The names of God: El Shaddai

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.  Job 37:23 NIV

El Shaddai – the Almighty – is exalted in power. It is in the name of El Shaddai that the omnipotence of God is known. Is anything too hard for the Lord? This is a rhetorical question asked by Jeremiah about Yahweh, who is El Shaddai – the Almighty. Nothing is too hard for the one who contains all the power of the universe in his hands. Nothing is impossible for him who reigns from on high.

In his might he brought the world and all in it into being by the mere breath of his mouth, saying “let it be” and it was. He is mighty to form the stars and spread them across the expanse of the sky, and he is mighty in his delicacy to knit the very intricacies of our beings together.

How foolish we are in our finite minds to think that He is unable to care for us, to meet our needs, and to save us from death and destruction that surrounds us. We should never confuse his power with his sovereignty – that which he allows according to his perfect judgment although he has the power to intervene.

He does care for his people,  his children,  those he loves with an everlasting love. He does provide, keep and nurture according to His good pleasure. He is able to do more abundantly than we could ever think or imagine. Doubting the ability of the Almighty in our personal lives is foolishness. He is both Almighty and good and what a combination to be the one who cares for us. We are told to be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put away your so-called strength that you’re trying to get through life with and submit to him. Let’s listen to the promises of El Shaddai – the Almighty – through Job:

“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.  Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.  If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,  then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you.  Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. Job 22:21-26 NIV

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