I realize we will never, on this earth, reach a full understanding and knowledge of who God is. I believe that we will still be learning more and more about God through eternity in with Him in heaven. I listened this week to a morning devotion on Lection 365 as they started a new series on the names of God, beginning with El Shaddai.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’
Genesis 17:1, NLT

The Hebrew phrase is translated as “God Almighty.” Some scholars add that it suggests both strength and friendship, because as you read further, God uses His power to deliver Abram from his enemies and to give his elderly and barren wife Sarai the strength to carry a son. God’s power is revealed in friendship.

God loved Abram and Sarai, and He loves us; He loves me. He uses his power in the lives of those He loves, in the lives of those who love Him. Friendship

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:17-19, NLT

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 6:20-21, NLT

When I think of this powerful and glorious God, I am overwhelmed with awe. I must admit to fear as well. This is God the creator of everything, the God who lives outside of time and place, the God who merely speaks and universes are formed. I cannot understand the power of God; it doesn’t fit it any box that my brain will hold. So, how can I not praise El Shaddai? I join the choirs of angels, the worlds He created, the people of this earth in praising Allmighty God.

But my fear recedes as El Shaddai invites me to enter into His Circle of Love, to be a part of His family, to friendship.
How can I, imperfect and sinful as I am, claim friendship with God?
Because He loves and claims me for Himself?

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.
1 Peter 2:9-10a, NLT

I am one of God’s people. And as I open my heart and soul to Him, He pours his love and goodness into me SO THAT I can show it to others.

That’s as much as I can understand right now, and it’s enough. In El Shaddai is my strength and my eternal hope. Praise His Holy Name.

He is El Shaddai, God Almighty.
I am full. I am content. I am at peace.