"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, 'I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless.'" ~Genesis 17:1
Who here hears this name of God, El Shaddai, and instantly is taken back to Amy Grant's song by the same name?
El-Shaddai, El-Shaddai [means "God Almighty, God Almighty"]
El-Elyon na Adonai [means "God in the highest, Oh, Lord"]
Age to age, You're still the same
By the power of the name
El-Shaddai, El-Shaddai
Erkamka na Adonai [means "We will love You, Oh, Lord"]
We will praise and lift You high
El-Shaddai
Through Your love
And through the ram
You saved the son
Of Abraham
Through the power
Of Your hand
Turned the sea
Into dry land
To the outcast
On her knees
You were the God
Who really sees
And by Your might
You set Your children free
This song which so many of us are likely familiar with gets it right - the name "El Shaddai" does literally mean "God Almighty", which shows us that God is all-sufficient, enough for our needs, in total sovereign control, and to be trusted and relied upon. Which makes sense - this is the very name He reveals to Abraham in today's verse - the very Abraham who was called to leave all security and familiarity behind, to trust in God's plan for his heir, and to sacrifice that beloved heir. In order to have the kind of faith Abraham is known for having, in order to walk out that faith in action, he had to have known His God to be El Shaddai. What a tender gift it was, then, for the Lord to reveal Himself to Abraham in this way!
As the famous song points out, He is the One Who remains always the same, has power in both His name and His hand, provides the needed sacrifice for our sins, saves and rescues His people, is able to perform miracles such as the crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground, sees the outcast whom no one else cares about, and sets His children free.
This, dear friend, is your God. This is your El Shaddai. And these are the implications of this name and its meaning in your life!
Reflection Questions:
1) What truth from today's devotional most encouraged you or brought you hope and peace?
2) What did you learn today that enables you to trust the Lord more?
3) In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded that God is your El-Shaddai?
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