Episode 3: Almighty | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed

Understanding God the Father Almighty: Trusting His Process

As we dive into the Apostles' Creed, we come to one of the most powerful and intimate descriptions of God: "God, the Father Almighty." Today, we’re reflecting on what it means for God to be "Almighty" and how that title ties into the biblical story, particularly the lives of Abraham and Sarah. This name, El Shaddai, or “God Almighty,” is more than just a title; it speaks to the faithfulness, power, and divine timing of our Creator. Let's take a closer look.

The Promise and the Process

The story of Abraham and Sarah offers us a rich context for understanding God's almighty power. In Genesis, we see a couple struggling with infertility, desperately trying to fulfill God's promise that their descendants would become a great nation. However, their journey was full of doubt, impatience, and mistakes. Just like us, they wanted the promise to be fulfilled on their terms, not trusting God's timing. This led to Abraham fathering a child with Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar, creating a situation that caused long-lasting consequences.

This is where we first encounter El Shaddai, or “God Almighty.” In Genesis 17, when Abraham is 99 years old, God reveals Himself as El Shaddai, reminding Abraham that His promises are not bound by time or human limitations. The text says, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless, and I will make my covenant between me and you” (Genesis 17:1-2). God’s appearance as Almighty here isn’t just about strength in the typical sense we might imagine—muscles, wealth, or status. It’s about His power to fulfill His promises, even when everything seems impossible. And it’s through this revelation that Abraham and Sarah begin to understand God’s power in a deeper way.

We can all relate to the struggle Abraham and Sarah faced. How often do we find ourselves trying to rush God’s promises, or worse, trying to take matters into our own hands, only to make a mess of things? But through their story, we learn that God’s timing is perfect, and His promises are always fulfilled, even when it seems impossible. As we trust in His process, we witness His almighty power at work in our lives.

The Mighty God Revealed Through a Baby

What’s striking about God’s almighty power is how it is often revealed in the most unexpected ways. In our modern culture, we associate might with physical strength, success, or grandeur. But God’s might was demonstrated through the birth of a child—Isaac. When God declared Himself as Almighty, it was in the context of an elderly couple’s impossible situation. The fulfillment of God’s promise came not through human effort or power but through the miraculous birth of a baby. This theme echoes through scripture, especially in the prophecies about the coming of Jesus.

In Isaiah, we read that God is "Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). This is not a typical image of might, but one that points to the ultimate display of God’s power: the birth of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, we are reminded that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). His might is not about imposing power through force or fear but about creating life and redemption through grace.

So when we think about God as El Shaddai, the Almighty, we need to reconsider our understanding of strength. God’s power is made perfect in weakness, and His might is often revealed through acts of grace and humility—like the birth of a child who would save the world.

Trusting the Almighty God

As we reflect on God as our El Shaddai, we are invited to trust His process and His power. The story of Abraham and Sarah teaches us that even in our doubt and impatience, God remains faithful to His promises. He is not bound by our limitations, and His timing is always perfect.

Today, when we face challenges, whether personal, relational, or spiritual, we can remember that God, the Father Almighty, is with us. He is not just a distant, all-powerful deity; He is a loving Father who walks with us, even when the road seems uncertain. Just as He kept His promises to Abraham and Sarah, He will keep His promises to us.

Let’s trust in His almighty power, knowing that He is always at work, even when we don’t see it. In our weakness, He is strong. In our doubt, He remains faithful. And through it all, He invites us to walk before Him faithfully, knowing that He is the Almighty who will fulfill His promises in His perfect time.

God's Intimacy Revealed: Yahweh and the Personal Nature of God

While the title El Shaddai speaks to God’s might and power, it’s in the revelation of His personal name—Yahweh—that we see His deepest desire: relationship. In Exodus 6, God tells Moses that He revealed Himself as God Almighty to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but now He is about to make Himself known in a more personal way. This name, Yahweh, represents God’s intimate commitment to His people. It’s not just a title but an invitation to know Him personally, to call upon Him as a Father.

This shift is profound. We see a God who is not distant or impersonal but actively involved in the lives of His people. It’s akin to knowing someone not just by their title—Pastor, Doctor, Teacher—but by their personal name. Yahweh is a name we can draw close to, one that invites us into the heart of God. It’s a reminder that the Almighty Creator of the universe, the One who set the stars in place, desires to walk alongside us, to know us, and to be known by us.

A Sovereign God in a Broken World

Of course, the question often arises: If God is Almighty, why do we experience suffering? Why do wars rage, and famine persist? If God is truly sovereign, why doesn’t He just intervene and make things right? These are hard questions, and the Bible does not shy away from acknowledging the brokenness of our world. However, when we look through the lens of Scripture, we see that the Almighty God is not indifferent to our pain. Instead of exercising brute force to fix everything in an instant, God works through the messiness of human history, allowing for free will, and yet, always moving toward the redemption of His people.

The Apostle Paul in Colossians 2 reminds us that, through Christ, God disarmed the powers and authorities that sought to keep humanity in bondage. The cross, though an act of apparent weakness, was in fact the greatest display of God’s might. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Almighty God overcame sin and death, offering us the opportunity to be reconciled to Him. This is the essence of God’s plan—a plan that has always been in place, from the time of Abraham and Sarah to the coming of Jesus Christ.

Our heavenly Father holds the universe together and desires a personal relationship with each of us. In the midst of life’s uncertainties and struggles, we can take comfort in knowing that we serve a God who is both all-powerful and deeply intimate. He is El Shaddai, the Almighty One, who invites us into His story and calls us to trust in His perfect plan.

Conclusion: Trusting in the Almighty God

As we continue to study the Apostles' Creed, we are reminded of the profound nature of our faith. We believe in a God who is Almighty and yet personal, who sovereignly holds everything together while deeply desiring to know us. This understanding should shape how we live and how we view the world around us. When we face struggles, we can take comfort in knowing that nothing is outside of God’s control. He has a plan for us, and that plan is ultimately one of redemption.

So, let’s continue to dive into the Scriptures, seeking to understand the depths of who God is, and let that knowledge shape our lives. No matter what challenges we face, we can rest in the fact that we serve the Almighty God, who is with us, who loves us, and who will never leave us.