In the Bible, there are different names that are used to describe God and His character. One of those names is “El Shaddai” – “El” is another name for God, and in this case is used in conjunction with “Shaddai”, which means sufficiency, sustenance, blessing, and nourishment.
“El Shaddai” is the name for Almighty God; the All Sufficient One; The Mighty God.
Understanding the meaning of different names used in the Bible to describe God and His character helps us to know aspects of God’s person in a greater way and increases our faith and expectations of Him. God is Who He Is! (Exodus 3:14) With increased faith and expectations concerning His nature and character, we are positioned to receive more of Him, through revelation knowledge of Him.
For example, with “Shaddai” – many believe it came from the word “shad”, which is the Hebrew word for “breast”. This word paints the picture of God completely sustaining, nourishing, supplying, and satisfying His children with all of their needs, just as a mother would do for her child.
A scripture example of the name “El Shaddai” in use for God is found in Genesis 49:22-26 (NIV):
“22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23 With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob (El Shaddai), because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25 because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty (El Shaddai), who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. 26 Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
In the times that we are facing in the world today, how comforting is it to know that God is “El Shaddai”? – not only the All Sufficient God who sustains, nourishes, supplies, and satisfies His children, but God Almighty who fulfills His purposes and blessings regardless of all opposition! Glory to God! and If you don’t know God in this way yet, what better time than now to get to?!
With God being “El Shaddai”, it is true that He acknowledged your need long before you ever even knew you had a need! More to it, He made provision for your need by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ!
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) says,
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus”.
This scripture does not say that God will meet “some” of your needs, or “just a few” of your needs, but “ALL”of your needs! and It says He will do it according to the riches of His Glory in Christ Jesus! This means that God’s provision for you is found in Christ Jesus.
Whatever your need is, it is God’s character to supply that need, whether it be related to spiritual things such as fear and anxiety, or natural things, such as health and finances. Seek the Almighty, All Sufficient God – “El Shaddai”!
Psalms 9:10 (NKJV) says,
“And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
The Lord has not forsaken and will not forsake those who seek Him! Trust in His Name and character! See “El Shaddai”, who declares His steadfastness and blessing, come through on your behalf!
Psalms 91:14-16 (NKJV)
“14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
Amen!
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