El Shaddai
Today’s Verse:
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ~Genesis 17:1
The names of God in Scripture reveal God in His attributes. Each name by which He reveals Himself tells us something important about how God loves us, deals with us, and wants us to experience His working in our life. God revealed Himself to Abraham as Elohim, the one and only sovereign and Creator God. He revealed Himself to Abraham as El Elyon, the Most High God. He revealed Himself as Abraham’s shield and exceeding great reward. From a distance, Abraham learned how God revealed Himself to Hagar as El Roi, the God Who sees. God revealed Himself to Abraham at age 99 in a very powerful way: God Who is almighty!
We see the characteristic.
In His name as God or Elohim, He makes very clear that He is Creator, Sustainer, Controller and everlasting. Elohim encompasses the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As El Shaddai, He is almighty! In this name, God is all-powerful. God is matchless. God is incomparable. God is greater than all. He is almighty. There is nothing that He cannot see and nothing that He cannot do. He is not limited, but is unlimited. He is not finite, but infinite. It is a name that emphasizes that God can do anything but fail. At age 99, and having waited for 24 years for the promised son, Abraham needed this fresh and powerful revelation. Let us remember that our age, circumstances, problems, weaknesses, and challenges do not limit God, Who is almighty.
We see the communion.
“The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God.” God came to Abraham to fellowship with him. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 90:1). As Almighty God, He draws us into sweet fellowship with Him. Communion with God is a necessary and critical time that we need every day. It is when we learn to lean upon the everlasting arms of God for our strength. It is when we have His covering over us from the blaring heat of difficulties. It is when our praying feels so inadequate and helpless that we need to realize that there is nothing too hard for the Lord. In His attribute as El Shaddai, God calls us on to strengthen our faith and imagination and trust in Him.
We see the command.
“Walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Abraham knew that obedience to God was important. Thirteen years before, he took matters into his own hands and made a mess of things. God was patient with Abraham. As Almighty God, He reminds Abraham of the importance of continual obedience. Faith and obedience go hand in hand. We miss out on what God can do and would do for us because of disobedience. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Follow the command to walk before God and to be thou perfect.
We see the claim.
God makes this revelation to us so that we can claim His power and working in our life. First, we must claim this attribute for our insecurities. Second, we must claim this attribute for our inadequacies. Third, we must claim this attribute in every prayer and intercession. Rise up in faith, call unto God, and let Him show you great and mighty things that we know not of.
God is Almighty! May this attribute be the game changer in your faith and prayers!
Have an almighty God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 28-31