WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EL SHADDAI TO US AS CHRISTIANS? 13/02/2022
GOD IS LIKE A DIAMOND WITH MANY SIDES
HIS MANY NAMES ARE LIKE WINDOWS THAT REVEAL HIS BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING CHARACTER AND NATURE.
JEHOVAH ELOHIM – CREATOR
JEHOVAH ADONAI – KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
YAHWEH – ETERNAL AND EVER-CHANGING
JEHOVAH JIREH – OUR EVERLASTING PROVIDER
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH – THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS THERE
JEHOVAH RAPHA – THE ONE WHO HEALS OR REPAIRS
JEHOVAH SABAOTH – THE LORD OF HOSTS
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LEARNING MORE ABOUT JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI
THE NAME EL SHADDAI GIVES US TEACHES US ABOUT THE GREATNESS AND BEAUTY AND MAJESTY OF OUR GOD.
EL SHADDAI IS THE TITLE OF A SONG WRITTEN BY MICHAEL CARD AND JOHN THOMPSON
THE SONG WAS MADE FAMOUS BY MANY GREAT CHRISTIAN ARTISTS LIKE
WE LIKE MANY CHRISTIANS LOVE TO SING IT AS PART OF OUR WORSHIP SERVICE.
LET US SING IT RIGHT NOW “EL SHADDAI”
BUT WHAT DOES THE NAME “EL SHADDAI” ACTUALLY MEAN?
AND WHAT IS ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO US AS BELIEVERS TODAY?
THE HEBREW WORD “EL” MEANS, “GOD.”
“EL” SPEAKS OF GOD’S POWER … HIS ABILITY TO CREATE AND TO SUSTAIN WHAT HE CREATED.
AND “SHADDAI” IS ANOTHER HEBREW NAME OF GOD … LIKE THE NAMES “ELOHIM” AND “ADONAI.”
IT IS TYPICALLY TRANSLATED IN ENGLISH AS, “GOD ALMIGHTY.”
EL IS THE HEBREW WORD TRANSLATED, “GOD” AND IS USUALLY COMBINED WITH OTHER WORDS THAT DESCRIBE A CHARACTER TRAIT OF GOD.
MOST BIBLE SCHOLARS SAY THAT SHADDAI IS DERIVED FROM THE HEBREW WORD, “SHADDU” MEANING MOUNTAIN.
AS A RESULT THE MOST COMMON INTERPRETATION OF THE NAME EL SHADDAI IS GOD ALMIGHTY OR GOD THE “OVERPOWERER.”
IT SPEAKS OF GOD’S MIGHT OVER MAN’S WEAKNESS.
SOME OTHER BIBLE SCHOLARS HAVE SAID THAT, SHADDAI IS FROM THE HEBREW ROOT WORD, “SHAD” MEANING “BREAST”.
IN ADDITION TO EL SHADDAI SPEAKING OF GOD AS BEING ALMIGHTY, EL SHADDAI ALSO SPEAKS TO HIS ABILITY TO NURTURE AND SATISFY.
THESE SCHOLARS SAY THAT THE NAME SPEAKS OF GOD AS BEING NOURISHING, SATISFYING AND SUPPLYING ALL OUR NEEDS AS A MOTHER WOULD HER CHILD.
EVEN THOUGH “ALMIGHTY GOD” IS THE MORE COMMON TRANSLATION,WE NEED TO KNOW THAT GOD IS IN ADDITION TO BEING ALMIGHTY IS ALSO THE NURTURING AND SUSTAINING GOD
THE WORD SHADDAI COULD MEAN “HUGE” AND “MIGHTY” BECAUSE THE WORD MEANS “MOUNTAIN.”
MOUNTAINS ARE HUGE, IMPRESSIVE, MOUNTAINS ARE MIGHTY, MOUNTAINS CAN BE OVERWHELMING,MOUNTAINS CAN FELL US WITH AWE AND ADMIRATION
“EL SHADDAI” COULD BE INTERPRETED TO MEAN “GOD, THE MIGHTY MOUNTAIN” OR “GOD IS A MIGHTY MOUNTAIN.”
WE SEE THAT SHADDAI MEANS TWO THINGS:”MOUNTAIN AND BREAST
WHILE A MOUNTAIN REPRESENTS SOMETHING HUGE, MIGHTY, AND SOLID …
A WOMAN’S BREAST, ESPECIALLY THE BREASTS OF A MOTHER, REPRESENT NURTURE
THEY REPRESENT SAFETY … THEY REPRESENT LOVE AND WARMTH.
A NEWBORN BABY FINDS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO SURVIVE AT HIS OR HER MOTHER’S BREASTS.
WHEN A CHILD IS FRIGHTENED, HE OR SHE RUNS TO THEIR MOTHER AND FINDS SAFETY AND PROTECTION IN HER ARMS
JUST AS WE FIND LOVE AND WARMTH, SAFETY AND COMFORT IN GOD’S ARMS.
THERE IS A STRANGE CONTRAST AND TENSION IN THE NAME “EL SHADDAI.”
GOD IS OUR MOUNTAIN … OUR STRENGTH … HUGE … POWERFUL … IMMOVABLE … ANCIENT FATHER OF THE WHOLE EARTH
THAT SAME GOD IS AS LOVING AND AS CARING AND AS NURTURING AS A MOTHER
AND WE DEPEND ON HIM FOR LIFE AND SUSTENANCE.
“EL SHADDAI” COMBINES THE “MIGHTY AND POWERFUL NATURE OF GOD WITH HIS
NURTURING AND CARING NATURE
THE ANCIENT RABBIS AGREED THAT THE NAME “EL SHADDAI” MEANS “ALL-SUFFICIENT AND MIGHTY ONE” … WHICH, OVER TIME, HAS SIMPLY BEEN TRANSLATED AS “ALMIGHTY.”
“ALMIGHTY” IS ACTUALLY THE COMBINATION OR JOINING OF TWO WORDS … “ALL” AND “MIGHTY.”
GOD IS MIGHTY IN ALL THINGS … HE IS MIGHTY IN EVERY WAY.
HE IS “MIGHTY” LIKE A MOUNTAIN … AND HE IS “MIGHTY” LIKE THE CARE AND LOVE OF A MOTHER.
“EL SHADDAI” … IS A BEAUTIFULLY DESCRIPTIVE NAME FOR OUR ALL-POWERFUL AND ALL-SUFFICIENT GOD FULL OF LOVINGKINDNESS JUDGEMENT AND MERCY
GOD WHO CAN DO ANYTHING AND MEET ANY NEED ,
ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING LINES OF THE POWERFUL WORSHIP SONG, “EL-SHADDAI” SONG IS “AGE TO AGE YOU’RE STILL THE SAME BY THE POWER OF YOUR NAME.”
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE NAME, EL SHADDAI, APPEARS AT LEAST 40 TIMES.
MANY OF THOSE TIMES ARE IN THE BOOK OF JOB AND SEVERAL ARE IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS
IN THE BOOK OF JOB THE FRIENDS OF JOB SAW GOD AS THE OVERPOWERER
THEY SAW HIM AS THE ONE WHO COULD CRUSH US AT ANY TIME IF WE DON’T LISTEN TO HIM
THEY ALSO SAW HIM AS THE ONE WHO WOULD ALSO COMFORT US IN ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS
Job:5:17-18
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:Job:5:18: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
JOB SPEAKS OF THE ARROWS OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD AS POISON IN HIS SPIRIT
JOB 6:4: For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me
JOB’S FRIENDS WERE SURE THAT JOB AND HIS CHILDREN HAD CROSSED THE LINE AND SINNED AGAINST THE ALMIGHTY GOD
JOB 6:14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
JOB 8:3-7 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?Job:8:4: If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;Job:8:5: If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;Job:8:6: If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
Job:8:7: Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
AS WE CONSIDER OUR PRESENT CULTURE, WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF GOD BEING EL- SHADDAI FOR US AS BELIEVERS AND FOR THE CHURCH MOVING FORWARD?
WHO IS THIS EL SHADDAI TO US IN OUR PRESENT SITUATION TODAY?
EL SHADDAI IS ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD THAT EXPLAINS ANOTHER ASPECT OF WHO GOD IS THAT WE NEED TO LEARN TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND
HERE IS THE CONCLUSION OF ELIPHAZ CONCERNING THE WHOLE MATTER
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Job:22:22: Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
Job:22:23: If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
Job:22:24: Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
Job:22:25: Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
Job:22:26: For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
Job:22:27: Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Job:22:28: Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Job:22:29: When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
Job:22:30: He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
GOD IS OUR MOUNTAIN … OUR STRENGTH … OUR HUGE … OUR POWERFUL … IMMOVABLE … OUR ANCIENT AND EVERLASTING FATHER
HE IS OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD
THAT SAME GOD IS AS LOVING AND AS CARING AND AS NURTURING AS A MOTHER ON WHOM WE DEPEND FOR LIFE AND SUSTENANCE.
PSALM 46”:1 GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.
WE FIRST SEE GOD IDENTIFY HIMSELF AS EL SHADDAI WHEN TALKING WITH ABRAHAM IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS.
GENESIS 17:1 ABRAHAM WAS 99 YEARS OLD AND THE LORD (JEHOVAH) APPEARED TO ABRAM AND IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS EL SHADDAI.
ABRAM FELL FACE DOWN BEFORE THE LORD.
GOD ASKED ABRAM TO WALK BEFORE HIM AND TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY,
AND HE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD MAKE A COVENANT WITH HIM.
THAT IF ABRAM WALKED BEFORE HIM IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, EL SHADDAI PROMISED TO MAKE ABRAM VERY FRUITFUL.
THOUGH, ABRAHAM’S BODY WAS OLD AND FRAIL, GOD WAS SHOWING HIMSELF AS THE GOD WHO WAS MIGHTY IN THE FACE OF THE IMPOSSIBLE.
HE MADE ABRAM UNDERSTND THAT HE WAS ALL POWERFUL AND ALL SUFFICIENT TO MEET EVERY NEED OF ABRAM’S FAMILY
IN GENESIS 28:3, WE SEE ISAAC (THE SON OF ABRAHAM) BLESSING HIS SON, JACOB WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS, AS HE SENDS HIM AWAY TO FIND A WIFE,
“MAY GOD ALMIGHTY (EL SHADDAI) BLESS YOU AND MAKE YOU FRUITFUL AND INCREASE YOUR NUMBERS UNTIL YOU BECOME A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLES.”
AGAIN, IN THIS VERSE WE SEE GOD IDENTIFIED AS THE ALMIGHTY GOD WHO WILL SUSTAIN JACOB AND MAKE HIM FRUITFUL.
IN GENESIS 35:11, GOD HIMSELF SPEAKS TO JACOB AND IDENTIFIES HIMSELF AS EL SHADDAI, GOD ALMIGHTY WHO REMINDS JACOB OF THE COVENANT PROMISE HE GAVE ABRAHAM.
JACOB IS TO “BE FRUITFUL AND INCREASE IN NUMBER. A NATION AND A COMMUNITY OF NATIONS WILL COME FROM YOU, AND KINGS WILL BE AMONG YOUR DESCENDANTS.”
IN THIS VERSE YET AGAIN, WE ARE REMINDED THAT EL SHADDAI IS THE GOD ALMIGHTY WHO MAKES A COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE AND KEEPS HIS PROMISES.
IN GENESIS 43:14, JACOB BLESSES HIS SONS AS THEY GO LOOKING FOR FOOD IN EGYPT DURING THE FAMINE THAT RAVISHED THE LAND.
AND GOD ALMIGHTY GIVE YOU MERCY BEFORE THE MAN, THAT HE MAY SEND AWAY YOUR OTHER BROTHER, AND BENJAMIN.
JACOB BLESSES HIS SONS ASKING GOD ALMIGHTY (EL SHADDAI) TO BLESS THEM PROTECT THEM, AND GRANT THEM MERCY AS THEY GO.
LATER, JACOB AS AN OLD MAN BLESSES JOSEPH AND HIS SONS WITH THE WORDS,
“: AND JACOB SAID UNTO JOSEPH, GOD ALMIGHTY APPEARED UNTO ME AT LUZ IN THE LAND OF CANAAN, AND BLESSED ME,GE:48:4: AND SAID UNTO ME, BEHOLD, I WILL MAKE THEE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY THEE, AND I WILL MAKE OF THEE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE; AND WILL GIVE THIS LAND TO THY SEED AFTER THEE FOR AN EVERLASTING POSSESSION GENESIS 48:3-4
AGAIN, GOD IS IDENTIFIED AS GOD ALMIGHTY THE GOD WHO MAKES COVENANT, PROMISES OF FRUITFULNESS AND WHO KEEPS HIS PROMISES.
FROM THESE DIFFERENT PASSAGES, IT SEEMS THAT ALL THE TIMES THIS NAME FOR GOD IS USED IT IS ATTACHED TO THE GOD WHO MAKES COVENANT PROMISES AND WHO IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO KEEP AND FULFILL THOSE PROMISES.
HIS POWERFUL SUSTAINING PRESENCE CONTINUALLY OVER SHADOWS MAN’S INADEQUACY AND CONSTANTLY PROVIDES FOR US.
HE ALWAYS GIVES US HIS COVENANT BLESSINGS,THOUGH HE IS ALWAYS CAREFUL TO WARN US TO WALK IN HIS WAYS ONLY
WHAT DOES EL SHADDAI TEACH US ABOUT THE GOD WE SERVE?
GOD IS EL SHADDAI WHO OVERCOMES OUR INADEQUACIES.
AS EL SHADDAI, GOD CONTINUALLY OVERCOMES OUR INADEQUACIES AND WEAKNESSES
WHAT A POWERFUL PROMISE FOR OUR LIVES TODAY.
OUR INADEQUACY SHOWS UP IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE AND MOST ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF HOLINESS AND CONSECRATION TO GOD AND HIS WORK
IN AND OF OURSELVES, WE ARE NOT ENOUGH. HOWEVER, WE HAVE EL SHADDAI WHO IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR US IN ALL THINGS.
BY HIS GRACE AND MERCY, JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI HAS PROVIDED THE WAY FOR ALL OUR IN ADEQUACY TO BE COVERED AND FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
NOW, WE ARE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT AND OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ACTUALLY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.
JOHN 15:1-8
1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh:15:2: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.Joh:15:3: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.Joh:15:4: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.Joh:15:5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.Joh:15:6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.Joh:15:7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.Joh:15:8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
IT IS HIS ADEQUACY THAT COVERS OUR INADEQUACY. HIS ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS COVERS OUR SINFULNESS.
HE IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SAVE ,SANCTIFY AND SUSTAIN US.PRAISE GOD
IN ISAIAH 51 THE LORD OF HOSTS ,JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI ADMONISHES US TO TRUST IN HIM ONLY
HE INVITES US TO LOOK UP TO ABRAHAM OUR FATHER AND BE CONFIDENT IN HIS LOVE FOR US
Isa:51:1-15
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
Isa:51:2: Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.Isa:51:3: For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.Isa:51:4: Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. Isa:51:5: My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.Isa:51:6: Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isa:51:7: Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
Isa:51:8: For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.Isa:51:9: Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?Isa:51:10: Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?Isa:51:11: Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.Isa:51:12: I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;Isa:51:13: And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?Isa:51:14: The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.Isa:51:15: But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.
GOD ISOUR JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI THE PROMISE KEEPER.
HE ALWAYS KEEPS HIS WORD AND WE CAN TRUST HIM.
JUST AS GOD KEPT HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB, WE CAN TRUST HIM TO KEEP HIS PROMISES TO US TODAY.
IN HEBREWS 11, WE READ STORIES AFTER STORIES OF THOSE WHO DARED TO BELIEVE GOD AND TRUSTED HIM TO KEEP HIS PROMISES.
IT’S EASY TO DOUBT THE PROMISES THAT EL SHADDAI HAS GIVEN US,WHEN LIFE IS DIFFICULT
HOWEVER, HIS VERY NAME SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT HE IS ALMIGHTY AND FAITHFUL.
HIS NAME AS GOD ALMIGHTY TELLS US THAT HE HAS ENOUGH RESOURCES TO KEEP ALL HIS PROMISES.
HE IS EL SHADDAI AND YOU CAN TRUST HIM TO KEEP HIS PROMISES TO YOU.
3) GOD IS EL SHADDAI WHO PROTECTS US.
WHEN JACOB SENT HIS SONS OFF TO EGYPT TO FIND FOOD HE PRAYED THAT EL SHADDAI WOULD BLESS HIS SONS AND HAVE MERCY ON THEM AND PROTECT THEM.
THERE IS GREAT COMFORT WITH THE INCREASE OF ILLNESS, VIOLENCE AND EVIL IN OUR WORLD TO KNOW THAT THE GOD WE SERVE, EL SHADDAI PROTECTS US WITH HIS POWER.
IT MAY NOT ALWAYS LOOK FROM OUR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING AS THOUGH HE IS PROTECTING US, BUT WE CAN REST ASSURED THAT HE IS FAITHFULLY KEEPING US
HE WILL HOLD US FIRM WITHIN THE SECURITY OF HIS ALMIGHTY HAND FROM NOW TO ETERNITY AND NOTHING CAN PLUCK US FROM HIS HAND.
JOHN 10:26-30
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Joh:10:27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh:10:28: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh:10:29: My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh:10:30: I and my Father are one.
4) GOD IS EL SHADDAI WHO OVERCOMES OUR INADEQUACY AND MAKES US FRUITFUL.
EVERY TIME THE NAME EL SHADDAI IS USED IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS IT SEEMS TO TIE IN SOME WAY TO GOD’S COVENANT PROMISES TO MAKE MAN FRUITFUL.
GOD WANTS OUR LIVES TO BE FRUITFUL.
AS EL SHADDAI, HE OVERCOMES OUR INADEQUACIES AND BRING FRUITFULNESS EVEN OUT OF THE DIFFERENT TRIALS WE FACE.
OUR PART IS TO EXERCISE OUR FAITH IN ORDER TO TRUST THAT GOD WILL DO AS HE PROMISED. HIS PART IS TO BRING ABOUT THE FRUITFULNESS.
JUST AS JESUS SAID, WHEN TEACHING IN JOHN 15, AS WE REMAIN OR ABIDE IN HIM, HIS HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCES THE FRUIT.
AS WE LEARN TO ABIDE, THE NEED TO STRIVE AND PERFORM WILL DECREASE.
WE LEARN TO RELAX AND TRUST EL SHADDAI TO DO THE WORK.
AS WE LOOK AT THE UNCERTAINTY IN OUR WORLD TODAY
AS WE LOOK AT THESE TROUBLED TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE,,IT IS SUCH A GREAT COMFORT TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE HELD SECURE BY JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI!
HE IS THE ALMIGHTY GOD WHO OVERCOMES ALL OUR WEAKNESSES, AND PROVIDES FOR OUR EVERY NEED,
HE PROTECTS OUR LIVES AND MAKES US FRUITFUL SPIRT SOUL AND BODY BY CONSTANTLY GUIDING AND GUARDING US THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
WE CAN TRUST THAT EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T SEE HIM WORKING, HE IS WORKING AND HE WILL ALWAYS KEEP HIS PROMISES.
JUST LET GOD BE YOUR EL SHADDAI .LET HIS WORD AND HIS SPIRIT GUIDE YOU INTO COVENANT BLESSINGS,HEALING AND HEALTH
GOD SAYS WE CAN EASILY LIVE VICTORIOUS IN THIS LIFE AND IN ETERNITY , IF WE WOULD LET GOD THE FATHER BE OUR EL SHADDDAI. PSALM 29
ive unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psalms:29:2: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.Psalms:29:3: The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
Psalms:29:4: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.Psalms:29:5: The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. Psalms:29:6: He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.Psalms:29:7: The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. Psalms:29:8: The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. Psalms:29:9: The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.Psalms:29:10: The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.Psalms:29:11: The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
GOD SAYS IN ISAIAH 54:2, “ENLARGE THE PLACE OF THY TENT, AND LET THEM STRETCH FORTH THE CURTAINS OF THINE HABITATIONS: SPARE NOT, LENGTHEN THY CORDS, AND STRENGTHEN THY STAKES.”
AS BELIEVERS AND CHILDREN OF GOD, GOD WANTS US TO ENLARGE, STRETCH, LENGTHEN AND STRENGTHEN OUR STAKES
GOD FIRST INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS EL SHADDAI TO ABRAHAM IN GENESIS 17:1.
WHEN ABRAHAM WAS 99 YEARS OLD, GOD SIMPLY SAID TO ABRAHAM, “I AM ALMIGHTY GOD.”
THAT IS WHAT WE READ IN THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE BIBLE BUT WHAT GOD ACTUALLY SAID IN HEBREW TO ABRAHAM WAS, “I AM EL SHADDAI.”
WITH THAT NAME, GOD WAS REVEALING TO ABRAHAM AND TO US AS THE SPIRITUAL SEEDS OF ABRAHAM, THAT HE IS THE ALMIGHTY GOD THAT CAN SEE US THROUGH LIFE
HE IS THE ALL-SUFFICIENT GOD, AND THE GOD OF MORE THAN ENOUGH.
GOD REVEALED HIMSELF MORE AND MORE TO US THROUGHOUT HIS WORD AS EL SHADDAI WHEN HE TOLD JEREMIAH “THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CANNOT DO BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD.
JER:32:25-27
AND THOU HAST SAID UNTO ME, O LORD GOD, BUY THEE THE FIELD FOR MONEY, AND TAKE WITNESSES; FOR THE CITY IS GIVEN INTO THE HAND OF THE CHALDEANS.
THEN CAME THE WORD OF THE LORD UNTO JEREMIAH, SAYING,
BEHOLD, I AM THE LORD, THE GOD OF ALL FLESH: IS THERE ANY THING TOO HARD FOR ME?
GOD HAD JUST TOLD PROPHET JERREMIAH TO PROPHESY THE DOOM OF JERUSALEM BECAUSE OF THE REBELLION AND SINFULNESS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
THE PROPHET WAS THROWN INTO PRISON BY KING ZEDEKIAH FOR SPEAKING GOD’S WORD
NOW GOD TOLD THE PROPHET TO BUY LAND AND TAKE THE TITLE DEEDS FROM THE SAME LAND THAT WAS TO BE DESTROYED
LET US READ THE WHOLE STORY IN JER.32 AND 33
JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI CAN KILL AND MAKE ALIVE AGAIN
DEUT.32:39-40
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
De:32:40: For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
WITH JEHOVAH EL SHADDAI ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND WITH HIM NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.”
GOD ALSO SAID, I AM ABLE TO GIVE YOU BUILDINGS YOU DID NOT BUILD.
I AM ABLE TO GIVE YOU VINEYARDS YOU DID NOT PLANT.
I AM ABLE TO GIVE YOU CROPS YOU DID NOT HARVEST AND IF I BE FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU.”
THAT IS WHY JOB WAS ABLE TO SAY TO GOD, “GOD, I KNOW YOU ARE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING.”
THAT IS WHY MOSES WAS ABLE TO TELL THE JEWS WHEN ALL SEEMED LOST “STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.”
THAT IS WHY JEREMIAH WAS ABLE TO TELL THE JEWS ALSO, “IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?”
THAT IS WHY THE ANGEL OF THE LORD WAS ABLE TO TELL MARY BEFORE JESUS WAS CONCEIVED IN HER BODY, “FOR WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.”
AND THAT IS WHY PAUL WAS ABLE TO TELL US, “GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK.”EPH 3:20
EL SHADDAI IS ABLE TO DO ABUNDANTLY MORE THAN WE NEED, WANT, DESIRE OR IMAGINE.
GOD HAS BEEN SAYING TO THE CHURCH AND TO US AS INDIVIDUALS, “LET ME BE YOUR EL SHADDAI FOR I AM YOUR ALMIGHTY GOD, I AM YOUR ALL SUFFICIENT GOD, AND I AM YOUR GOD OF MORE THAN ENOUGH.”
I BELIEVE THE MESSAGE FOR ALL OF US FROM GOD IN 2022 IS THAT WE MUST SURRENDER TO HIM
GOD IS ACTUALLY SAYING TO ALL OF US THAT HE CANNOT BE OUR EL-SHADDAI UNTIL WE TAKE THE HANDCUFFS OFF OF HIM.
THE CHURCH AND INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS HAVE HANDCUFFED GOD FROM DOING ALL THAT HE WANTS TO DO FOR US.
WE HAVE HANDCUFFED GOD FROM DOING SUPERNATURAL THINGS FOR US.
WE HAVE HANDCUFFED GOD FROM SAVING AND SANCTIFYING US
WE HAVE HANDCUFFED GOD FROM BLESSING US IN MIRACULOUS WAYS.
THERE ARE TWO THINGS THE CHURCH AND INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS MUST DO IMMEDIATELY FOR THE HANDCUFFS TO COME OFF OF GOD.
WE MUST FIRST DRAW NIGH TO GOD AND HATE ALL OUR SINFUL WAYS
JAMES:4:4-8
YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.JAS:4:5: DO YE THINK THAT THE SCRIPTURE SAITH IN VAIN, THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN US LUSTETH TO ENVY?JAS:4:6: BUT HE GIVETH MORE GRACE. WHEREFORE HE SAITH, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, BUT GIVETH GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE.JAS:4:7: SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.JAS:4:8: DRAW NIGH TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU. CLEANSE YOUR HANDS, YE SINNERS; AND PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE MINDED.JAS:4:9: BE AFFLICTED, AND MOURN, AND WEEP: LET YOUR LAUGHTER BE TURNED TO MOURNING, AND YOUR JOY TO HEAVINESS.JAS:4:10: HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP.
GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD, “IF YOU WILL DRAW NIGH TO ME, I WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU.”
THAT MEANS WE MUST DRAW CLOSER TO GOD WITH OUR MAIN FOCUS BEING TO PLEASE HIM.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT FOCUSED ON PLEASING GOD, YOU END UP PLAYING WITH GOD AND TAKING HIM FOR GRANTED.
TOO MANY OF US AS BELIEVERS, ARE PLAYING WITH GOD IN OUR WORSHIP,
WE ARE PLAYING WITH GOD IN OUR ATTENDANCE TO BIBLE STUDY,
WE ARE PLAYING WITH GOD IN OUR GIVING,
WE ARE PLAYING WITH GOD IN OUR SPENDING QUALITY TIME ALONE WITH HIM.
WE ARE PLAYING WITH GOD IN OUR SEEKING HIS FACE AND HEARING HIS VOICE AND OBEYING IT
WHEN WE ARE NOT FOCUSED ON PLEASING GOD, OUR FOCUS TENDS TO BE ON PLEASING OURSELVES AND THE OTHER HUMANS AROUND US
SECONDLY, WE MUST REALIGN OUR FAITH WITH THE FAITH OF GOD
IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT MOST CHURCHES AND MOST BELIEVERS MUST REALIGN THEIR FAITH IN THE SAME WAY WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO GET OUR CARS REALIGNED.
IF YOUR CAR IS OUT OF LINE IT IS NOT GOING TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND IN THE LONG RUN, YOU WILL INCUR SOME UNNECESSARY COSTS.
THE SAME IS TRUE WITH OR SPIRITUAL FAITH.
1 COR 2:1-16
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.1Co:2:2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.1Co:2:3: And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.1Co:2:4: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:1Co:2:5: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.1Co:2:6: Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:1Co:2:7: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:1Co:2:8: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.1Co:2:9: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.1Co:2:10: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.1Co:2:11: For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.1Co:2:12: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.1Co:2:13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with piritual.1Co:2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.1Co:2:15: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.1Co:2:16: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
DO NOT BASE YOUR FAITH IN GOD ON THE WISDOM OF MAN
DO NOT BASE YOUR FAITH ON WHAT OTHERS THINK OR SAY
NONE OF US SHOULD BASE OUR FAITH ON MAN’S WISDOM AND PROCEDURES,
DO NOT BASE YOUR FAITH ON HUMAN METHODS
DO NOT BASE YOUR FAITH ON WORLD SYSTEMS,
DO NOT BASE YOUR FAITH ON YOUR TRAINING OR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.
1Tm:6:13
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1Tm:6:13: I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 1Tm:6:14: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:1Tm:6:15: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 1Tm:6:16: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1Tm:6:17: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1Tm:6:18: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Tm:6:19: Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.1Tm:6:20: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:1Tm:6:21: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
YOUR FAITH AND MY FAITH SHOULD STAND AND BE BASED ON THE WISDOM AND THE POWER OF GOD.
FOR HE SAID, I AM EL SHADDAI, THE ALMIGHTY GOD, THE ALL SUFFICIENT GOD AND THE GOD OF MORE THAN ENOUGH.
DRAW CLOSER TO GOD AND HE WILL SHOW YOU, WHO HE REALLY IS.
REALIGN YOUR FAITH WITH HIS POWER AND YOU WILL EXPERIENCE WHO HE IS.
GOD CAN MINISTER TO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE WHETHER PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, OR INTELLECTUAL AND HE CAN DO IT COMPLETELY.
HE IS COMPLETELY CAPABLE AND POWERFUL.
HE SAID TO ABRAM AND SAID TO HIM, “I AM ALMIGHTY GOD; WALK BEFORE ME AND BE BLAMELESS. (NASB) GENESIS 17:1
HE IS TELLING US ALL THE SAME BECAUSE WE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM BY FAITH
MINISTERATION
SONGS “ AH, LORD GOD, THOU HAST MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH BY THY GREAT POWER; AH, LORD GOD, THOU HAST MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH BY THINE OUTSTRETCHED ARM.
NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEE, NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEE; OH, GREAT AND MIGHTY GOD, GREAT IN POWER AND MIGHTY IN DEED, NOTHING, NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEE.
BEHOLD I AM THE LORD
BEHOLD I AM THE LORD, THE GOD OF ALL FLESH
IS THERE ANYTHING , IS THERE ANYTHING, TOO HARD FOR ME X 4