God called Himself “I AM” to the children of Israel. Later he is “Friend” to Moses. At various times God showed himself as Provider, Healer, Victor, Our Righteousness, Our Holiness plus many other ways. But he did not dump all that on people all at once. He revealed Himself as a new crises would occur. He does that to us now. Generally we first learn about Him/Jesus as Savior, Redeemer as we recognize that we are sinners in need of salvation. After that as we pray and learn more about him as we see how he plays different roles in our lives. Some might learn about Him as a Provider before they know him as Savior. I’m sure that must have happened when He supplied manna for the Israelites.
On Thanksgiving Day, I used the last of the aluminum foil. What do you do with all that cooking going on, baking potatoes, covering pies, wrapping leftovers, etc and no foil? And Walmart’s closed! I looked at my daughter-in-law, then I said, I’ll check the garage. I did. There on a shelf was a new 100 ft roll of heavy duty Reynolds Foil Wrap. I came in waving it saying, “Thank you, Jesus.” He is my Provider. Actually I know I must have bought it at some time and put it on the shelf – probably. But I absolutely think that some time I must have had a “nudge” from the Holy Spirit to pick up an extra roll of foil that I did not need. Not one of the usual things I do. It’s sky high! And besides, it’s not on the Covid emergency list like toilet paper 😀
Granted that was a very small crises, but it had to happen for me to find the foil. Most times when we see him in a new way, it is because the bank account is down to 36 dollars, or we have just been handed a medical emergency, or the tire blew out. Things we try to avoid by doing the earthly things like buying insurance or putting money in savings. And as long as we can help ourselves, we do that. But when we can no longer help ourselves, we cry out to Him – and wonder of wonders, He answers.
The following example is given to show how we only know God in “part.” As we mature we find more fascinating things about him.
Ruth Allen is a teacher in a large public school system. She has been hired to teach a 4th grade class in Hall Elementary School. The administrators in the central office know her in that dimension. Because of resumes, background checks, references, etc., they trust that she will sufficiently fulfill the work that is required of her. The chances are that they would have to look up the name to know whether or not she is an employee with the system. On the other hand, her students know her as their teacher – the person who is there to dispense knowledge to them. As time goes by and they know her better, they might see her as a friend, guide, or counselor. Many children, however, are shocked when they run into Mrs. Allen in the grocery story. It hasn’t dawned on them that Mrs. Allen has a different role from that which touches them.
Keep your eyes open to the marvelous ways you will find that the Lord God touches your life!
Image: Pexels.com
(God the I AM, God’s names/Jesus, knowing God, God’s roles, pt 2)
Sweet aroma 
“I think, therefore I am” – René Descartes.
Another good one from him : ” It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.”
And “I am, therefore, I think?” Yes I think so, but some “thinking” can sure be absurd and without logic – which is dealt with by his “main thing is to use it well.” Logic and common sense are high on my list of thinking skills.
That’s why I added that😀
Right on.
😀😀
It is a sign of faithfulness to see God’s hand in what happens to us.
I don’t want to make God seem “common” but he is with us in so many ways. They are not all grandiose schemes and themes. Thank you, Frank.
Love this! So well put.
When I was traveling with Youth With a Mission I saw countless little “coincidences” of provision like this. At one point I had run out of spending cash, and while I knew there was some money waiting for me a couple of stops down the road on our tour, I had run out of shampoo and didn’t know what I was going to do for the next week. We were staying at the homes of people from the church we had ministered with that weekend – just an overnight there before we moved to the next place. As I was leaving my host home, the lady of the house came out of the garage with a bottle of shampoo and asked if I needed it. I hadn’t told her I had just used the last of mine. She said she had bought it the week before by mistake, forgetting she had already replaced hers.
Such a small thing but it taught me that just as His eye is on the sparrow, His eye is also on me… even down to mundane needs like shampoo!
There! That is exactly like God. He can be seen so easily by those willing to see! Indeed, foil and shampoo from one who formed the land and sea. That’s WOW sure enough.