This morning as I made my coffee and settled into the tiny table in the kitchen, I felt the Lord pull me towards Psalm 91. I wasn't sure why though, I mean really Psalm 91 is the "the Lord is my refuge" psalm. Living in Israel may have its moments, but I wasn't feeling particularly fearful.
As I began to read, however, I was struck with the power of the words, and before I knew it a lump had formed in my throat. Earlier that week, my small group had discussed the meaning of "El Shaddai" and there it was, staring at me in the first verse. Psalm 91:1 calls the Lord "El Shaddai", which in our English Bibles usually translates as "God Almighty." Shadad means "to overpower' or 'to destroy." In context of the psalm, it makes perfect sense to start off with this name. I learned this week, however, that there is more to the word "shaddai."
In addition to the first meaning, another potential root word for "shaddai" in Hebrew is "shadaim", meaning "breasts." Many scholars believe it indicates God's sufficiency for us, that He alone nourishes us. He fulfills us. He alone can meet our needs.
Shaddai can also be broken down into "sha" which means "who" and "dai" which means "enough." Together it becomes a "God who is enough." Enough to nourish us, enough to protect us, enough for us in all matters of life.
It is as though He reaches out to grab us and say I an mighty, I am your provider, I am enough! Not only will I fulfill you, I will fiercely protect you. As is evidenced by the following 15 verses! David sang a psalm to worship the Lord exactly as he knew Him: his fulfillment, his protection, and his all in all...definitely three things I need to be reminded of.
What has He reached out and grabbed you with lately?
4 comments:
something that stuck out to me this week was Gods faithfulness in the area of seeking Him wholeheartedly in prayer. He meets us when we pour out. Hannah, Haggar, Abraham, David... etc. I read those stories and forget that God wants to meet me as He met them when they gave it all to Him.
Its sad how easily I can forget that and hold on to my issues and burdens as if they are mine to carry. God desires to carry our burdens and see us walking with His light burden and easy yoke...Anything else is out of His will...
SO FAITHFUL!!
Love this breakdown of Shaddai I was very encouraged and I love the "breasts" part because as a woman it gives me joy to know He really created us like HIM and to reflect parts of His amazing goodness ya kno?!!! :)
♥CheChe
This morning I was reading a devotional from CS Lewis and God used it to challenge me to consider which path I'm taking the easy one or the more challenging one. So often I try the easy route, but don't learn from it the way I do in the more difficult one.
oh wow...i love knowing it means breast...as a new mom I really see how relevant this is!
Wonderful post and such a relevant reminder to me these days! Thank you for sharing this and for breaking down your discoveries for all of us, Maggy.
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