Trusting El Shaddai: Faith in Every Season
Summary
In exploring the name El Shaddai, the God who is both Almighty and tenderly caring, we are reminded of our deep need for Him in every season of life. God reveals Himself as El Shaddai in moments of human weakness, uncertainty, and even in times of blessing. The story of Abraham shows us a man burdened by unfulfilled promises, waiting 24 years for God to provide a child. Despite the impossibility of the situation, God’s power and faithfulness shine through, teaching us to cast our anxieties on Him and trust in His timing, even when our circumstances seem hopeless.
Naomi’s journey in the book of Ruth illustrates how burdens, if not surrendered to God, can turn into bitterness. She allowed her grief and loss to harden her heart, blaming God for her pain. Yet, God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating redemption and blessing through Ruth and Boaz, ultimately making Naomi the great-grandmother of King David. This reminds us that God’s plans are often hidden in our pain, and trusting Him can transform our bitterness into joy.
Job’s story takes us to the depths of human suffering. He lost everything—wealth, family, health—and was misunderstood by those closest to him. Yet, even in his confusion and pain, Job clung to faith in El Shaddai, declaring, “Though He slay me, still I will trust Him.” Job’s endurance reveals that God’s ways are higher than ours, and sometimes suffering is not a punishment but a mysterious part of God’s greater plan.
Jacob, on the other hand, experienced the blessing of God’s promises fulfilled after years of loss and heartache. When he finally saw his son Joseph alive and met his grandchildren, Jacob recognized the hand of El Shaddai in his life. His story encourages us to remember God’s faithfulness not only in crisis but also in times of abundance, cultivating a faith that endures in both hardship and blessing.
Whether we are burdened, bitter, beaten down, or blessed, we all need El Shaddai. God’s sovereign strength and tender care are available to us in every circumstance. He invites us to trust Him, to release our anxieties, and to walk with Him in faith, knowing that He is both powerful enough to move mountains and gentle enough to carry us through our darkest valleys.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Promises Often Require Patient Trust
Abraham waited 24 years for God’s promise of a child to be fulfilled, enduring seasons of doubt and impossibility. In our own lives, God’s timing may not align with our expectations, but His faithfulness never fails. We are called to cast our anxieties on Him, trusting that He is both able and willing to provide in ways we cannot imagine. [33:35]
- Unresolved Burdens Can Become Bitterness
Naomi’s grief over her losses led her to blame God, allowing her burdens to harden into bitterness. Yet, God was working behind the scenes to bring about redemption and blessing. When we hold on to pain instead of surrendering it to God, we risk missing the joy and restoration He has planned for us. [41:27]
- Release the Prison of Worry to God’s Care
The heaviest burdens we carry are often the thoughts in our own minds. Like Naomi and many of us, we can waste years imprisoned by worry and bitterness. God invites us to release these burdens to Him, trusting that His care is both strong and tender, freeing us to experience His peace. [47:33]
- Faithfulness in Suffering Reveals God’s Greater Story
Job’s suffering was not a result of hidden sin but part of a cosmic story beyond his understanding. Even when life feels unfair and we are beaten down, God calls us to trust Him, knowing that our faithfulness in suffering can be a testimony to His greatness and a part of His mysterious purposes. [51:20]
- Remember God in Both Hardship and Blessing
Jacob’s recognition of El Shaddai’s hand in his life came not only through trials but also in moments of great blessing. True faith is not just a “foxhole faith” that emerges in crisis, but a daily trust in God’s goodness, whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop. [54:47]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - God’s Identity and Our Need
[03:10] - The Gift Card Scam Story
[06:00] - Life’s Hardships and the Need for God
[09:30] - Introduction to El Shaddai
[12:00] - The Meaning of El Shaddai
[15:00] - God’s Sovereign Strength and Tender Care
[17:30] - Abraham’s Burden and God’s Promise
[21:00] - Waiting on God’s Timing
[24:00] - When Burdens Lead to Bitterness: Naomi’s Story
[29:00] - God’s Redemption in Ruth
[33:00] - The Prison of Worry
[36:00] - Job’s Suffering and Faith
[41:00] - God’s Purposes in Our Pain
[45:00] - Jacob’s Blessing and Remembering El Shaddai
[49:00] - Trusting God in Every Season
[56:32] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: El Shaddai—God Almighty and Tenderly Caring
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### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 17:1-5
_When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.”_
2. Ruth 1:19-21
_So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty [El Shaddai] 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?”_
3. Job 13:15
_Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face._
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 17, what promise does God (El Shaddai) make to Abram, and how long had Abram been waiting for this promise to be fulfilled?
[[33:35]]
2. How does Naomi describe her experience with God after her losses, and what new name does she ask people to call her?
[[41:27]]
3. According to the sermon, how many times is the name El Shaddai used in the book of Job, and what is the main struggle Job faces?
[[47:33]]
4. When Jacob finally sees Joseph and his grandchildren, how does he reflect on God’s faithfulness in his life?
[[54:47]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Abram’s long wait for a child reveal about the nature of God’s promises and our response to waiting?
[[33:35]]
2. How did Naomi’s response to her suffering affect her relationship with God and those around her? What might have changed if she had responded differently?
[[41:27]]
3. In Job’s story, what does his statement “Though he slay me, still I will trust him” show us about faith in the middle of suffering?
[[51:20]]
4. Why is it important to remember God’s faithfulness not only in hard times but also in times of blessing, as seen in Jacob’s story?
[[54:47]]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt burdened by something that seemed impossible, like Abraham waiting for a child. How did you respond? Is there something you are waiting on God for right now? What would it look like to trust God’s timing instead of trying to “fix” it yourself?
[[33:35]]
2. Naomi allowed her pain to turn into bitterness and blamed God for her situation. Are there any burdens or disappointments in your life that you have not surrendered to God? How might holding onto them be affecting your heart or relationships?
[[41:27]]
3. The sermon mentioned that the heaviest burdens we carry are often the thoughts in our own minds. What are some worries or anxieties you tend to hold onto? What practical step could you take this week to “cast your cares” on God?
[[47:33]]
4. Job’s story shows that suffering is not always a punishment for sin, but sometimes part of a bigger story we can’t see. When have you experienced suffering that didn’t make sense? How did you respond, and what helped (or would have helped) you trust God in that season?
[[51:20]]
5. Jacob recognized God’s hand in both his hardships and his blessings. Do you find it easier to seek God in crisis or in times of abundance? What are some ways you can remember and thank God for His faithfulness when things are going well?
[[54:47]]
6. The sermon talked about “foxhole faith”—only turning to God in emergencies. What are some daily habits or reminders you could build into your life to walk with God in both the valleys and the mountaintops?
[[54:47]]
7. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to experience both God’s strength and His tender care? How can the group pray for you in that area this week?
[[39:22]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to share any burdens, worries, or blessings they want to bring before El Shaddai, and pray together for trust in God’s timing, release from bitterness, and faithfulness in every season.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Sovereign Strength and Tender Care (El Shaddai)
God reveals Himself as El Shaddai—God Almighty—whose power is unmatched and whose care is deeply nurturing. He is both the One who stands outside of space, time, and matter, able to create and destroy, and the One who provides for His people with the tender care of a mother nourishing her child. In every season of life, whether in hardship or blessing, God’s sovereign strength and gentle provision are available to all who seek Him. Trusting in El Shaddai means believing that God is both able and willing to meet your deepest needs, even when circumstances seem impossible. [29:27]
Genesis 17:1-2 (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, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust both God’s power and His tender care today, instead of relying on your own strength or understanding?
Day 2: Casting Burdens on God in Prayer
When life’s burdens feel overwhelming and God’s promises seem delayed, the invitation is to bring every anxiety and worry to God in prayer. Rather than holding onto your concerns or letting them fester, you are called to cast them on the Lord, trusting that He cares for you and will provide peace that surpasses understanding. Prayer is not just a ritual but an act of faith, a way to release your burdens and experience God’s supernatural peace even in the midst of waiting or uncertainty. [37:47]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
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 specific worry or burden can you bring to God in prayer right now, trusting Him to care for you and give you peace?
Day 3: Releasing Bitterness and Trusting God’s Plan
Burdens that are not released to God can turn into bitterness, as seen in Naomi’s story. When pain and loss come, it is easy to blame God and allow a bitter spirit to take root, but God’s plan is often unfolding in ways we cannot see. Even in seasons of emptiness or disappointment, God is working for your good, and trusting Him can free you from the prison of bitterness. Instead of holding onto hurt, choose to trust that El Shaddai is at work, bringing restoration and blessing in His time. [43:19]
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 you have allowed to turn into bitterness? How can you begin to release it to God and trust His greater plan?
Day 4: Trusting God When You Are Beat Down
Job’s story reminds us that suffering is not always the result of personal sin, and that even the righteous can be deeply afflicted. In the midst of loss, pain, and confusion, Job chose to trust God, declaring, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him.” When you are beat down by life and don’t understand why, you are invited to trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, knowing that He is working in ways beyond your understanding and that your faith in Him is never wasted. [51:20]
Job 13:15 (ESV)
Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.
Reflection: When you face suffering or hardship that doesn’t make sense, how can you choose to trust God’s character and hold onto hope, even without answers?
Day 5: Remembering God in Times of Blessing
It is easy to seek God in times of crisis, but just as important to remember and trust Him when life is going well. Jacob, after years of loss and grief, recognized God’s faithfulness and blessing in his old age, giving thanks for the restoration and joy he never expected. In seasons of blessing, do not forget your need for God Almighty; let gratitude and trust deepen as you acknowledge that every good thing comes from His hand. Trusting God in the sunlight prepares your heart for whatever may come. [54:47]
Genesis 48:3-4 (ESV)
And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’”
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally remember and thank God for His blessings today, acknowledging your ongoing need for Him even in good times?
Quotes
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