El Shaddai

“For the Spirit of God has made me, and the Breath of the Almighty [El Shaddai] gives me life.”

- Job 33:4

Remember when you’re talkin’ to the Man Upstairs,

That just because He doesn’t answer doesn’t mean He doesn’t care.

‘Cause some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayer.

- Garth Brooks, “Unanswered Prayers”

Did you know that the first book written in the Bible is the book of Job?  Most scholars believe Moses wrote Job before he wrote Genesis; which means the first thing, apparently, that God wanted to communicate to all of us is that life is difficult.  That life would include joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, smiles and tears.  And the solution God offers for this life experience is not a philosophy, not a self-help program, not an explanation… but Himself!

Forty-one times in the Old Testament, God is called “El Shaddai”; twenty-nine times in Job alone.

El Shaddai is translated as “The All Sufficient Faithful Sustainer.”  It is God as “El” who helps and it is God as “Shaddai” who is mighty enough to faithfully nourish you, satisfy you, and supply you.

These past few months have been a lot for us to process.  We have all struggled in different aspects of our lives:

Jobs have been lost…

Relationships have been strained…

Prayers have gone unanswered…

Lives have been taken…

Dreams have been shattered…

Plans have been altered…

Yet in all of this, El Shaddai has not changed!  The God who parted the seas for Moses, who brought down the walls of Jericho for Joshua, who delivered Daniel from the Lion’s Den, who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who is present for you today!  And He is faithful to do all He has promised to nourish you, to satisfy you, and to supply you.  Listen… God’s faithfulness is not limited to good times!  The Psalmist said:

“The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear!”

- Psalm 118:6 (NLT)

El Shaddai is for me!  Say that out loud!  And then say it again!  One more Time!

Pastor Harry

‍