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bigmike

When your resources run out
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai (God Almighty); walk before me, and be blameless. – Genesis 17:1
In Genesis, God introduces Himself as El Shaddai, meaning God Almighty, at moments when His people are painfully aware of their limitations.
God speaks as El Shaddai to Abraham when time is no longer on his side. Abraham is old. Sarah is barren. The promise of descendants feels not just delayed, but impossible (Genesis 17:1).
Later, God uses the same name as He deepens His relationship with Jacob. Jacob’s family is fractured, messy, and his future uncertain. Yet, God meets him with the reassurance “I am God Almighty… be fruitful and increase” (Genesis 35:11). It’s as if God is saying, “your weakness doesn’t cancel my promise.”
Here’s the pattern I’m seeing: When the promises God gives us feel impossible, he reminds us of who he is: “God Almighty.”
You don’t need to try harder. You don’t need to figure it all out. El Shaddai means God is powerful enough to do what you cannot, and faithful enough to finish what He starts.
When your resources run out, His don’t. When your strength fails, His doesn’t flicker. You don’t need a backup plan when you belong to the Almighty. You just need trust.
Prayer: El Shaddai, help me accept my limits and trust you in the places where I feel weak.
Reflect: Where are you still trying to carry what only El Shaddai can handle?
Lina Abujamra

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