El Shaddai: The Almighty God, The All-Sufficient One

El Shaddai: Almighty God, The All-Sufficient One

El Shaddai: “Almighty God”, “The One Who is more than Enough”, “The All-Sufficient One”. Wow! What images do these descriptors of God bring to your mind? Is there anything that is beyond the ability of our God to handle? My mind immediately goes to a little song we used to sing in Sunday School that goes something like this:

He’s able, He’s able, I know He’s able,

I know my Lord is able to carry me through!

He heals the brokenhearted, He sets the Captive free,

He made the lame to walk again, and He caused the blind to see,

He’s able, He’s able, I know He’s able,

I know my Lord is able to carry me through!

One of the defining characteristics of a created being is having limitations. Try as we might to be self-sufficient, we will eventually come up against something that is beyond our capabilities. The name El Shaddai testifies to the wonderful truth that God has no such limitations. It means God Almighty, the Self-Sufficient One, the All-sufficient One, the God of Limitless Power.

When we looked at the name Elohim, we learned that EL refers to God’s character attributes of power and might. El points to the power of God Himself. Shaddai seems to be derived from another word meaning “breast”. The two used together indicate One Who Nourishes, supplies, and satisfies. It is God as “El” who helps, but it is God as “Shaddai” who abundantly blesses with all manner of blessings. In the Hebrew, the name El Shaddai emphasizes God’s ability to handle any situation that confronts His people.

This name that God gives Himself is introduced within the context of His covenant with Abraham and first appears in Genesis 17:1-2.

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. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.”

After 25 years of waiting for a promise to be fulfilled, God expressed himself to Abraham in this way at his moment of deepest doubt. God reminded him that His name is El Shaddai, the one with whom nothing is impossible.

So, you may be asking how this name relates to your journey as a widow? Most people want everything right away: instant coffee, instant tea, drive-thru food, instant answers to prayer! However, we often find that we have to hold fast to our confidence in order to obtain rewards.

There are only three reasons why you cannot trust someone: he doesn’t tell the truth; he changes capriciously; or he cannot perform what he promises. El Shaddai, God Almighty, IS the Truth, He cannot change, and He is abundantly able to do everything He says!

Discouragement and disappointment are twins of the same parents – difficult circumstances and adversity. Expectations about life can be dashed when contrary circumstances hit. At such times, or at times when we need to be patiently waiting, El Shaddai appears on the scene. He is the ultimate life-changer, and what He promises, He will fulfill!

Many times, through the circumstances of our lives, it becomes necessary for us to take our stand securely under the “almightiness” of God, and to declare Him as our El Shaddai. Consider Psalms 91. This so aptly describes living under the all-sufficient One who can care for our every need. “Dwelling” means to steadfastly plant oneself there, and to be positioned in the knowledge that He’s more than enough. God longs for us to dwell with Him and to walk before Him in His presence at all times.

We need to remind ourselves that God is indeed El Shaddai, “God the Almighty,” and that He can handle any problem that faces us. When we realize that He is the Almighty God, the all-powerful Ruler of the Universe, we begin to see wonderful things happen in our lives. Our faith becomes great as we realize God is great!

When we become widows, there are so many things that stand before us that seem impossible. We don’t know how we’ll ever handle the financial situations we face; we don’t know the first thing about home and car maintenance; who will handle all the paperwork? These things seem to stand right in front of us as mountains that we will never be able to climb.

It’s at times like these that we can turn to El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, who can help us work out every problem, and who has the answer to every question. He can untangle every web, and He can meet every need that we have.

Remember: “…Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,…” – Ephesians 3:20. Remember all those times that He met a need, or sent someone across your path to help you. If He has done it before, He will sure continue to keep you in his All-Sufficient care!

As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome here or you can email me at sheryl@freshhope.us. If you’re looking for a new purpose and a pathway to move ahead, please consider joining one of our Refocusing Widows groups, either in person or online. You can register at www.refocusingwidows.org/Groups. We look forward to meeting you!