Believe and Speak--Father Almighty

 

Genesis 17:1-2 

Genesis 35:11

Deuteronomy 10:17

Malachi 2:10

Acts 17:24-27

1 Corinthians 8:5-6

Revelation 1:8

2 Corinthians 4:13

In Hebrew, El-Shaddai--the word for God Almighty--means "The God Who Is More Than Enough". 💖 The first time we see God refer to Himself by this name is in Genesis 17:1-2.  God invites Abram to walk before Him and accept the promise He offers.  Abram's response is to fall down in worship. It's a life-changing and name-changing moment for Abram, now Abraham.  Again, in Genesis 35, God is making a covenant with Jacob. He uses the name "The God Who is More Than Enough", and changes Jacob's name to Israel.   God gave Moses the law on two tablets of stone; Moses promptly broke the tablets in anger and shock at all that the Israelites--including his own brother-- had done in his absence.  God makes a new set of tablets, and reaches out -- The God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God Himself--with a heart set in love toward unfaithful Israel.  The heart of a Father uniting His children.  Paul continues this theme in Acts, when he stands in a public meeting place and questions why the people want to worship an "unknown god", when the God who made the world is More Than Enough.  And He's not a God far-off, He's a God near; our Father FROM whom all things and FOR whom all things exist.  This More Than Enough God is timeless and eternal, mighty enough to hold the whole world in His hand.

I love the imagery of "Father" "Almighty".  These verses change me by seeing both aspects of His character.   Who but Almighty God has More Than Enough power to hold the whole world--all things from Genesis and Revelation and beyond? Who but our Father has the right to name us, and rename us, according to His promise and heart set toward us in love?  We believe He does all of this, and He does it well.  Let's respond like Abram/Abraham, falling on our face in worship.  Then let's respond like Paul- "This I speak to you!" That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find  Him. We believe, and so we speak.