If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the LORD, who is my refuge -hen no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

Psalm 91:9-10

Psalm 91 describes El Shaddai, God Almighty, as our place of protection, our refuge, and our fortress. El Shaddai means “many breasted one,” and inherent in the meaning is a mother who nourishes her child. El Shaddai is the One who will cause the godly not to fear and provide a safe haven for those who trust Him. The men and women of faith came to know God as El Shaddai when they were faced with trials and tribulations. Think about Joseph, thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, thrown into prison, yet was always hidden under the shadow of the Almighty. What about King David who was ruthlessly pursued by his enemies, and yet God protected and hid him? Today, I read an e-mail from an amazing woman of God who shared her story of knowing God as El Shaddai. She has been like Job, afflicted with physical suffering and yet is always looking to her God as her security, her safe haven. She writes that in every trial, Her God is with her, sustaining her and keeping her under the shadow of His Presence.

What about you? Have you allowed the Lord Almighty to reveal Himself to you as your Protector? Do you fear that you are all alone, left vulnerable to circumstances or people beyond your control? Look to El Shaddai and know that He will care for you as a mother cares for her child:

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me. Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you. See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.

(Isaiah 49:15-16) God is with you; God is your shelter and the One who nourishes you. His name is El Shaddai.

Heavenly Father,

I have felt forsaken, alone, rejected and afraid. I want to know You as El Shaddai. I run to the safety of Your arms and trust that, when everyone else forsakes me, You will still be there.

In Jesus’ name, Amen