El Shaddai: Trusting God's Sufficiency in Our Needs

Summary

Today’s focus is on the name of God: El Shaddai—God Almighty, the One who is more than enough. This name is not just a theological concept, but a lifeline for real life, revealing both the vastness and the nearness of God. El Shaddai is the God who is all-powerful, able to destroy nations, yet also the nurturing parent who lovingly supplies every need of His children. The dual meaning of “Shaddai”—both destroyer and nourisher—reminds us that God’s might is always paired with His mercy and care.

We explored how El Shaddai meets us in our deepest needs by looking at three biblical figures: Abraham, Naomi, and Job. Abraham was burdened by unfulfilled promises and his own failed attempts to solve his problems. Yet, God met him not with condemnation, but with assurance: “I am El Shaddai.” Naomi, embittered by loss and disappointment, saw God as the destroyer, but her story reveals that even in bitterness, God is working out a greater plan for redemption. Job, beaten down by suffering, chose to trust El Shaddai even when everything was stripped away, declaring, “The Lord gives and takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

These stories show that we are not self-sufficient. We are finite, needy, and often overwhelmed by burdens, bitterness, or suffering. But God invites us to stop pretending we have it all together and to bring our needs to Him first. He does not require us to fix our problems before coming to Him; instead, He delights in supplying what we lack. The call is to honesty and humility—admitting our weakness and trusting in God’s sufficiency.

The challenge is to surrender what we cannot fix, to bring God into our troubles first, and to trust that nothing is too hard for Him. Just as God supplied Abraham and Sarah with a child when it was humanly impossible, He is able to supply all our needs according to His riches. The question for each of us is: Will we trust El Shaddai to be our supply, our sustainer, and our more-than-enough?

Key Takeaways

- God’s Power Is Paired with Tenderness
El Shaddai is both the Almighty who can destroy and the nurturing parent who supplies. This duality means that God’s power is never distant or cold; it is always exercised with loving care for His people. When we feel overwhelmed by His greatness, we must also remember His nearness and compassion. [07:32]

- Our Burdens Are Invitations to God’s Sufficiency
Like Abraham, we often try to solve our problems in our own strength, only to find ourselves more burdened. God does not shame us for our failures or burdens; instead, He invites us to bring them to Him, promising rest and supply. Our limitations are not obstacles, but opportunities to experience God’s sufficiency. [16:10]

- Bitterness Can Blind Us to God’s Redemptive Work
Naomi’s story shows how pain and disappointment can lead to bitterness, causing us to misinterpret God’s actions as destructive. Yet, even in seasons of loss, God is weaving a greater story of redemption that we may not see in the moment. The challenge is to let suffering make us better, not bitter, trusting that God’s purposes are always good. [21:08]

- True Faith Surrenders Control and Trusts God’s Timing
Job’s response to suffering was not to curse God, but to trust Him even when he did not understand. Faith means surrendering our need to control outcomes and trusting that God is both able and willing to supply what we need, in His time and way. This surrender is the heart of worship and the mark of mature faith. [25:01]

- Honesty and Humility Open the Door to God’s Provision
We are not as strong or as smart as we think; pretending otherwise only isolates us from God’s help. When we honestly admit our need and humbly bring our troubles to God first, we position ourselves to receive His supply. Nothing is too hard for El Shaddai, and He delights in meeting us at the point of our greatest need. [29:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:57] - The Berlin Airlift: A Picture of God’s Supply
[04:59] - God’s Invitation to Know Him as El Shaddai
[07:32] - The Meaning of El Shaddai: Power and Nurture
[10:43] - Why God’s Name Matters for Us
[12:32] - Our Neediness vs. God’s Sufficiency
[13:29] - Abraham: Burdened by Unfulfilled Promises
[16:10] - God’s Gentle Response to Our Burdens
[17:50] - Naomi: Bitterness in Loss
[21:08] - God’s Redemptive Plan in Suffering
[23:26] - Job: Beaten Down but Trusting
[25:01] - Choosing Faith in the Midst of Suffering
[28:20] - The Call to Honesty and Humility
[31:10] - Trusting El Shaddai, Not Ourselves
[33:29] - Bringing God into Our Troubles First
[35:21] - Surrendering What We Cannot Fix
[38:55] - Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?
[40:45] - Seeking God First in All Things

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: El Shaddai—God Almighty, More Than Enough

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### Bible Reading

- Genesis 17:1-8
(God reveals Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai and promises to fulfill His covenant.)

- Ruth 1:20-21
(Naomi expresses her bitterness, naming God as El Shaddai in her suffering.)

- Job 1:20-22; Job 5:17
(Job’s response to suffering and his reference to God as El Shaddai.)

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 17, what is Abraham’s situation when God introduces Himself as El Shaddai? What specific promise does God make to Abraham at this moment?
[13:29]

2. How does Naomi describe her experience with God in Ruth 1:20-21? What name does she use for God, and what does it reveal about her feelings?
[17:50]

3. According to the sermon, how many times is the name El Shaddai used in the book of Job, and what is the significance of this repetition?
[23:26]

4. What two contrasting meanings does the name “Shaddai” carry, and how do they shape our understanding of God’s character?
[07:32]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does God choose to reveal Himself as El Shaddai to Abraham specifically when Abraham is burdened by unfulfilled promises and failed attempts to solve his own problems?
[13:29]

2. Naomi interprets her suffering as God acting as a “destroyer.” How does the broader story of Ruth challenge or expand this interpretation of God’s actions?
[21:08]

3. Job’s response to suffering is to bless the name of the Lord, even when everything is taken from him. What does this reveal about the kind of faith God desires from His people?
[25:01]

4. The sermon says, “We are not as strong or as smart as we think; pretending otherwise only isolates us from God’s help.” Why is honesty and humility so important in experiencing God as El Shaddai?
[29:33]

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “stop pretending that we are fine.” When someone asks how you’re doing, are you honest about your needs and struggles, or do you tend to hide them? What would it look like to be more open about your burdens this week?
[31:56]

2. Abraham and Sarah tried to solve their problems on their own before turning to God. Can you think of a recent situation where you tried to “be your own El Shaddai”? What happened, and what might have changed if you had brought God into your trouble first?
[35:21]

3. Naomi’s bitterness blinded her to God’s redemptive work. Is there an area of your life where disappointment or loss has made you bitter? How might God be working behind the scenes for your good, even if you can’t see it right now?
[21:08]

4. Job chose to trust God even when he didn’t understand. Is there something in your life right now that you don’t understand or can’t fix? What would it look like to surrender control and trust God’s timing and sufficiency?
[25:01]

5. The sermon says, “Our burdens are invitations to God’s sufficiency.” What is one specific burden you are carrying right now? How can you bring it to God this week, practically and honestly?
[16:10]

6. The question was asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” What is one area of your life where you have doubted God’s ability to provide or intervene? How can you remind yourself of God’s power and nearness in that area?
[38:55]

7. The pastor mentioned that God delights in supplying what we lack. How does this truth challenge the way you approach prayer and dependence on God? What is one way you can practice greater humility and dependence on God this week?
[29:33]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to name a specific area where they need to trust El Shaddai, and pray for one another to experience God as “more than enough” in those places.

Devotional

Day 1: El Shaddai—God Almighty, More Than Enough

God reveals Himself as El Shaddai, the all-powerful and all-sufficient One who is both mighty to act and tender to care for His people. He is not distant or abstract, but intimately involved, longing to supply every need—spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical. Just as a mother nourishes her child, God delights in providing for His children, inviting us to trust Him with every concern and to know that He is more than enough for whatever burdens we carry. [07:40]

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: What is one area of your life where you feel you lack supply or strength? Will you bring that specific need to El Shaddai today, trusting Him to be more than enough?


Day 2: God’s Sufficiency in Our Burdens—Learning from Abraham

Like Abraham, we often find ourselves burdened by circumstances, waiting on promises, or even facing the consequences of our own attempts to solve problems apart from God. Yet, God does not shame or condemn us for our burdens; instead, He invites us to bring them to Him, promising rest and provision. Even when we have tried to be our own provider and failed, God remains faithful, ready to supply what we cannot achieve on our own, and to fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. [16:10]

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Reflection: Where have you tried to be your own provider or fix your own problems? How can you surrender these burdens to God and trust Him to provide?


Day 3: From Bitterness to Better—Naomi’s Story

Naomi’s journey in the book of Ruth shows how deep disappointment and loss can lead to bitterness, even to the point of feeling that God is against us. Yet, God’s plans are often bigger than our pain, and what seems like calamity can become the foundation for future blessing. God invites us not to let suffering make us bitter, but to trust that He is working for our good, even when we cannot see it, and to allow Him to transform our pain into a testimony of His faithfulness. [21:44]

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: Is there a disappointment or loss in your life that has made you bitter? What would it look like to invite God to use that pain for a greater purpose?


Day 4: Trusting God When Beaten Down—Job’s Example

Job’s story reminds us that even when life is at its hardest and we feel beaten down by suffering, God remains El Shaddai—the One who gives and takes away, yet is always worthy of our trust and worship. Rather than cursing God or turning away in despair, Job chose to bless the name of the Lord, believing that God’s discipline and sovereignty are ultimately for our good. In our own trials, we are invited to trust God’s heart, even when we do not understand His hand, and to worship Him as the One who is always enough. [25:01]

Job 5:17 (ESV)
Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.

Reflection: When have you felt beaten down by circumstances? How can you choose to trust and worship God, even when you don’t have all the answers?


Day 5: Stop Pretending—Bring God Into Your Troubles First

We are often tempted to pretend we are fine or to try to fix our problems on our own, but true spiritual growth begins with honesty and humility. God calls us to stop pretending, to admit our need, and to bring our troubles to Him first—not as a last resort. He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus, and nothing is too hard for Him. Today, let go of self-sufficiency and invite God into every area of your life, trusting Him to do what only He can do. [35:21]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one struggle you have been trying to handle on your own? Will you take a step today to bring it honestly to God in prayer, trusting Him to supply what you need?

Quotes

Friends, this morning, we are reminded that though God is El Shaddai, we are not. we don't have what we need. We don't have what we want. We are filled in our lives with concerns, with trials and troubles and needs, and we walk into every day of our life concerned about a great many things. Why? Because unlike God, we are not all -knowing. Unlike God, we are not all -powerful. Unlike God, we have lots of needs, concerns, fears, worries, and anxieties. And so we need to see this God revealed for who He is. We don't have enough. And so we turn to the God who says, I am more than enough. [00:12:32] (00:00:53 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus says in the Gospels, he says what we all should do. He says, come to me, all who are burdened. Come to me, all who are heavy laden. And he says, come to me so I can beat you up, so I can mock you, so I can judge you. No, he says, come to me so that I can give you what you can't give yourself, so I can be El Shaddai, so I can, he says, come to me, all who are burdened, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. I'll give you what you need. I'll give you that which your life is lacking. You can go to El Shaddai and know that he will receive you. [00:17:15] (00:00:45 seconds) Edit Clip

We are not smart enough and we are not strong enough to address, listen to me, a single thing that's going to happen to us today. Not a single thing. We don't have what it takes to live this life relationally, financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually. We don't have any of it. [00:29:40] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip

If I can't trust myself, if I can't trust my own circumstances, if I can't trust my body, if I can't trust my intellect, if I can't trust my finances that are here today and gone tomorrow, if I can't trust my life, that which is a vapor, then I have to trust somebody. And friends, what I am here communicating to you is it is time for each of us to trust El Shaddai. Because we don't have it. [00:30:39] (00:00:33 seconds) Edit Clip

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Friends, when we introduce...ourselves and we align ourselves and we become intimate with El Shaddai, our response as we see God show up in the big things and in the small things of life that he shows up and supplies far beyond anything we could imagine or comprehend, we will say as God has, as I have numerous times, is there anything too hard for God? [00:39:51] (00:00:41 seconds) Edit Clip

But when we put God into the equation, we will know that there is nothing that God is not able to address, that he longs to bring to you the answer that will take care of all of your fears, all of your anxieties, all of your worries, and he wants to do it because he loves you and because he's got a good and perfect plan for you. [00:40:45] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

God has revealed himself and he longs for you to bring him first and foremost into everything that you do. Will you welcome that air supply from above that doesn't just sustain a war ravaged city for 15 months, but is a sustainer and supplier that is there to give you all that you need? And all he asks is this, seek me first and my kingdom. Would you do that this morning? [00:41:18] (00:00:32 seconds) Edit Clip