May we use his name with deep reverence, respect and fear. May we never become too familiar with El-Shaddai, though he calls us his friends and sons/daughters.
There is an old English idiom that says, familiarity breeds contempt. The expression means, if you know someone or something very well, you can easily become bored with them and stop treating them with respect. Is there a danger that we can become too familiar with the Lord God that our relationship with him becomes so casual that we lose faith in his omnipotence?
Jesus was ministering around the towns of Galilee, performing many miracles and healing the sick. His teaching was profound and people were in awe of his wisdom and authority until he entered Nazareth. Jesus decided to go to his hometown and continue his work. Nazareth is a town west of the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus grew up. It’s where he played in the streets, attended the synagogue and learned his trade. The people of Nazareth knew Jesus well.
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?” they asked. “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” His old friends and family took offense at his standing. Who was he to come back home and tell them what to do? As a result of their flippancy, they had no respect for Jesus. Jesus could not perform many miracles in Nazareth because their faith and expectations were low. They were too familiar with the Son of God.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
One of the names of God is El-Shaddai. El-Shaddai means God Almighty. Our God is great. He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. God is holy, unique, separate, pure and exclusive. He displays absolute righteousness, justice, power and truth. There is no one – nothing – like our God in the universe. He is invincible, immense, unconquerable, impregnable, sovereign and all-encompassing.
May we use his name with deep reverence, respect and fear. May we never become too familiar (matey) with El-Shaddai, though he calls us his friends and sons/daughters. May we remain unfamiliar as we approach the throne of grace with intimacy in faith. Let’s respect, revere and love our Lord as we trust him to work miracles in our lives.
God-tracking is approaching his throne with intimate reverence.
IT’S ALL IN THE BIBLE. READ ALL ABOUT IT.
Get into the word of God and get the word of God into you!
Matthew 13:53-58
John 15:13-14
Galatians 3:26
Hebrews 4:16
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This post is part of Dudley’s weekly GodTracker devotional series. You can also listen to his GodTracker podcast.
