Nothing is too hard for God . . .

ALMIGHTY God — A term to describe the God of Israel understood according to his absolute power. NT Greek word is similar: “someone whose controlling influence over reality is unlimited” referencing only God. We hear it sometimes as “El Shaddai” a divine title used in music and forty-eight times in the OT, most often in Job where the doings of God are both questioned and defended.

Early Bible versions translate this word as “all-powerful” and the word “omnipotent” is often used. Rabbis have said it means “He who is enough” or “the One who is (self-) sufficient.”

The context of God using “almighty” to describe Himself is usually in verses that charge His people to do what is impossible for them, suggesting their need to rely on Him to get it done. For instance:

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, (Genesis 17:1)

And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. (Genesis 35:11)

I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)

First, no one is blameless before God suggesting this must come from His power, not ours. Second, Abram’s wife was barren; only a powerful God could make this prophecy happen. Third, no one seeks God, never mind in an intimate relationship as His very child. All three verses point to our inability and to God’s great power.

Many other verses talk about the power of God to make things happen. A few of those are acknowledgments of His power in causing calamities:

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20–21)

This is not necessarily a statement of distrust and resentment. Being able to see God as sovereign and powerful in all of life is deep faith. As Job said to his wife when she told him to curse God, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)

Almighty is used in the NT mostly in Revelation where His incredible power to deal with a sinful world is fully revealed. That power had already been demonstrated at Calvary when Jesus died for the sin of all mankind, then rose from the dead. This was omnipotence in grace and mercy. His power in Revelation is omnipotence in judgment. While this is frightening for those who do not know Jesus as their Redeemer, it is ultimate victory for God, a description that exalts His might and glorifies His Son:

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”  . . . (and the twenty-four elders said) “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” (And those who conquered the beast) sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” . . . . Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns . . . . From (Jesus’) mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Revelation 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 19:6; 19:15)

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. This word is for God alone. It is a faith-builder; God can do anything for He is Almighty. Nothing is too hard or impossible for Him. I can pray with confidence, knowing that when my prayers are in His will, He will do what I ask. Amen and amen!