warm-up

How did you get your name?

Who is someone you can always count on for help? Can you share a story about that person?

Is there a story about your family that you like telling or you’ve heard again and again? Can you tell us about it?

word

God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14

God instructed Moses to go to the Israelites and tell them that He had heard their cries, and would free them from slavery to the Egyptians. Moses asked God, “Who should I say sent me?” God replied, “I Am has sent me to you.” The words “I am” literally mean “I continually exist.” There are no preconditions, no first causes, and no time limits. Let’s look at what that means for our past, present, and future.

1
God was in your past.

God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” Exodus 3:15

First, God identified Himself to Moses as “I Am.” God exists apart from what we know as time and reality. Then, God identified Himself to Moses in relation to the people of Israel. He called Himself the God of Abraham, the father of the people of Israel; Isaac, the miracle son of Abraham; and Jacob, who was given the name Israel. God was in your past as well, speaking to those before you and knowing the plans He has for you. In all that we have been through, both good and bad, God was there with us. We were never alone. How has God been good to you and your family in the past? What assurance does Jeremiah 1:5 give about God being in our past?

2
God is in your present.

“Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt . . .”’” Exodus 3:16

God began by assuring Moses that He was the same God from the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then He said, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt.” In every moment, even before they experienced freedom, God had been watching over them. He is watching over us today and seeing what is happening in our lives at this moment. How has this truth changed the way you live each day?

3
God is in your future.

“‘“. . . and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’” Exodus 3:17

God first told Moses who He was, and affirmed His relationship with the people of Israel. Then God assured Moses that He had been and still was watching over the people of Israel. Finally, God made a promise. He would deliver them from slavery in Egypt, and more than that, bring them to a good land filled with abundance. Whatever our future holds, we know that God will be there with us, His people. Share a promise God has given you that you are still holding on to.

application

How has God been there for you in the past? Share one story.

Do you believe God sees your present struggles? How can you commit your present to God this week?

Do you believe God is in your future? What is a promise from God you are holding on to? Commit to meditate on a passage of Scripture that relates to this promise.

prayer

Thank God for being with you in your past and present, and for watching over your future. Pray to experience even more of His presence day by day.

Pray that God will help you remember what He has done for you and your family in the past, and how He will fulfill His promises to you in the future.

Pray for friends and family members who have not yet encountered the presence of God to get to know Him in a personal way.

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© 2021 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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