December 29, 2018

365 Days of the Great Names of God, Day 29: El Shaddai


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.'" (Genesis 17:1 NLT)

I think for many of us (and by "us," I mean those of "us" with some miles in our life rearview mirro
r), our first introduction to this name of God came through the Amy Grant song of the same name. 

I've always loved the translation of "El Shaddai" as "God Almighty," but I recently learned that it also means "all sufficient"—which thrills me, because I find this to be yet another beautiful example of the completion and totality of God. 

He is not only powerful, He is also provisional. 
He is not only strong, He is also sustaining.

El Shaddai not only is and has everything we need, He also has the power and might to give it to us. 

Oh, yes: "We will praise and lift you high, El Shaddai."


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I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to tell me what you really think. Years ago, I explained to my then-two-year-old that my appointment with a counselor was "sort of like going to a doctor who will help me be a better mommy." Without blinking, she replied, "You'd better go every day." All of which is just to say I've spent some time in the school of brutal honesty!