5月5日

標　　題：我是

經　　節：神對摩西說：「我是自有永有的」；又說：「你要對以色列人這樣說：『那自有的打發我到你們這裡來。』」（出埃及記三章14節）

當摩西在燃燒的荊棘前面遇見神的時候，他還有許多地方需要更認識主。他眼前的神跡令他驚歎不已（出埃及記三：3）。然而，帶領以色列人掙脫當代最強盛的國家──埃及──的俘虜，其困難度可是比行燃燒荊棘的神跡要困難得多。那位使荊棘燃燒卻不燒毀的神，是否有足夠的能力拯救這麼一大批群眾呢？

神的答案是：「我是。」也就是：「摩西，我能提供你所有的需要，好完成我給你的任務。倘若你需要神跡使法老王信服，我就會以神跡來彰顯我自己。倘若你要我中斷大自然的規律，分開紅海，我就如此行，來證明我自己。倘若你需要食物與水，我就是你的供應者。倘若你害怕，我就是你的力量。」

在摩西與神同行之初，摩西對自己需要神做什麼，一點也沒有概念。但每回摩西有需要，他對神就有新的認識。摩西漸漸地瞭解，神的能力比起行荊棘燃燒卻不燒毀神跡的能力，要強得多。要是當初摩西被燃燒荊棘的神跡給迷住，在那個地方創建聖殿，叫「燃燒荊棘教會」，他將失去許多經歷神的機會！回想第一次與神同行時對祂的認識，如今你的經歷是否擴展你對祂的認識？

I AM

And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " (Exodus 3:14)

When Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he still had much to learn about his Lord. Moses was impressed with the miracle before him (Exod. 3:3). However, it would take much more than a burning bush to lead Israel out of captivity from the most powerful nation of Moses’ day. Would the same God who could cause a bush to burn without being consumed also be able to do what was necessary to deliver a multitude?

God’s answer was, “I AM!” That is, “Moses, I’ll be whatever you need Me to be as you carry out my assignment. If you need miraculous signs in order to convince Pharaoh, then that is how I will express Myself. If you need Me to interrupt nature and part the waters of the Red Sea, then I will demonstrate Myself in that way. If you require food and water, then I will be your provider. If you are afraid, I’ll be your strength.”

At the beginning of Moses’ walk with the Lord, Moses had no idea all that he would need God to do for him. Yet each time Moses faced a need, He learned something new about God. Moses came to realize that there was much more to God than a burning bush. What if Moses was so enamored with his experience at the bush that he built a tabernacle on the spot and established “The Church of the Burning Bush”? He would have missed out on so much more that God wanted to reveal to him! Think back to your understanding of God when you first began walking with Him. How have your experiences expanded your knowledge of Him?