El Shaddai

When we look at Genesis 17, who is the star of the show?  Throughout the Old Testament there are great examples of people walking under the powerful wings of God.  Yet so often people read about what Abraham did and Joseph did and all those who received the promises of God and then they magnify the act rather than the source. What they did was simple because they did just one simple thing – relied on God’s all-sufficiency and power to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of.

What was going on around Abraham was Abraham’s culture and challenges. The same was true of Joseph. None of these men were gods. They were examples because they  knew and applied the heart of God to their particular situations. God doesn’t want us to roam around the Arabian Peninsula or mosey around Egypt to exhibit our believing.  He wants us to look to Him in the details of our own lives with believing expectation and confidence.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

The word “perfect” does not really mean what we think it means (Thank God for that!). If you look at the Hebrew word, this word means whole, sound, or complete.

Somethings in life are challenging, BUT God is our all-sufficiency. He is our El-Shaddai! We live in a different era than Abraham or Joseph. We live in the grace administration. This is a uniquely powerful time to live. Through the work of Jesus Christ we have unlimited resources. Our lives are laid out in
Ephesians 3:20.

 Now unto him (God) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

So what is our need? Job? Place to live? Relationship? Please don’t go stoic on God, he doesn’t need you to do a ton of  pious sacrifices to prove your love. Just believe that He truly is your sufficiency!