You Need This by Steve Lombardo

In Genesis 17, God reveals Himself to Abram as El Shaddai—God Almighty. This name is rich with meaning, combining the ideas of overwhelming power and tender, nurturing care. El points to God as the supreme being, while Shaddai can mean both “to overpower” and “to provide as a mother nourishes her child.” Together, El Shaddai is the God whose sovereign strength is matched by His gentle provision. This truth is not just theological; it’s deeply personal and practical for every season of life. Abram, at 99 years old, was burdened by the unfulfilled promise of a child. For 24 years, he waited, wrestling with doubt and the temptation to take matters into his own hands. Yet God, as El Shaddai, was faithful to His word, even when the situation seemed impossible. Like Abram, we often carry burdens that feel too heavy or too delayed, but God invites us to cast our anxieties on Him, trusting in His care and timing. Naomi’s story in Ruth shows how burdens, if not surrendered, can harden into bitterness. After losing her husband and sons, Naomi returned to Bethlehem, renaming herself Mara—“bitter”—and blaming El Shaddai for her pain. Yet, even in her bitterness, God was working a redemptive plan through Ruth, leading to blessings Naomi could not have foreseen. We are reminded that holding onto bitterness blinds us to God’s ongoing work and robs us of joy. Job’s life is a testament to trusting El Shaddai when utterly beaten down. He lost everything—wealth, family, health—yet refused to curse God. Job’s friends insisted his suffering was punishment, but Job maintained his integrity, declaring, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Sometimes suffering is not a result of our sin but part of a larger, unseen spiritual reality. In those moments, faith in El Shaddai sustains us. Finally, Jacob’s later years were marked by blessing. After years of loss and grief, he saw God’s promises fulfilled in ways he never expected. Even in seasons of abundance, we need El Shaddai—not just in crisis, but in gratitude and humility, recognizing our ongoing dependence on Him. Whether burdened, bitter, beaten down, or blessed, every person needs El Shaddai. His power and tenderness are sufficient for every circumstance, inviting us to trust Him more deeply. Key Takeaways God’s name El Shaddai reveals both His overwhelming power and His nurturing care. He is not only able to accomplish the impossible but also intimately provides for our deepest needs, much like a mother nourishes her child. This dual nature invites us to trust Him with both our greatest challenges and our daily needs. [04:19] When burdens linger and God’s promises seem delayed, faith means casting our anxieties on Him rather than taking matters into our own hands. Abram’s long wait for a child shows that God’s timing often stretches our patience, but persistent prayer and surrender open us to His peace and provision. Trusting El Shaddai means believing He is at work even when we cannot see the outcome. [10:44] Unresolved burdens can harden into bitterness, as seen in Naomi’s life. Blaming God for our pain closes our hearts to His ongoing work and can cause us to miss unexpected blessings. Releasing our pain to El Shaddai allows us to move from bitterness to gratitude, recognizing that God’s redemptive purposes often unfold in ways we do not anticipate. [16:37] Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin; sometimes, it is part of a larger spiritual reality beyond our understanding. Job’s story reminds us that faith in El Shaddai is not conditional on our circumstances. Even when we are beaten down and answers are elusive, steadfast trust in God’s character is our anchor. [24:17] Seasons of blessing are also times to remember our dependence on El Shaddai. Jacob’s story teaches us not to reserve faith for moments of crisis alone, but to cultivate gratitude and humility when life is good. Recognizing God’s hand in our blessings keeps us grounded and ready to trust Him in every season. [27:29] Youtube Chapters [00:00] - Welcome [02:53] - Introduction to El Shaddai [04:19] - The Meaning of El Shaddai [05:57] - Abram’s Burden and God’s Promise [07:15] - The Long Wait: 24 Years Without a Child [08:28] - Taking Matters into Our Own Hands [09:39] - The Consequences of Impatience [10:44] - Casting Our Anxieties on God [12:12] - Peace Through Prayer [13:28] - Naomi’s Story: From Burden to Bitterness [14:56] - The Danger of Bitterness [16:37] - God’s Redemptive Plan for Naomi [18:45] - Personal Story: Worry and Release [21:00] - Job: Suffering and the Name El Shaddai [21:41] - The Retribution Principle Challenged [23:19] - The Unseen Spiritual Battle [24:17] - Job’s Faith in the Midst of Suffering [25:29] - Jacob’s Blessing and El Shaddai [27:29] - Trusting God in Seasons of Blessing [28:27] - Conclusion: Everyone Needs El Shaddai