Faith in the Shadow of Hamas' Terror"

Israel is at war with Hamas. We could easily give into the flesh and say I AM worried, I AM anxious, I AM fearful, I AM weary. I am currently safely planted in Australia but we are very concerned for the Israelis who have been kidnapped. We are also saddened by the loss of life with over 1200 people having been either raped or murdered or both. Can you imagine watching your children and babies being beheaded in front of you while you are tied up and then you are burnt alive? Hamas, the most evil terrorists in the world, have done this and more to God's Chosen people. They chased and hunted down young people at a music festival. Hundreds were shot and died there alone. No one was safe as they entered people's homes that morning of October 7th, 2023. Now they are at war with both the North and the South and this could easily escalate to involve many other countries. So 'I AM' can be used in a few ways to describe ourselves, especially now. I AM can be used in any number of normal situations, however, one of the most amazing ways that God used the words I AM was with Moses.

‘God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). When used as a stand-alone description, I AM is the ultimate statement of self-sufficiency, self-existence, and immediate presence. God’s existence is not contingent upon anyone else. His plans are not contingent upon any circumstances. He promises that He will be what He will be; that is, He will be the eternally constant God. He stands, ever-present and unchangeable, completely sufficient in Himself to do what He wills to do and to accomplish what He wills to accomplish.’ GQ

Jesus said the most controversial statement in response to the Pharisees when they asked Him who He thought He was. Then, “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ John 8:58

Shocking! Jesus was revealing to them that He was God. They were very angry with Him because they thought that this was blasphemous. Only God can call Himself I AM.

This is why when calamity strikes and I feel that I AM many things, I remember that He is I AM. That’s a good thing because sometimes circumstances can look out of control, can’t they? However, Jesus said the following. ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33

That sounds huge doesn’t it. I have overcome the world. That sounds like a statement that only the GREAT I AM could say and mean. He is able to do exceedingly greater than we could ever ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’

As I reflect on this, I think of how Israel is currently in a war. 2000 years (approx.) have passed since Jesus’ day and 3460 (approx.) years since Moses’ time. Yet, here we are in a day where God is still I AM. God is our all in all and He is watching over His Word to perform it.

When we find ourselves overwhelmed, let’s not say that I AM worried, anxious, fearful or weary. Let’s turn to the GREAT I AM and say when I AM weak, then I AM strong. Only in Him can we find strength, peace and rest when everything is turned upside down. Only He can turn our mourning into dancing. He is ever-present and unchangeable. Only He can give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness.

Let's pray that the Israelis will also experience this in addition to a resolution to this crisis and for the kidnapped people to be returned safely. They are going through such a difficult and heartbreaking time.

Romans 12:12, 'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.'

I AM totally reliant on I AM and that’s where He wants me to be.

-Judah Ayling 14/10/23