This post is part of the series The Names of God.

Genesis 17:1–2 (ESV) — 1 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, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”

God appeared to Abraham and said, “I am God Almighty.” The Hebrew name is El Shaddai. This name speaks of God’s great power. Theologians speak of omnipotence. God is all-powerful. He can do whatever he chooses to do. In the case of Abraham, he could make a ninety-nine year old man with no descendants into a great nation that would bless all the nations of the earth.

When Sarah heard the news that she would have a child in her old age, she laughed at such a notion. In response, the LORD asked, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” The implied answer is “No.” What is it that you are struggling with or that is causing you to doubt? Know that God is El Shaddai, the Almighty and all-powerful God with whom nothing is impossible.

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