When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lᴏʀᴅ appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).

The names of God often point us to the ways He relates to His people. The name “God Almighty” in the Old Testament is a translation of the two Hebrew words El and Shaddai. El means “all-powerful.” Shaddai means “breast.” When these two words are combined, they mean “He is the all-powerful One who satisfies, nourishes, and sustains us.”

Abram had a hard time believing that the Lord would give him a son in his old age. He was 99 years old, and Sarai, his wife, was 90. God spoke to Abram and said He would give Sarai and him a son even though both were well beyond child-bearing ages. El Shaddai brought life to their old bodies, and Sarai became the mother of Isaac (Genesis 17:15-16,19; 21:1-3).

Discouragement and disappointment are twins of the same parents—difficult circumstances and adversity. Expectations about life can be dashed when contrary circumstances hit. When you face times like these, you don’t want to hear pious platitudes. You need real solutions. 

At such times, God Almighty shows up on your scene. He is the ultimate life-changer. What He promises, He will fulfill.

When you focus on yourself, you’ll experience disappointments and weaknesses. But God hasn’t left you alone! He is El Shaddai, the God who sustains and nourishes you—not by your strength, but by His life-giving strength. He is utterly faithful in all His ways. 

Because He is El Shaddai, He is worthy of your complete trust.

Prayer: God Almighty, bring me new life to defeat my weariness and discouragement. Do great things in me. Be El Shaddai in my life.

Discover more about God's awe-inspiring character in Experiencing God by His Names.