Inspired by...: Inspired by . . . Day 26: His Name, El-Shaddai

Inspired by . . . Day 26: His Name, El-Shaddai

El-Shaddai

God Almighty

The Hebrew shadday , meaning Almighty comes from the root shâdad, meaning burly or powerful. It’s no surprise then, that the Greek word for Almighty, παντοκράτωρ pantokratōr contains the word kratos which means vigor, power, and strength.

We see in this name the raw power of God. But not just a physical power, a power beyond any force known to man, but also a spiritual power. An omnipotent power over hearts, minds, and beyond. This power, Beloved, is the very power that sustains the universe.

He is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Col 1:15-17

In El-Shaddai we see God’s loving supply and comfort.

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33:4

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psa 91:1

But we also get a glimpse of His judgment and wrath.

From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
Rev 19:15

Few of us, if any, have ever seen the wrath of God. I don’t think it is by accident that all the references (save one in 2 Cor, which is actually quoting the OT) to God Almighty in the New Testament occur in the book of Revelation. A time is coming when we will see and {some will} experience the wrath of God. The majority of the OT references portray El-Shaddai as all-sufficient and all-bountiful, the source of all blessings.

And indeed He is.

I pray by now, as we enter the final week of #write31days and our study of the names and attributes of God that the picture of God painted in your mind and on your heart is, first and foremost, one of a Holy, Good and Merciful God. A God Who is Faithful and abounding in Love. Because once we know Him in this way, we can trust Him. We can respect His power and know without a shadow of a doubt that He will be Just in His Wrath.

God is not to be tamed and put into a box of human understanding.

Is He safe? No. But He is good, trustworthy and true.

Beyond anything we could ever hope or imagine.

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him"--these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1Co 2:9-10