THE FAMILY ALTAR

July 18.

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM." Ex. 3:14.

"I Am hath sent me," that was the answer Moses was to give

if any doubted the authority of his mission to them."I Am,"

the one absolute Being; the one and only God, who was and is

and shall be: "I Am/' the one God from eternity to eternity,

eternal, unchangeable in His word and promises, as well as in His

nature; the Creator of all; the Lord over all; the one Lord God,

in whom all live, and move, and have their being; the one God,

outside of whom there can be no. other gods; the one who alone

and unconditionally can say, "I am"; the one who alone has the

right to command, and the power to execute His threats and fulfil

His promises ; the only one who is able to save and to destroy. —

Yea, where begin and where end ? This one name "I Am" includes

every attribute of God. I am — eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent,

omniscient, holy, just, faithful, benevolent, merciful, gracious.

What a comprehensive name, and, oh, how precious to the believer !

"I Am," that is His name, and the believer has but to add to

"I Am" anything which exactly suits his own spiritual need, what-

ever it may be, and, behold, the Lord God is that to him. To the

believer He is all in all. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning

and the end. This name "I Am" offers all, and faith has but to

write over against that precious name whatever it needs, and faith

has it. — "I Am" — is this name a precious sound to your ears,

or do you tremble at the very thought of what this name all

signifies? Do you find peace, comfort, hope in this name? Is He

who calls Himself "I Am" your Savior ? Is He your Righteousness,

so that you can stand before Him and not be found wanting on

that day? If you believe, then you need not fear. He who calls

Himself "I Am," is then your Wisdom, your Righteousness, your

Sanctification, your Redemption. As a believer you can in a

measure feel and enjoy the sweetness- of this ineffable name —

"I Am." (H.H., in Lutheran Witness, 1919.)

When God would teach mankind His name,

He calls Himself the great "I Am,"

And leaves a blank — believers may

Supply those things for which they pray.