A Witness to God’s Power: Guarding God’s Reputation

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Thursday

A Witness to God’s Power

Read: Joshua 7:6–9

Israel had just experienced a powerful victory at Jericho, yet moments later they faced a humiliating defeat at Ai. Joshua, overwhelmed with grief and confusion, fell before the Lord. His prayer in Joshua 7:9 reveals a profound theological truth: when God’s people stumble, the world notices. Joshua’s concern was not only Israel’s loss but God’s reputation among the nations—“What will You do for Your great name?”

This is a powerful reminder: believers are God’s witnesses. Our obedience displays His power; our sin and compromise can distort His character before those watching us. When we claim to be followers of Christ yet live in contradiction to His ways, we give the world a false picture of who He is.

Sin is not only personal—it becomes communal in its consequences. Israel’s defeat affected the entire nation. In the same way, when we compromise, we don’t just hurt ourselves; our witness to God’s holiness, grace, and power becomes clouded. The world may conclude that God is weak—or worse, irrelevant—because His people live powerless and divided lives.

This theme echoes in Deuteronomy 4:5–9. Moses reminded Israel that their obedience to God’s statutes would be a testimony to surrounding nations:

“Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

The keeping of God’s word was not merely for personal blessing but for a public demonstration of His wisdom and righteousness. Their faithfulness would cause the world to see that their God was near, powerful, and just.

Just as Israel was called to be a light among the nations, so believers today are called to reflect Christ in a world desperate for truth. When we walk in humility, obedience, and grace, God’s presence shines through our lives. Our victories point to His power, and even when we stumble—as Israel did—our repentance and restoration can still witness to His mercy and faithfulness.

Let us live in such a way that the world cannot help but see God’s greatness through us—not because we are perfect, but because we belong to the One who is.

Prayer
Father, thank You for calling us to be Your people and for the privilege of representing You to the world. Forgive us for the times we fall short and damage our witness. Strengthen us to walk in obedience, humility, and grace so that Your name may be honored. Let our lives reflect Your power, Your wisdom, and Your love, so that those around us may be drawn to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I AM WHO I AM: The Name That Changes Everything

 

“I AM WHO I AM: The Name That Changes Everything”

Text: Exodus 3:13–22

Have you ever had someone ask, “Who sent you?”

It’s a question about authority, identity, and purpose. In Exodus 3, Moses stands at a turning point. God has just called him to the impossible: confront Pharaoh and deliver a nation of slaves. But Moses, uncertain and afraid, asks something incredibly profound:

“If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13)

This isn’t just a request for information. It’s a desperate need for assurance. Who are You, God?
And what God gives in response is nothing short of life-changing.

Moses Asks: Who Are You?

Moses wasn’t doubting that a god had spoken to him. He wanted to know which God—and what kind of God—was sending him into danger.

Names in the ancient world weren’t just labels. They revealed something about the person’s character, authority, and power. For Moses to stand before Israel and Pharaoh with confidence, he needed more than a vague title—he needed the Name.

Moses is asking:
“Can I trust You? Will You keep Your promises? Are You real, present, and powerful?”

God Answers: “I AM WHO I AM”

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ … Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Ex. 3:14)

This name is rich and mysterious. It comes from the Hebrew root “hayah”, meaning “to be.” From this root comes Yahweh, the personal covenant name of God.

By calling Himself “I AM,” God is saying:

• I exist—not because anyone made Me or sustains Me, but because I am.

• I am unchanging—always present, always faithful.

• I am personal—not a distant force, but the living God who sees, hears, and acts.

• I am self-sufficient—not dependent on time, space, or human effort.

This name reveals God’s eternal nature. He isn’t just the God of the past—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—but the living God of today, fully present in Moses’ crisis and Israel’s suffering.

Yahweh: God of the Covenant

“Say to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord [Yahweh], the God of your fathers… has sent me to you.’” (Ex. 3:15)

“Yahweh” is more than a title—it’s a covenant name. It reminds Israel that this is their God—the One who made promises to Abraham and intends to keep them.

God is not a vague spiritual power. He is a relational God, bound to His people by sacred promise.

When God says “I AM,” He means:

• I am the same God who promised to make you a great nation.

• I am the One who will be with you in Egypt, in the wilderness, and beyond.

• I am not just “out there.” I am here. I am with you.

This covenant relationship is not based on Israel’s merit but on God’s unchanging character.

The Name Means God Is Present

Notice God doesn’t say, “I was” or “I will be.” He says, “I AM.”
Whatever season you’re in—fear, failure, waiting—God’s name reminds us: He is present.

“I will be with you.” (Ex. 3:12)

That’s the real power behind the mission—not Moses’ words or staff—but the presence of Yahweh.

God’s Name, Our Confidence

God’s name isn’t just theology—it’s practical truth for the journey.

• When you feel weak, remember: “I AM” is your strength.

• When you are afraid, “I AM” is your shield.

• When you doubt, “I AM” is your assurance.

• When others question your calling, “I AM” is your authority.

God didn’t send Moses alone. He sent Moses with His name, which meant He sent Moses with Himself.

The Name Fulfilled in Jesus

Centuries later, Jesus echoed these words:

“Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58)

Jesus wasn’t just quoting the Old Testament—He was identifying Himself as Yahweh in the flesh.
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant, the final assurance that God is with us—Emmanuel.

In Christ, we see the “I AM” walking among us, healing, forgiving, dying, and rising again.

When Moses asked, “What is Your name?”

God gave an answer that still echoes today: “I AM WHO I AM.”

It’s not just a name—it’s a promise:

• I am present.

• I am faithful.

• I am with you.

So when God calls you—when life overwhelms you, when others ask who you think you are—remember, it’s not about who you are.
It’s about who He is.

And He is I AM.

Short prayer: Lord, You are the great I AM—unchanging, eternal, and faithful. Help us to trust in Your name, to walk in Your promises, and to remember that You are always present. May we, like Moses, go forward not in our own strength, but in the power of the One who says, “I AM with you.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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