The Meaning of El Shaddai, a Name That Reveals More About God’s Care for You Than You Might Realize
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Photo by austin wade via unsplash
Around this time last year, I received some lab results via email, and as I skimmed the report, my heart sunk.
Over the previous nine months, I had been meticulous about taking my vitamins and supplements—vitamins my doctor had instructed me to take based on the nutritional deficiencies revealed by a prior lab test. But these latest results revealed that, rather than improving, many of my deficiencies had worsened.
Soon after receiving these discouraging results, I went for a walk. Wind rattled the bare birch branches, and last year’s dead leaves flitted across the road. As I trudged up the hill near my home, my musings were as bleak as my surroundings. I’m so deficient, I thought.
But following close behind that thought was this one: I’m deficient, but God is sufficient. I knew God was reminding me that my test results didn’t have the final say. Just because I had some deficiencies now didn’t mean I always would.
ALL SUFFICIENT ONE
As I reflected on God’s sufficiency, I also felt Him reminding me that He is El Shaddai. Though El Shaddai is often translated as “God Almighty,” it can also be translated as “All-Sufficient One.”
Later, I did some research on the name El Shaddai, and while reading an article I found on BlueLetterBible.org, this statement jumped out at me: “[Shaddai] refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child….This denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our Sustainer.”
Again, through this article, I felt God speaking to me clearly and personally. My nutritional status was no surprise to Him—and it didn’t worry Him as it did me because He is my All-Sufficient One, the One Who nourishes me and supplies my every need. No problem or deficiency is too big for Him to overcome.
GIVE YOUR DEFICIENCIES TO GOD
Are you feeling deficient today? Are you experiencing lack physically, emotionally, financially, or vocationally? Place your deficiencies in the hands of the All-Sufficient One. He promises to provide all you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)—and He always keeps His promises!
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or through the comment section below!
In purpose and faith,
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