El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El-Elyon na Adonai
Age to age You’re still the same
By the power of the Name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamka na Adonai
We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai
Through Your love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
Through the power of Your hand
Turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God who really sees
And by Your might
You set Your children free
Through the years You made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Though the people failed to see
What Messiah ought to be
Though Your Word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son
Michael Card
written along with John Thompson
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We are most identified by characteristics and names that identify who we are. For example, who I am—Coleen—can be described in many ways: wife, mom, tata (grandmother), daughter, sister, friend, worshipper, singer, baker, writer, pray-er, crafter, lover, listener, etc. But The Great I AM has described Himself throughout the Scriptures with many names—Yahweh (YHWH), ELohim, Adonai, LORD, Jehovah, JAH, EL Shaddai…. I believe He has used these (and additional) names to graciously help us to understand more of His character. The Great I AM makes Himself known to us through the words of His Word, as well as through His Creation, through His Spirit, through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, through the words of the prophets—in oh so many ways!
One of my most favorite characteristics of I AM is that He IS God Almighty…El Shaddai. Hearing this name brings comfort and peace to my heart! The fact and truth that Almighty God/El Shaddai loves me (and you, too!) and perfectly provides His care, provision, protection, supply of my (your!) needs is so thrilling to my soul! The most common understanding of the title El Shaddai is “God Who is Almighty.” There are 48 times in the Scriptures where God calls Himself by the name El Shaddai. Let’s look at just a couple of these records.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old,
the Lord appeared to him and said,
I AM the Almighty God <El Shaddai>;
walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect.
Genesis 17:1
This is the very first record in the Scriptures where I AM identifies Himself in this way. God Almighty/El Shaddai was about to reveal to Abram a part of the covenant He was making with him. And this is where He promises the 99 year old Abram that he and his 90 year old wife, Sarai, would be having a son!!! This is such a beautiful record! (You can read the complete record here.) Only El Shaddai could have made an eternal covenant such as this. Only El Shaddai could have made a deadened womb to nurture life and bring forth a baby. Only El Shaddai — God Almighty!
Another occurrence where the Great I AM is called by the title El Shaddai is in Psalm 91. The psalmist declares,
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty <El Shaddai>.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my Refuge and my Fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalms 91: 1-2
Perhaps you, too, rejoice in your heart of hearts that El Shaddai, Who is the Great I AM, loves and cares for you in the very same ways He has always cared for His people. He is God and He does not change.
Would you share here in the comments below about this characteristic (or a different one) of the Great I AM that is important to you? I would love to hear about it!
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Almighty God, El Shaddai, we praise You and thank You and love You with our whole hearts! You always show Yourself mighty on behalf of Your children! You are our Refuge and our Fortress—our God in Whom we trust! May we always be cognizant of Who You are…the Great I AM. May we be excited to read of and to remember Your awesome acts and works that are recorded in the Scriptures. May they ever and always encourage us to never doubt You, El Shaddai—You never change! ‘Erkamka na, Adonai!’ Praying in Your Son, Jesus’ name. Amen.
Erkamka na, Adonai! ~ translated~ I love You, Lord!
