Almighty God

by Jack Northart

 

Our God is the God of abundance, prosperity, peace and joy. He is unlimited in His ability to supply and support and defend us.

 

In the book of Genesis, chapter 17, the first occurrence of words "Almighty God" first appear. God is speaking to Abram.

 

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and mine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God [Heb. El Shaddai]; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

 

God called Himself Almighty God, which is El Shaddai in the Hebrew. Whenever this name of God is used in the Old Testament, it is always in the context of bountifulness to the believer, blessing to the believer, support to the believer, defense to the believer, and supply to the believer's every need. This was exactly the case in this section in chapter 17. God goes on to explain what He is going to do for Abram.

 

Verses 3-5

And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

 

Abram means "father of heights," and Abraham means "father of a great multitude."

 

Verses 6-8

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.  And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.  And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

 

Almighty God blesses, makes fruitful, and causes our seed to multiply. He confirms His Word to us as we look to Him as Almighty God. He is not a poverty stricken God, who has to be coaxed into helping us. He is not limited in what He can do or how he can bless our lives. God showed His great ability to bless Abraham by giving him the land of Canaan, and giving him a family that was more than could be numbered. That is bountifulness!

 

Chapter 49 speaks of Almighty God's blessings on Joseph.

 

Genesis 49:25

Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.

 

God has not changed. Society has changed. Technology has changed. People have changed, but Almighty God has not changed. He is still unlimited in His ability to bless, support and supply the believer's life with bountifulness.

 

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

 

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

II Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

 

As God's children, we have a reputation to live up to. We have some credentials to claim. We have a more abundant life to live. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings, but do we look like it, and do we act like it?  Almighty God supplies our every need according to HIS RICHES in glory, and yet we still have needs, needs and more needs. Why? If God is able to make all grace about toward us, is He not also willing to make all grace abound? And if He is, do we exemplify that wonderful unmerited favor that is called grace? Maybe too much emphasis and credit is being given to the devil for holding us back. Should we not be giving Almighty God credit for all that He has done for us and continues to do for us?

 

It's time to correct our understanding of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father.  We are the manifestation of our convictions. We cannot get beyond what we believe we are; what we believe we have. Hence, if we think that we are never going to be strong and healthy like other people, or to be successful in our calling of God, we never will be. If we are convinced that we will always be poor, always sick, downtrodden and defeated, we will be. You can't get away from poverty, lack and sickness when you don't expect to; when you don't believe that you are going to.

 

Lift up your eyes and look at the tremendous blessings, love and grace that Almighty God has given you, and all that He continues to do for you! He is El Shaddai, the God of bountifulness to the believer, blessing to the believer, support to the believer, defense to the believer, and supply to the believer's every need.