Starting with God
A devotional for Monday
Scripture
“I AM WHO I AM… Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”
Exodus 3:14 (NLT)
Reflection
Moses asks a simple but weighty question: “Who should I say sent me?” At first, God’s answer feels evasive, almost unhelpful. But “I AM WHO I AM” is not a dodge; it is a declaration. God refuses to be reduced to a label, a role, or a function that fits neatly into human expectations. This name tells Moses that God is self-sufficient, eternal, and not dependent on anything else for existence or authority. God does not change based on circumstances, opinions, or cultural pressures. Instead, everything else finds its meaning in relation to God. This is why starting with God matters so much. When we begin with ourselves – our preferences, fears, or experiences – we inevitably try to shape God into our image. But when we start with God as God truly is, we allow our understanding of ourselves to be reshaped. Moses didn’t encounter a God he could control, but a God he could trust. That trust became the foundation for everything that followed.
Question / Challenge
Where do you tend to start when thinking about God – with who God is, or with what you want God to be?