JEHOVAH: I AM

The word "I" is a personal pronoun, indicating the person speaking when referring to oneself. In psychology, it is defined as the conscious part of the personality that controls behavior; philosophy defines it as the individual as a thinking being in opposition to the external world.

The first thing to identify is that, by using a personal pronoun, God reveals Himself as a person. He is not a force, light, wind, energy, or anything a product of human imagination. He identifies Himself as an individual, and accordingly, we can say that God has a body [celestial, 1 Colossians 15:40], emotions [love, 1 John 4:8, and anger, Numbers 12:9 as examples], and thoughts (Jeremiah 29:8). Additionally, the pronoun "I" has a peculiarity: it identifies the one performing the action mentioned in the sentence. In this case, "I" is accompanied by a conjugation of the verb "to be," which can be conjugated in the following ways: am (present tense), was (simple past), will be (future absolute or imperfect), would be (conditional), and continues. The use of a verb is not coincidental. A verb denotes action, and its conjugation encompasses all existing and possible times (present, past, future, and subsequent). Here is another quality of the Lord, existing and seeing the complete image in all its times.

Needless to say, based on this, nothing takes God by surprise. His word and promise do not depend on a specific time or moment and cannot be altered by circumstances. At the moment He spoke or promised, it is a fact without the possibility of alteration. He has already seen the promise fulfilled in all its times and possibilities. Every opposition has been considered, our mistakes on the way have been seen, and grace provided. The plan already created continues to flow according to His time and will, with minimal possibility of being altered, annulled, delayed, or incapacitated by anything or anyone. Regardless of events after receiving the word, if the odds are against us, even if it seems impossible to our eyes, it doesn't matter. He is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9), truthful (Romans 3:24), and powerful to fulfill what is promised (Job 36:5).

The expression "I Am" was used several times by God; in each instance, a supernatural event manifested, incomprehensible forces operated, manifesting the impossible in the physical realm. Let's discuss some of them. God (the Father) introduces Himself as the great I Am in His conversation with Moses (Exodus 3:2-14). While Moses was shepherding Jethro's sheep, his father-in-law, he sees the burning bush that is not consumed by the fire. The story is rich in symbolism and teachings, but the focus is on the burning bush not being consumed. This by itself is a miracle; God had not spoken a word, and a supernatural event was happening. The physical laws, referring to science and the barriers of reasoning, were surpassed by this event itself. What I want to tell you is: if God told you or promised something, pay no attention to natural laws, referring to the laws of the physical world; when the time comes, they will be surpassed and incapable of containing the supernatural laws imparted by God.

Jesus used the expression "I am," and again, supernatural events occurred. The first time the Master used the expression, His disciples were in a boat trying to cross to the other side. The Bible recounts that the waves and winds were violently battering the boat. We must remember that the majority of the twelve were fishermen; however, they were unable to traverse the storm. It was not the first time they encountered a similar phenomenon on the high seas. They had the knowledge and skills to face such an event. They were familiar with those waters; however, they lacked the ability to traverse or get out of that situation. It is my opinion, with no biblical basis to support this argument, that that storm had something supernatural in itself.

Suddenly, they saw the image of someone walking on the sea, and they were troubled until Jesus said, "I Am." This event was so impactful that, causing such a marked impression, it is reported in three of the four Gospels (Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50, John 6:20). Walking on the waters was not the only miracle that occurred on this occasion; the storm ceased automatically when Jesus entered the boat with His disciples (Mark 6:51). Again, the story is rich in content, but we will focus on two things. The first point: walking on the waters. The disciples were in the middle of the sea. There was no path that would lead Him to them; this did not prevent the Master from meeting with them. He then decided to do the impossible, walk on the waters. The need for a natural means will not be necessary to reach what God promised. When such a moment comes, where there was no path, He will create paths, providing means and resources where none exist; simply put, in God, a supernatural act will open the path we will cross.

The second point in the story: as soon as the Lord entered the boat, the storm calmed down. There was no need to speak to the storm or rebuke the winds; Jesus' mere presence in the boat was enough to end it. No matter the opposition or obstacles, nothing can prevent us from reaching the other side. Everything will be removed because God is in control. The storms we see today, the opposition we experience, the difficulties we feel are not permanent; as soon as the time of the Lord aligns with the predetermined one, He will create paths out of nowhere, enter our boat, and the winds will disappear as if they had never been present, and we will quickly reach what seemed impossible.

Finally, hours before being crucified, Jesus was in the garden with His disciples. Judas arrived at the place with the crowd to apprehend Him and hand Him over to the Jews. When they asked, He Himself replied: "I Am," and the crowd recoiled and fell to the ground (John 18:5-6). Again, by pronouncing "I Am," an inexplicable event occurs. As soon as they heard Him say it, the crowd, not one or two people; each and every one of them recoiled, falling to the ground. This was not a coincidence, as it was repeated three times consecutively, nullifying any doubt or "coincidence." Each time they asked, they got the same result. Rising again to ask, receiving the same answer: "I Am," they recoiled and fell again.

At first glance, the crowd, shouting, confidently walking toward Jesus, with an aggressive and violent attitude, could seem intimidating. However, a single word from the Master was enough to force them to recoil and prostrate themselves on the ground. The times they asked made no difference; getting up for another attempt did not alter the final result. The next time adversity comes to us making noise, attempting to paralyze and intimidate us; let's remain silent, confident. Knowing that all that is needed is a single word from the Lord for them to recoil and fall. No matter how persistently our circumstances return to try again, the final result will not change. We will reach what Jesus said we would, and that nothing and no one can change.