DAY 19
EL SHADDAI
" When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. " (Gen 17:1)
There are numerous names given to the one True God in our scriptures. When we read about the names by which God has revealed Himself to us, we gain a better understanding of who God is. The meanings of God's names reveal the central character and nature of the One who bears them. The most common names are YAHWEH, ELOHIM, ADONAI, and EL. The word "EL" is the root of ELOHIM, which means "mighty, powerful, omnipotence, and so on." "SHADDAI" is the o8ne who nourishes and supplies His people's needs. So, EL - SHADDAI means He is the Almighty God who is all-sufficient to meet the needs of His children.
As we all know, in Genesis 12, God called Abram (Abraham) and told him to leave his home and country and follow where God leads him. God promised Abram that he would be a great nation and a blessing to everyone. So, Abram did as he was told and went to the place where God led him. Abram was 75 years old when he and Sarai left Haran (Homeland), and Sarai was nine years younger. The next time God met Abram (according to the record), God renewed His promise to Abram that He would make a great nation out of his seed, and Abram wondered how this could be possible given that he and Sarai were still childless.
We all know that Abram was referred to as "God's friend." His faith gradually shifted as the years passed. He trusted God and did everything He told him to do. Nonetheless, the promise was kept hidden from him. So, in (Gen 15:5), God took him out and said to him, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if you can count them." "So shall your descendants be," he said to him? When we look back on our lives when we have lost hope when we are burdened with burdens and miseries, who is the first to come to us for help? Our best friend will be the first to cheer us up. God encourages us during our difficult times in the same way that He supported Abram. When we are surrounded by sorrows, tears, and heartbreaks, the first person to appear next to us is Lord Jesus. He comes to us and gives us new strength and hope to continue in the path He has chosen for us. He encourages us not to give up or give in if our vision or dream has not yet come true. Because a delayed vision does not necessarily imply that the dream will never come true.
There are 29 years between God's first appearance to Abram in Genesis 12 and his third appearance in Genesis 17. And no Isaac has yet to be born. And it is on this third appearance that we wish to concentrate "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.'" And I will make a covenant with you, and I will multiply you exceedingly." The God who spoke to Abram the first three times was unknown. However, this time when God appeared to Abram, He revealed Himself to Abram by a new name, EL SHADDAI, which means 'Almighty God,' emphasizing God's omnipotence and that He is the All-Sufficient God. God was revealing to Abram that He has the power to fulfill every promise He has ever made to His people, referring to the promise He made to Abram some 29 years ago that a son would be born of his flesh and blood.
The Almighty God rewarded their faith by bestowing Isaac on Abram and Sarai and changing their names to Abraham and Sarah. Their descendants were blessed as a result of them, and they became the mighty nation Israel, which was blessed exceedingly among other nations. He is the Almighty God, whose works are beyond comprehension. Are you one of those who is waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled? Do not be concerned; your hope will not be snuffed out. God will remember everything He has said to each of you and will establish His works. Until then, wait for Him and walk blamelessly in His presence.
He is the God who does things in their proper order. When He remembers and meets the needs of the little birds of the air, recognize that You and I are even more precious to Him and that He never fails us. He is the God who is Almighty in Power, Almighty in Grace, Almighty in Love, Almighty in Goodness, and Almighty in Mercy. He will never abandon or abandon us. All of His promises are Yes and Amen in Him, and they will be fulfilled right before our eyes. All of your problems and delays will be gone because El-Shaddai, the Mighty God, lives among us. Is there anything too difficult for God? Nothing. So, keep pressing forward and be courageous and strong in your faith, as Abraham was. May God shower all of you with all of His goodness, as He promised. Amen!!
Amen Amen