El Shaddai: God's Sufficiency in Our Weakness
Summary
Today begins a journey into the names of God, exploring how each one reveals not just theological truths, but lifelines for real life. These names are not abstract; they are deeply relational, meant to anchor us in times of fear, uncertainty, and even in our victories. The focus today is on El Shaddai—God Almighty, the God who is more than enough. This name is a promise: not only of who God is, but of what He will do for His people. Like the Berlin Airlift that supplied a besieged city from above, God is our divine airlift, supplying, sustaining, and strengthening us when we have no other source.
El Shaddai is a name rich with meaning. “El” speaks of God’s unmatched power, His sovereignty, and His glory on full display. He is the One who commands nature, conquers kings, and speaks galaxies into existence. Yet, “Shaddai” brings a relational depth, likened to a mother nurturing her child. God’s power is not distant or destructive, but nurturing and sustaining. He is not just enough for Himself; He shares His sufficiency with us, especially in our need.
This name matters because it reveals both God’s nature and our own. We are finite, frail, and faulty—burdened by life, embittered by loss, and beaten down by circumstances. The stories of Abraham, Naomi, and Job illustrate this: Abraham was burdened by unfulfilled promises and his own mistakes; Naomi was embittered by loss; Job was beaten down by suffering. Yet, in each case, El Shaddai met them not with condemnation, but with provision, purpose, and presence. God’s sufficiency is not just a doctrine to study, but an invitation to bring our burdens, bitterness, and brokenness to Him.
Recognizing El Shaddai calls for humility. We must admit we are not as strong or wise as we think, and that we cannot fix what truly matters. Instead, we are invited to stop pretending we’re fine, to bring God into our troubles first, and to surrender what we cannot fix. Nothing is too hard for El Shaddai. Just as He provided for our greatest need—salvation through Jesus—He longs to meet us in every situation, if only we will trust and invite Him in.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Power Is Matched by His Nurture
El Shaddai combines the might of the Creator with the tenderness of a nurturing parent. God’s power is not cold or distant; it is deeply relational, aimed at sustaining and nourishing His people. This means that God’s sufficiency is not just for Himself, but is generously shared with us in our need. [06:59]
- Our Weakness Is the Gateway to God’s Sufficiency
The stories of Abraham, Naomi, and Job show that God meets us in our frailty, not our strength. When we are burdened, embittered, or beaten down, God does not chastise us but invites us to rest in His sufficiency. Our limitations are not obstacles to God, but invitations for Him to display His power and faithfulness. [14:17]
- God’s Sufficiency Transforms Bitterness and Brokenness
Naomi’s story reminds us that even in seasons of deep loss and bitterness, God is at work for a greater purpose. What feels like calamity may be the soil for God’s redemptive plan, as seen in Ruth’s lineage leading to Christ. Trusting El Shaddai means believing that our pain is not wasted, but can be transformed for His glory and our good. [18:09]
- Surrender Is the Posture That Unlocks God’s Provision
Abraham’s encounter with El Shaddai came when he had nothing left to give. True freedom and provision come when we stop pretending we have it all together and surrender our inability to God. It is in this posture of humility and dependence that God’s sufficiency is most clearly seen and experienced. [27:05]
- God Invites Us to Bring Our Needs to Him First
Like the child in “Leave It to Beaver,” we often try to fix our problems on our own, only to make things worse. El Shaddai calls us to bring our troubles to Him first, trusting that He is both willing and able to do what we cannot. This is not just for our daily struggles, but for our deepest need—our salvation—where God has already proven Himself more than enough. [31:12]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Series Introduction: The Name Above All Names
[03:14] - The Berlin Airlift: A Picture of Divine Provision
[04:34] - The Meaning of El Shaddai: Power and Nurture
[06:59] - The Relational Richness of God’s Name
[08:12] - Why El Shaddai Matters for Us
[10:50] - Abraham’s Burden and God’s Promise
[13:04] - God’s Response to Our Failures
[14:17] - Jesus’ Invitation to the Weary
[15:30] - Naomi’s Bitterness and God’s Plan
[16:57] - God’s Purpose in Our Pain
[18:09] - Ruth, Redemption, and the Line of Christ
[19:43] - Job: Beaten Down but Not Forsaken
[21:35] - The Need for a Helper and Sustainer
[22:52] - Responding to El Shaddai: Humility and Dependence
[25:34] - Three Actions: Stop Pretending, Start Inviting, Surrender
[28:24] - Learning from Leave It to Beaver
[31:12] - Surrendering the Impossible to God
[33:45] - El Shaddai and Our Salvation
[35:19] - Invitation to Surrender and Trust
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Name Above All Names – El Shaddai
---
### Bible Reading
- Genesis 17:1-8
(God appears to Abram and reveals Himself as El Shaddai, God Almighty.)
- Ruth 1:19-21
(Naomi returns to Bethlehem and expresses her bitterness, referencing “the Almighty.”)
- Job 5:17-18
(“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 17:1, what is the first thing God says to Abram when He appears to him at age 99? What does this reveal about God’s timing and Abram’s situation?
[[13:04]]
2. When Naomi returns to Bethlehem in Ruth 1:20-21, what does she say about the Almighty (El Shaddai) and her circumstances? How does she describe her feelings?
[[16:57]]
3. According to the sermon, how is the meaning of “El Shaddai” different from just “El”? What relational aspect does “Shaddai” add to our understanding of God?
[[06:59]]
4. In the story of Job, how many times is the name El Shaddai used, and what is the main context in which it appears?
[[18:09]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God choose to reveal Himself as El Shaddai to people like Abraham, Naomi, and Job—people who are burdened, bitter, or beaten down? What does this say about God’s character?
[[08:12]]
2. The sermon compares God’s provision to the Berlin Airlift, supplying what people could not get for themselves. How does this illustration help us understand what it means for God to be “more than enough” in our lives?
[[03:14]]
3. The pastor said that our weakness is the gateway to God’s sufficiency. Why is it important to recognize our own limitations before we can experience God’s provision?
[[22:52]]
4. Naomi believed the Almighty had brought calamity upon her, yet God was working out a bigger plan through her pain. How does this challenge our perspective on suffering and God’s purposes?
[[18:09]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that God’s power is matched by His nurture, like a mother caring for her child. When you think about God, do you tend to see Him as powerful but distant, or as nurturing and close? How does the name El Shaddai challenge or encourage you?
[[06:59]]
2. Abraham tried to solve his problems on his own and only made things worse. Can you think of a time when you tried to “fix” a situation without bringing it to God first? What happened, and what would it look like to invite God in from the start next time?
[[28:24]]
3. The pastor said, “We need to stop pretending we’re fine.” Is there an area of your life right now where you are pretending to be okay, but you’re actually struggling? What would it look like to be honest with God and others about it?
[[27:05]]
4. Naomi’s story shows that God can transform bitterness and loss into something redemptive. Are you carrying any bitterness or disappointment with God or others? What would it look like to surrender that to El Shaddai?
[[16:57]]
5. The sermon encouraged us to surrender what we cannot fix. What is one specific situation in your life right now that feels impossible or out of your control? How can you practically surrender this to God this week?
[[31:12]]
6. The pastor said, “Nothing is too hard for El Shaddai.” Is there something you have stopped praying about because it seems too hard or hopeless? What would it look like to trust God with it again?
[[32:24]]
7. God’s sufficiency is not just for our daily needs, but for our salvation. How does remembering what God has already done for you in Christ help you trust Him with your current struggles?
[[33:45]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to silently name a burden, bitterness, or area of brokenness, and then pray together, asking El Shaddai to be more than enough in each situation.
Devotional
Day 1: God Is El Shaddai—All-Powerful and All-Sufficient
God reveals Himself as El Shaddai, the Almighty, whose power is unmatched and whose sufficiency knows no bounds. He is not just a distant, powerful deity but also deeply relational, nurturing, and sustaining His people like a loving parent. In every season—whether in triumph or trial—He is the source of all we need, inviting us to rely on Him rather than our own strength. When we are overwhelmed by life’s chaos, He is the airlift from above, supplying, sustaining, and strengthening us when we invite Him in. [06:59]
Genesis 17:1 (ESV)
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.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and instead invite El Shaddai to supply what you truly need today?
Day 2: God Meets Us in Our Burdens, Bitterness, and Brokenness
El Shaddai does not come to chastise or belittle us in our failures or burdens, but to meet us with compassion and sufficiency. Whether we are burdened like Abraham, bitter like Naomi, or beaten down like Job, God’s heart is to nurture, restore, and bring purpose out of our pain. Even when we feel empty or angry, He is working a greater plan, inviting us to bring our honest struggles to Him and trust that He can turn our bitterness into blessing. [18:09]
Ruth 1:20-21 (ESV)
She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
Reflection: What pain or bitterness are you carrying that you need to honestly bring before El Shaddai, trusting Him to work His purpose even in your hardest moments?
Day 3: We Are Not Enough—But God Is
Recognizing our own frailty, limitations, and inability to control life is the first step toward experiencing the sufficiency of El Shaddai. We are not as strong, wise, or self-sufficient as we often pretend to be, but God is all-sufficient and invites us to bring our needs to Him. When we stop pretending and humbly admit our need, we open ourselves to receive His provision, guidance, and strength for every area of life. [25:34]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Reflection: What is one area where you need to stop pretending you have it all together and instead humbly ask God for His help?
Day 4: Bring God Into Your Troubles First
Instead of trying to fix our problems on our own and making things worse, we are called to bring our troubles to God first. Like Abraham, who could not solve his own dilemma, we are invited to stop relying on our own solutions and instead trust in God’s repeated promise: “I will.” God desires to be our first response, not our last resort, and He is able to do what we cannot. [31:12]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one specific trouble you are facing right now that you need to bring to God first, rather than trying to fix it yourself?
Day 5: Surrender the Impossible to God
There are problems in life that we simply cannot fix, no matter how hard we try. El Shaddai invites us to surrender what is impossible for us, trusting that nothing is too hard for Him. When we let go and trust Him with what we cannot control—including our salvation—He is faithful to do what only He can do, turning impossibility into testimony. [32:24]
Genesis 18:14 (ESV)
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.
Reflection: What is one “impossible” situation you need to surrender to God today, believing that nothing is too hard for El Shaddai?
Quotes
When we grasp the name El Shaddai, it will free us. It will free us of worry. It will free us of anxiety. It will free us of micromanaging because we stop trying to be God and we let God be God. And we start trusting who he already is. [00:22:28] (20 seconds)
Is anything too hard for the Lord? And the answer with El Shaddai is nothing. Nothing is too hard. The answer for us is everything is too hard. [00:32:50] (15 seconds)
So maybe this morning you're burdened. Maybe this morning you're bitter. Maybe this morning you feel so beaten down. Remember, Christian, that you have a God who came through for your salvation. He's the God who wants to come through for you in this situation. [00:35:05] (20 seconds)
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