God Is As Unique As He Made You

Frettie, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

We know that each fingerprint is unique, right? We see that truth repeated in just about every cop show or suspense novel.

But have you ever considered that we also have a unique spiritual fingerprint? That our God has not only created our fingers to be completely different than any other human that ever walked the earth (or ever will), but also that the relationship He cultivates with us is also different than anyone else’s?

Relationships I Envy

Let’s look at a few examples of relationships with the Lord described in Scripture that seem rather appealing:

• Adam & Eve got to walk with God (before sin) completely naked and felt no shame (Gen. 2-3). Um, I can’t even stand in front of the mirror alone after a shower without a towel around me!
• Moses got a burning bush, and then God told him pretty much the whole plan from start to finish (Exo. 3). Sometimes, I think it would be nice to know what will happen next week, next month, next year…
• David knew God would bless his whole family FOREVER after he died (2 Sam. 7:16).
• The Disciples ate with Jesus, laughed with Him, slept beside Him, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teachings (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). WOW! How I would have loved seeing Jesus while He walked this earth as fully God and fully Man!

Relationships I Don’t Envy:

Now, let’s look at examples of relationships with the Lord described in Scripture that seem rather UNappealing:

• Adam & Eve disobeyed God and were banished from their perfect world, bringing sin and shame into Creation and every soul born after them (Gen. 3ff). Can you imagine the guilt each time they watched anything die?
• Moses was given (IMO) the worst job on the planet when God told him up front he’d return to Egypt, perform miracles, and Pharaoh would NOT let the Israelites go (Exodus 4 thru Deuteronomy 33). From the moment he returned to Egypt to the day he died without entering the Promised Land, this man remained faithful but struggled mightily in his relationships with both men and God.
• David was after God’s heart because his own was so tormented. How many times does he cry out in Psalms about his dark moods and even darker circumstances? A warrior with blood on his hands and a TERRIBLE father and husband, David’s relationship with God was seemingly his only anchor in his turbulent life (1 & 2 Samuel).
• The Disciples experienced ALL of Jesus, including His perfect Light that shined so brightly on their sins. Worst of all, they witnessed the crushing disappointment of His crucifixion. Yes, it was followed by the Good News of Resurrection and our enduring hope–and every one of them died defending their faith (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John).

A Closer Look At Moses’s Fingerprint

God spoke to Moses about their unique relationship at a point when Moses felt like God had betrayed him.

“Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.'” Exodus 5:22–23 (emphasis mine)

I think the fact that Moses compared God to Pharaoh proves he was pretty mad at the LORD, huh?

God’s Response

So, did God zap Moses with a lightning bolt?

Nope.

Did God get mad back and give Moses the silent treatment?

Nope. God basically said, “Hold onto your seat, Buddy, and watch what I do now” (Ex. 6:1). Then, our God said some of the sweetest words recorded in Scripture. You might miss them if you’re not reading carefully.

He revealed to Moses the unique spiritual fingerprint He’d given him:

“God also said to Moses, ‘I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them.'” Exodus 6:2–4

Did you see it? God shared something with Moses that He’d never shared with anyone else–His Name, Yahweh. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had known Him by other names:

• Elohim
• El-Elyon
• El-Shaddai

But no one had known God by the name, Yahweh–I am who I am–until Moses asked His name and God made Himself “fully known.” I’ve got goosebumps! 😆

Do You Think Moses Is The Only One?

When you look for this precious concept in Scripture, you’ll find it all over the place!

• Jacob wrestled with God on the shore of the Jabbok River until He “blessed” him. That’s God establishing a unique fingerprint relationship (Gen. 32).
• Elijah was so depressed that he hid in a cave. God called him out amid wind, an earthquake, and fire, but Elijah KNEW God’s voice was only in the whisper. That’s God establishing a unique fingerprint relationship (1 Kings 19).
• Saul was knocked off his horse on his way to Damascus to kill a bunch of Christ-followers. Jesus appeared to him, blinded him, and gave him instructions on where to go next. That’s God establishing a unique fingerprint relationship (Acts 9).

What’s Your Unique Fingerprint?

Your fingerprint might not be as dramatic. Mine certainly isn’t. Jesus speaks to me most clearly when I read and study His Word. It’s when I feel His presence and His pleasure most powerfully.

Sometimes I share what He teaches me. Sometimes it’s a lesson just for me–a secret between me and my Abba.

Don’t envy me. You wouldn’t want the chronic illnesses I deal with any more than I’d wish for the struggles you face.

Ask the Lord to reveal your unique fingerprint. If you’ve never heard God speak to you, don’t worry. Maybe this post is His way of saying, “It’s time now to listen.”

“For God does speak—now one way, now another…” Job 33:14

Today’s Questions:

• Can you trust the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb to find a way to speak so you can hear Him?
• In what way(s) do you hear God speak to you most clearly?