El Shaddai

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord

appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am [El Shaddai];

walk before me, and be blameless.”

     Genesis 17:1

“Also God said to [Jacob]: ‘I am [El Shaddai]. Be fruitful

and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall

proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.”

    Genesis 35:11

One of the Hebrew names of God used frequently in the Old Testament is El Shaddai. It is often translated as Almighty God because He is sovereign, eternal, all powerful.  One of my study Bibles indicates that the name El Shaddai reflects God’s character as the strengthener and satisfier of His people. Thus, the name is also translated as the All-Sufficient One. 

I have experienced both aspects of El Shaddai and that causes me to fear and love Him all the more.  He has proven Himself faithful to me time and time again.  I have found out that He is always more than able to provide what I need--physically and spiritually.  His grace is sufficient for all my big issues and small issues, and everything in between. I find that the more I commit my ways, needs and concerns to Him, the more I see answered prayers every day. And that helps me to trust Him more and more.

I encourage you to spend some time pondering God as El Shaddai. Let the revelation of Him as the Almighty and All-Sufficient One quiet your fears and concerns, and bring peace to your heart. He alone can truly strengthen and satisfy.  Entrust everything to Him who is able and rest in the knowledge that He will bring His will to pass.