May 19, 2025

Episode 64: El Shaddai

41 minutes

Join Lisa and Laura for our series Names of God. In biblical times, names were of great importance—they conveyed a person’s essence, history, nature, or character. As we explore the various names of God in the Old Testament, we gain insight into His character. With each name, we will learn a new attribute, deepening our understanding of and growing closer to God. In today’s episode, we explore our second name, El Shaddai, which comes from two Hebrew words, “El,” the singular word for God, and Shaddai, meaning “Almighty” or “All-Sufficient.”

Do you believe that God is your Sustainer and has the power to show up in impossible situations and work miracles? Or do you take matters into your own hands when it looks like God isn’t coming through on His promises? Today’s conversation is one of our favorites, and you are encouraged to grab a cold drink, your Bible, settle in, and receive the truth you desperately need to hear: God can do the impossible.

Open your Heart to our key Scripture.

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

Open your Bible to other Scriptures referenced in this episode.

Genesis 12:1–2: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”

Genesis 15:2–3: “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring; and a slave born in my house will be my heir.”

Genesis 15:4: “This man shall not be your heir; your own son shall be your heir.”

Genesis 16

Genesis 17

Genesis 18:12–14: So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Genesis 18:15: But Sarah denied saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Genesis 22

Romans 4:18–21: In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Psalm 91:1–2: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”

Invite Him in with this episode’s questions for reflection.

How is God calling you to trust Him as El Shaddai? Look at that area of life where He is asking you to trust Him and ask yourself whether there’s a root of bitterness in your heart because you feel He is taking too long.

Show mentions.

Walking with Purpose, short Bible studies for summer

Amy Grant, “El Shaddai”

John Parkhurst, Biblical lexicographer

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