This name for God begins with El, which is translated God. When it is used in tandem with other words, it becomes a name describing aspects of the amazing character of God. El-Shaddai means God Almighty, God Most High, God of the Mountains or God Who is Sufficient.

We first see the name El-Shaddai used in the Old Testament of the Bible in the book of Genesis, chapter 17. God made some stunning promises to Abraham. He made a covenant with this childless, 90 year old man that there would be an entire nation of his descendants. It was an unbelievable promise. It would certainly take a miracle, but Abraham believed the promise because he knew God to be all powerful and all sufficient.

The name is used again in Genesis chapter 28. Isaac trusted in God's promise to his father, Abraham. After all he was the miracle child born to Abraham and Sarah. Still, would God create nations of his family line? The blessing had been passed on to him and he now gave the same blessing to his son Jacob. He believed that God was sufficient. He said, "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of people."

Psalm 91:1 speaks of being in the shelter of the Most High God and in the shadow of God Almighty. God does not promise that there will not be danger, but He does promise that those who trust in Him will dwell in His protection.

The people of the Bible trusted an all sufficient God to provide heirs when it looked as if they would never have a child. They passed their trust in Him on to their children, never wavering in their faith. They trusted an almighty God to protect them from their enemies and from the hardships of life. If His promise did not materialize immediately, they had faith in Him and they waited knowing that everything good would be in His timing.

Our Creator, the Maker of the universe, the Lord of all creation is strong enough to keep His promises. Our God who is sufficient is able to give us every good thing. Can I rely on Him, believing Him to be Almighty and All Sufficient, even when the world, society or common sense tells me that it is impossible? Proverbs 3:5 tells me to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. I am to acknowledge Him in all that I do and let Him direct my steps. I can trust in Him.

He is God Almighty. He is God Most High, God of the Mountains and God Who is Sufficient. He is El-Shaddai.




Also look for Heart Beat, the second in the series.