‘When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless”‘ (Genesis 17:1 ESV).
The Bible is a book for us, but not really about us. It is primarily a book about God. The Lord chooses to reveal Himself to Abram. With every turn of the page, the Bible records more about the Person and Character of God. Here, He identifies Himself as “God Almighty,” which in Hebrew is the name, “El Shaddai.” He reveals Himself as the Omnipotent God and then makes covenant with Abram, changing his name to “Abraham,” which means “father of a multitude.”
After revealing His name, the Lord promises Abraham a son by his wife Sarah, who is barren and too old to bear a child. Surely God revealed the name El Shaddai to Abraham to prepare him to believe this promise of a son. He wanted Abraham to grow in his faith and knowledge of God. And Abraham believed.
What does it mean to you to know that God’s name is El Shaddai? That God is All-Powerful? What do you face today that requires faith in the omnipotent God?
We may feel that our faith is too small, but could it be that our God is too small? In other words, our knowledge of God is too small? For it’s not great faith in God, but faith in a Great God that the Lord desires us to know. Do you believe God is Almighty?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, El Shaddai, we lift up Your name in worship and praise this day! We trust in You. We rest in You. We cast all our cares on You, knowing that You care for us. And knowing that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.