YOU NEED NOT WALK ALONE
El-Shaddai (God Almighty)
I was driving down the road today and an old song by Amy Grant came to mind, called El Shaddai. I started humming the tune and remembered this song was my first introduction into the vast array of the names of God. All those years ago my interest was piqued enough to explore what El Shaddai, El-elyon na Adonia meant translated from Hebrew to English. (God Almighty, God in the highest, Oh, Lord.)
Why, you may ask, should I be interested in the names of God or understanding them in Hebrew?
They are a portal, a window, an illumination into the very character of God. If God seems distant, you are not reading this by mistake, but by divine intervention. God Almighty, El-Shaddai wants you to know His heart of love for you.
FOR THE SKEPTIC OR SEEKER
You may be new on this pathway to exploring the reality of God, but He is not new to you. He knit you together in your mother's womb and saw your unformed body. Ps 139:13-16 His love for you is as high as the heavens above. Ps. 103:11 That's how important you are to Him.
Just imagine this truth. Imagine a world figure like a King, a President or Prime Minister of a country wanting to make your acquaintance. Imagine they invited you to their home. Then take it a tad further and imagine they considered you as close as family. Now you have a picture of how the God Almighty El-Shaddai longs for relationship with you.
Ps. 103:8 says, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love," for you. Your life matters. You were created for relationship with God. If you are feeling lost, alone, or disjointed even with many people around you and Facebook friends galore, El Shaddai is what you are missing. I encourage you to reach out. Speak out loud the name El Shaddai (Pronounced el-shaw-DIE) and invite Him to show up in your life. He will not disappoint.
FOR THE BELIEVER
The name El- Shaddai first mentioned in Genesis 17:1 has two components. El is the root form of Elohim (meaning All Powerful One, Creator) and Shaddai means Almighty or Breast. In the old testament El-Shaddai is translated as "God Almighty" twenty-four times with the meaning of one who has power to compel nature to do what is contrary to itself, such as healing the sick, parting the Red Sea, or sending Manna from heaven etc. Shaddai is also translated another twenty-four times as the Breast, signifying one who nourishes, supplies and satisfies. (1)
Think back to the days before the bottle or formula, the breast was the only means of nourishment to a baby. The breast gave life. It nourished, supplied nutrients and satisfied. This is exactly what God does for us.
El-Shaddai means the God Almighty who is all-sufficient, all-bountiful, all-satisfying. He is a God who desires to meet our needs, fulfill His promises in our life and give true blessing … that change you from the inside out.
Our North American culture eats up the message of health and wealth, or name and fame, and though each of these blessings can be used for the glory of God, I believe there is a much deeper meaning to true blessing.
Jesus said in Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." This means that the things of the Spirit are far more valuable to ask for than health, wealth or a name for yourself.
El-Shaddai, our All-Sufficient One, our Supplier, our Satisfier wants to bless us with life and life more abundantly. El-Shaddai is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." Ephesians 3:20
So cry out the name El-Shaddai. Believe in His power and might. Ask what you will, for He longs to hear your voice. But don't be surprised when He gives you blessing far richer, deeper, and more abundant than your mind can think to ask.
El-Shaddai gives peace in the storms of life.
El-Shaddai gives strength when you are weak.
El-Shaddai gives hope when life crumbles around you.
El-Shaddai gives healing to the body, mind and emotion.
El-Shaddai gives love when the world is unkind.
Breath out the name of El-Shaddai this week as you travel on the highways and byways. Stop long enough to think about what that title means, and let your mind wrap itself around a God who intimately cares for you.
- (1) Nathan Stone Names of God
Sit back, take a deep breath slowly in and out and relax. Listen to this beautiful rendition of El Shaddai by Amy Grant.
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About the author
Blossom Turner is an award-winning novelist, and a free-lance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, and former newspaper columnist on health and fitness. A Word Guild semi-finalist for Anna's Secret, Katherine's Arrangement, Amelia’s Heartsong, and a Word Guild winner for Best Romance for Lucinda’s Defender. She has found her home in the writing of historical fiction but is open to wherever God leads. The many 5-star reviews attest to the power of love and romance authentically woven into the Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their five love stories.
Blossom lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, David, of forty years and their dog Lacey named after Lacey Spring, Virginia, where this series takes place. A former businesswoman, personal trainer, and mother of two grown children she is now pursuing her lifelong dream of writing full-time. A hopeless romantic at heart, she believes all story should give the reader significant entertainment value. However, her writing embodies the struggles of real life. She infuses the reality of suffering with the hope of Christ to give a healthy dose of relatable encouragement to her reader. Her desire is to leave the reader with a yearning to live for Christ on a deeper level, or at the very least, create a hunger to seek for more.
Co-author Suzie Zanewhich
Suzie is a certified life coach, leader of emotional health, and resource specialist. She has found her niche as a soul coach.
Suzie finds purpose in empowering individuals to move towards growth, healing, and alignment with their authentic self. Suzie is driven by a calling to live authentically, as the person God created her to be, to reach her fullest potential and lead others to do the same. Her passion is to help others find meaning through discovering their strengths, gifts, personality, temperament and core values.
Suzie is a life-long learner, continuously immersing herself in new courses to learn more about human behaviour, relationships, psychology, child development, emotions, trauma and healing. Because of her craving to always learn more she has earned the title of resource specialist in the area of self-discovery.
Suzie Zanewich lives with her husband in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She has a patchwork family of four grown children, two daughters, two sons and three granddaughters.
Comments 1
Super User
on Tuesday, 23 October 2018 17:23
I love that song. It was written by Michael Card.
I also really appreciate the concept of naming the names of God as I plow through life's days and challenges.