Day Twenty-Three

Over the past few weeks, in both our Lenten and Easter devotionals, we’ve had opportunities to think about the absolutely mind-boggling truth that the God of the universe has chosen to be in relationship with us—and not just “relationship,” but “intimate relationship.” We were created to know God and be known by him, and to live in fellowship with our loving Creator.

Over the course of Biblical history, the people of God came to understand who he was in different ways, and often times those different ways were linked to different names. Each name revealed something a little different about his divine character and the way humans relate to him. For the next few days we’ll be thinking about some of these names and what they teach us about who God is…and who we are as we exist in fellowship with him.

The first instance of the name El Shaddai appears in Genesis 17, when God calls to Abraham to further establish the covenant he initiated in Genesis 15:

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’”—Genesis 17-12 (NIV)

You can see from how it’s translated that El Shaddai means “God Almighty.” It emphasizes God’s strength and greatness that are both mysterious and matchless. In the context of Abraham’s story it is a vitally important revelation, for Abraham is chosen to give witness to the one true God in a world that believed in a multitude of gods. To declare that the one Abraham followed was El Shaddai was to proclaim that he is the God above all other gods, the one whose might and power know no end. He is the Almighty, and there is no other. No wonder the psalmist used it in the opening verses of a song comparing God’s strength to a mighty fortress:

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.’”—Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)

Interestingly enough, the book of the Bible where El Shaddai appears most often is the book of Job. It makes sense, because Job’s journey is one of wrestling with the idea of God’s sovereignty and might. As one of Job’s “friends” remarks:

“Can you discover the mysteries of God?
Can you find the limits of Shaddai?”—Job 11:7 (TLV)

The Easter story is the ultimate reminder that Shaddai has no limits, for not even death can hold him back. His love and his desire to see us restored to relationship with him is so strong, so mighty, that the grave itself yields. We have no choice but to fall on our face before him in worship, for the one who is God Almighty has made a way back to himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus. How will we respond to such love?

With love. Erkahmka

El Shaddai (God Almighty)
El Elyon (the Most High God)
na Adonai (O Lord)
Erkahmka (We will love you)

Read the rest of the lyrics here.

Questions for Reflection

1) What does it mean for you to refer to God as “Almighty?” How has he shown himself in that way over the course of your spiritual journey?

2) What other forces in the world compete for the title of “Almighty?” Are there any that sometimes have a particular sway over your life at times? Spend some time in prayer before God, lifting him up as the only one who truly is Almighty.

3) How does knowing that El Shaddai means “God Almighty” impact your understanding of the lyrics of this song?

4) This is an especially pertinent verse for us, having just gone through the season of Lent and currently journeying through the season of Easter. Spend some time thinking about these words and what they speak to your soul and heart:

Through the years you've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be.
Though your Word contained the plan,
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of your son.

5) Read and reflect on this passage of Scripture. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:

“Oh, Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!”—Jeremiah 32:17 (CSB)