EL SHADDAI – GOD ALMIGHTY

Note: The nature of God is beyond our figuring out.  We need help if we are going to begin to understand who God is and how we can relate to Him.  It takes God to know God.  This is why He gives us His many names that describe who He is.  The reason knowing the names of God will help us trust Him with our daily affairs and with our eternal destinies is that in Scripture, a person’s name often signifies his character or ability or mission — especially when God gives the name.  Over the next few Fridays, we will look at the different names of God in the scriptures. This week, we look at El Shaddai – God Almighty.

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” – Genesis 17:1-2.

The name El Shaddai appears multiple times in the Word of God. In the Book of Genesis, we read about the immutable, unbreakable promise that God made to Abraham. This promise changed the world. Every Jew upon the face of the earth is a living testimony of the faithfulness of Almighty God. And this God who keeps His promise to Abraham is the same God who keeps His promises to you and me through Jesus Christ.

God introduces Himself as El Shaddai in Genesis 17. Some background is in order: God had promised Abram that he would have many descendants.  But the years have gone by and he and his wife Sarai are still childless.  Abram was 99, and Sarah was approximately 90 when God promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations and that Sarah would bear a son.  The onus is on God. Multiple times, the Lord tells Abram something that He will do for him. God only asks of Abram to keep the covenant, walk before God, and be blameless. If Abram walks in obedience, there is a great blessing ahead for not only himself but all his descendants. God would be sufficient for Abram’s every need. He would be Abram’s El Shaddai.

God never calls us to walk before Him and then disappears, leaving us to figure it out ourselves. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit provides everything we need to walk the path God is taking us on. He promises to be sufficient for anything that He allows in our lives.

We can find peace in God’s limitless power and sovereignty. He is the creator of all things and can do anything, offering comfort and strength in the face of challenges. “Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing” (Isaiah 40:26).   

This week, reflect on the truth that God controls all things, past, present, and future, and that no situation is beyond His reach. So, when facing difficulties, find comfort in knowing that God’s power is available to us and that we can trust Him to work through any situation.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the name “El Shaddai” reveal about God’s character?
2. What does it mean to you that the Creator of the universe is also your personal God, capable of handling any challenge you face? How does this knowledge bring you peace and confidence?