I AM YHWH

And God spoke to Moses and said to him: "I am [YHWH] the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty [El Shaddai], but by My name LORD [YHWH] I was not known to them. ... I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD [YHWH] your God."
(Exodus 6:2-3,7 NKJV)

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the LORD.
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV)

"I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name ... and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD [Adonai YHWH], "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes."
(Ezekiel 36:22-23 NKJV)

At least 164 times, the Lord told Israel, "I am YHWH" (usually translated "I am the LORD"). Scripture records God saying this seventy times during the forty years the Israelites spent with Moses, as if to firmly establish with them His presence.

When tragedy strikes—whether named Katrina or Ike or Death or Suffering—it is often asked, "Where was God?" When tragedy strikes, we who trust in Him are often best able to know His presence with us, and glory in Him.

God fully intends that He be known and understood, and He fully intends that "Hallowed be His name." His name YHWH—"The LORD"—means "I AM." He exists. He is with us. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present. And He indeed delights to exercise lovingkindness, and judgment, and righteousness.

Lord God, Adonai YHWH, Your love and power are without limit. Your presence in our lives is precious above all treasure. Please draw us to continually search You out, to better know, trust, and love you each day. Make it our privilege, pleasure, and passion to glorify Your name before others.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy