Read: Genesis 43: 8-15

Reflect:
Jacob prays to God Almighty (Hebrew, El Shaddai). This name for God appears four times in the book of Genesis and all the references to El Shaddai paint a picture of a God who is mighty to do as He says. God first introduced Himself as El Shaddai to Abraham in Genesis 17:1. With that name, God was revealing to Abraham that He is the Almighty God, the All-Sufficient God, and the God of More Than Enough. The next mention is in Genesis 28:3 and Isaac is speaking to Jacob with absolute confidence in God’s promise of blessing and fruitfulness, because He is the Almighty one who said He would do it. Then in Genesis 35:11 God spoke to Jacob as El Shaddai and promised him that a community of nations will come from him, including kings as his descendants. Now is Genesis 43:14 Jacob gives a benediction as his sons are about to go off to Egypt, to meet Joseph. He is fearful for his youngest son Benjamin’s life, and he calls on God Almighty, El Shaddai to grant him mercy. Jacob trusts that God can do this because he has already said He would. Beyond Genesis, God has revealed Himself more and more to us throughout His word as El Shaddai. He is God Almighty and has all the power necessary to do anything and everything He wants to do. That is why Job was able to say to God, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” That is why Jeremiah was able to tell the nation of Judah, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” That is why the Angel of the Lord was able to tell Mary before Jesus was conceived in her body, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” And that is why Paul was able to tell us, “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”

Pray:
Thank God that He is El Shaddai, God Almighty. If you are in a place where you are not trusting that God is able to work in your life or situation, ask God to reveal Himself to you as the all-powerful One. Ask for faith to trust Jesus when he said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)