“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am El-Shaddai—God Almighty.” – Genesis 17:1 NLT
Names are so powerful. They’re how we identify with and relate to one another, but also how we celebrate our uniqueness and individuality. Your name is often the first thing you mention when you meet someone new. Sometimes the meaning of your name may even correspond with a quality of your personality, like strength or faithfulness.
Names are personal. When someone says your name, you feel seen and known.
In our passage today, God identifies Himself as El-Shaddai—God Almighty. This isn’t God’s personal name, which, as we learned in yesterday’s devotional, is YHWH (or, I AM WHO I AM). At this point in the story, God hasn’t yet revealed that name. But El-Shaddai is a name for God, and there’s a lot we can learn about Him from this name.
It’s significant that God identifies Himself first, and then tells Abram what’s expected of him: Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.
Why is this so significant? Because before God calls us to do anything for Him, He calls us to know Him. Our God—the One who spoke all of creation into existence—wants us to know Him. Not just about Him, but to know Him personally.
God wants Abram to know that He is God Almighty, all-sufficient, all-powerful, and able to abundantly pour out blessings on His people. And the same is still true today! Abram’s blessing would come in the form of innumerable descendants—descendants who would one day become the nation of Israel.
It’s an amazing thing when God chooses to reveal Himself to His people. It reminds us that God isn’t distant or impersonal; quite the opposite, actually. He desires intimate connection with His beloved sons and daughters. And even though on this side of eternity we’ll never fully plumb the depths of His beauty and majesty and holiness and sovereignty, we’re not left completely in the dark about who He is, either.
Through reading God’s Word, we discover so much about His character. In discovering His character, we discover more about who we are, and what God wants for and from us.
God said to Abram, Know Me, and I will equip you to serve Me as the father of many nations.
God said to Moses, Know Me, and I will equip you to serve Me as you lead My people out of slavery.
God never changes. Which means the God who promised to be with Abram and Moses, El-Shaddai who was all-sufficient, all-powerful, and capable of pouring out blessings on His people then, is the same all-sufficient, all-powerful God who lives inside of you.
And just as He said to Abram and Moses, God says to you: Know Me, and I will equip you to serve Me as you live into everything I’ve called you to do.
