word meaning “I Am.” For example, when Jesus came walking up to the disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee and they were frightened, He said, “It is I, don’t be afraid” (John 6:20). As I mentioned Sunday, the words are literally, “I Am, don’t be afraid.” Jesus came to them and calmed the storm (and their fears). He proved to be more than adequate for their storm!
Here is a sampling of “I Am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John—
“I Am the bread of life” (John 6:35).
“I Am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
“I Am the gate for the sheep” (John 10:7, 9).
“I Am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14).
“I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
“I Am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).
What can we learn from all this? Jesus is greater than your problems. More than adequate—He is! Jesus can satisfy every longing of your heart & meet every need in your life. That is Jesus – Savior and Lord! He is the Great “I Am” – Trust Him!
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
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