Hello ASYGRers!

I hope everyone is doing well. Would you believe Henry and I joined some other men this past weekend and hiked 15 or so miles in the mountains along I-81? Great time!

Today we look at another name of God… EL SHADDAI.

Recall “EL” means “GOD” in the Hebrew language. What ever is added or joined to “EL” give us another dimension of God’s character so we can better understand the One who made and sustains us.

El Shaddai occurs almost 100 times in the Bible. Let’s look back in Genesis…

Genesis 17:1

Now when Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless…”

*I am El Shaddai*… means I am God Almighty or I am God All Sufficient. Wow!

Now, you may have wondered why God uses so many different names to describe Himself in the Bible. First off, remember that the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to man. God wants mankind to know Him. Last week we learned that “Elohim” means “Gods” plural yet with a singular use. This describes God’s nature as a Triune God, a Trinity… Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Today we see that “El Shaddai” describes God’s nature as an Almighty God or an All Sufficient God able to accomplish anything His will may conceive.

And friends, our hearts should leap when we comprehend God as Almighty or All Sufficient! Why? Because He can do anything. Almighty God has the power and means and resources to do absolutely anything He wills. Pigs can fly backwards if God so wills it, ha!

And think of this: If He is El Shaddai, then what does that say about our doubts, fears and worries when we entertain them? Believers have no reason to worry or fear. Frankly, my conscience has convicted me in my times of prolonged worry. My doubts of God bring me to tears… how about you? Hear what Jesus (God as man) says…

Matthew 6:25

“… do not be worried about your life…”

God is All sufficient, able to take care of His own. It really is strange to think that God who created everything can’t help us through a difficult circumstance. And you know something… even death shouldn’t cause us fear because when believers die- where do they go? The apostle Paul had this attitude…

Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

A settled confidence in El Shaddai should remove our doubts, fears and worries. God used this name in speaking to Abram for a reason. If you continue to read that part in Genesis, (Genesis Chapter 17), you’ll see God is outlining His promises to Abram. To the average person, these promises would seem utterly unbelievable. Ahh… but God is El Shaddai!!

   1. When have you regarded God as El Shaddai?
   2. Why is it so easy for us to worry and/or doubt God?
   3. Do you like that Amy Grant song called “El Shaddai”?

Peace,
Jim