El Shaddai [el shad-dah’-ee] :: All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

masculine noun with reference to deity

El Shaddai is the name God uses to identify Himself to Abram: 

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless’” Genesis 17:1 ESV

During this exchange with Abram, which means exalted father,  God establishes Himself as the Almighty Father, before making a covenant promise to Abram and changing his name to Abraham, which means father of multitude.

God and Abraham come into a covenant relationship where God demonstrates Himself as the one true God, powerful, and mighty, in establishing the nations and remaining faithful to His covenant to be their God and provider for all their needs. 

Throughout the Old Testament, God demonstrates His ability to meet all the needs of the children of Israel. And, today, He does the same for us too. 

I remember when I was first married and we decided to tithe for the very first time. We had very little money and really weren’t sure how we would pay our bills if we gave our tithe, but we knew God would provide. 

After arriving home from church, we saw some trash in our front yard. My husband remarked he needed to go pick it up but didn’t get back outside for a while. When he finally went out a few hours later, the trash had not blown away. Not only was it still there, but it wasn’t trash at all. It was cash. The amount? Almost exactly what we had tithed earlier that day! 

God is sufficient. In all ways and at all times. 

But none is more important than when He came to earth as a baby and journeyed a long, dark path to the cross to become All-Sufficient in pardoning our sin and making a way to eternal life with Him. 

God, powerful and almighty, more than enough. 

Many times over in my life God has shown up in abundant ways. I’m sure He has done the same for you, too.

No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, God is more than enough to be everything we need. 

What are some ways in which He has been El Shaddai in your life? 

Here are just a few verses for El Shaddai. How many more can you find?

Genesis:

17:1

28:3

35:11

43:14

48:3

49:25