Genesis-160 – The Abundant One

Genesis 49:22–26

 

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; his branches run over the wall. The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, and by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.” Amen.

 

The Diversity of Translations and the Richness of Joseph’s Life

Among Jacob’s many sons, now only two sons of Rachel remain: Joseph and Benjamin. The person we are meditating on today is Joseph. To be honest, this passage might be a bit difficult to read. It is not because the content is complex, but because the meaning can feel significantly different if you compare the traditional version with other modern translations.

 

Some modern translations translate Joseph not as a "fruitful bough" but as a "wild donkey." In fact, these two words do not evoke similar images at all. If it were something like a "vine," the range of understanding would have narrowed, but the gap between a "bough" (plant) and a "donkey" (animal) is very large. To help the saints understand why this difference in translation occurs, I would like to add a brief explanation.

 

In conclusion, both "fruitful bough" and "wild donkey" are academically possible translations. The Hebrew word 'pere' originally consists only of consonants, so it leaves room for various interpretations depending on the context. Some versions translated it as a "colt" or "wild donkey" to capture the vitality inherent in the word, while the traditional version translated it as a "fruitful bough" by focusing on the prosperity of bearing fruit.

 

Joseph’s Suffering and Exaltation in the Two Interpretations

Both interpretations contain their own spiritual lessons. First, if we understand Joseph as a "donkey," this has a deep connection with the donkey that a king rides. This suggests the change in the noble position that Joseph will experience. We already studied with the tribe of Judah, through the words of Zechariah, the image of the Messiah—the King who is supremely high but humbled himself by riding a donkey. Joseph also became humble by passing through harsh sufferings, and eventually God exalted him; the word 'donkey' shows this symbolically.

 

On the other hand, if it is understood as a "fruitful bough," the focus is on the abundant fruits that Joseph’s life produced. Especially the description that the branch "ran over the wall" is very significant. This means that the blessing through Joseph went beyond the walls of his own family or nation and flowed to the Gentiles and everyone in the land of Canaan. In the end, since both translations wonderfully explain Joseph’s turbulent life and the blessings he enjoyed, it is difficult to determine that one is incorrect.

 

The Meaning of the Fruitful Bough Connected to the Blessing of Creation

Even so, I give a little more weight to the translation "fruitful bough." There are two theological foundations for this. The first is due to the nature of the four blessings Jacob proclaims. The blessings of the heavens, the deep, the breasts, and the womb mentioned in the text are closely connected to the creation account in Genesis 1. The heaven and the deep evoke the waters above and below the firmament in creation, and the blessing of prosperity and fruitfulness also symbolizes the mandate of God the Creator.

 

Second is the fact that the God who gives the blessing is called "Almighty (El Shaddai)." As we will discuss in detail later, 'El Shaddai' is a title used especially when emphasizing power as the Creator. If the intention were to emphasize Joseph’s royal authority and position of rule, 'El Elyon,' meaning the Most High God, would have been used. Therefore, it should be seen that the text puts more emphasis on vitality and prosperity due to God’s creative power rather than Joseph’s authority.

 

Diversity of Theological Opinions and an Attitude of Humble Faith

Which translation is chosen does not damage the essence of the blessing Joseph received. For both interpretations agree that they sing of Joseph’s abundance. In the future, when we stand before the Lord, we will finally get the clear answers to all truths. Until then, we must maintain a humble attitude before the deep mystery of the Bible.

 

Sometimes, saints ask me about a specific theological opinion or an eschatological perspective. In those cases, I tell them to beware of the attitude of pretending that only one theory is the absolute truth. In church history, excellent predecessors in faith protected the essence of the gospel while respecting different opinions.

 

In the end, what we need is not the knowledge to distinguish the correct answer, but an attitude of faith that recognizes the limits of human beings who cannot fully comprehend the word of God. Realizing that our understanding of the Bible is still insufficient and moving forward by clinging only to God’s faithful promise will be the image of a wise saint.

 

The Value of Humility Prostrating Before the Word of God

In fact, we have access to more information about the Bible than the Reformer Calvin did. Compared to the predecessors of faith from 500 years ago, the fact that we know more about biblical geography and archaeology today is perhaps natural. In reality, if we review Calvin’s commentaries, there are often parts that need to be academically corrected. No matter how excellent a theologian he was, there were areas he did not fully understand with the level of research at that time, and we only came to know them after a long time. The reason God does not reveal all truths to us at once is to make us humble. This reminds us that we must truly prostrate before the written word of the Bible and always maintain a low posture before the wisdom of God.

 

That said, it is not that these differences in interpretation or opinions have a negative influence on our faith. On the contrary, this process makes the true core of the passage manifest with greater clarity. The essence of the blessing for Joseph does not lie in the lush tree, the abundant fruit, or the wild donkey themselves. The true point is who is the one who allows and governs these blessings. Jacob, to emphasize this point, continues with five key confessions that manifest the character of God within Joseph’s blessing.

 

The Essence of Blessing: God’s Hand and His Company

Let’s confirm the first secret of the blessing for Joseph through verse 24. The Bible proclaims: "his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob, from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel." The fact that Joseph could draw the bow with strong arms and overcome was not because his weapons or personal ability were excellent. The core of the power Joseph enjoyed did not lie in his own strength, but in the fact that he leaned on the hand of the Almighty God.

 

The expression "fruitful bough by a well" that appears at the beginning of the text also contains the same truth. Here, "by the well" does not simply mean the geographical background of Joseph staying in the fertile land of Egypt. Rather, it means the spiritual background that God, the source of life, was always with Joseph. In the end, the climax of all the blessings given to Joseph was possible because he walked with God. His abundance was only through God, and Jacob confesses that Sovereign of grace as the 'Mighty God of Jacob.'

 

The Almighty God Who Protected Jacob’s Life

We often overlook the expression 'Mighty God of Jacob' when reading the Bible. But imagine you are blessing your child. Instead of saying "I hope God’s blessing is with you," if you said "I wish that the Almighty of your father Jacob would bless you," the child would find it strange. They might ask, "Why specifically the God 'of Jacob'?" But we know the reason well. The name 'Jacob' originally means 'the one who supplants' or 'the one who deceives.' Think of his turbulent life filled with flaws as a deceiver and a fugitive. Calling God 'Almighty' using the name of that Jacob reveals to an extreme degree how strong and great He is. Here, Almighty means 'the strongest' who sustains any stubborn life so it does not bend.

 

The fact that Jacob could put his own name and confess "my Almighty" was not because he was righteous. On the contrary, it was a confession possible because he knew better than anyone how shameful his life was. Despite being such a life, God did not abandon him and protected and guided him until now; realizing that, he proclaimed that God is his true army, his strength, and the stronghold that sustains him. In the end, the one who held Joseph’s hand until the last moment was not his father Jacob, but this Almighty God. Today’s situation is no different. Rather, we live in an era where we need the hand of this strong God more fiercely than then.

 

Beyond the World's Supports, Toward God as the Source of Blessing

Often, instead of seeking the true Almighty, we define God as we please and reduce Him to the level we think. It is an era where, even while having faith, we consider insurance or bank balances as a more solid fortress than God. Even when planning God’s affairs, our honest reality is to first calculate the state of our pockets before His infinite provision. Of course, it is important to use the wisdom God has given us well. Preparing pensions for the future and being thrifty to run the household are valuable things. But we must always put our hand on our heart and ask: 'What am I sincerely trusting right now?' If all these bulwarks of the world disappeared, could the true joy and peace within me remain unchanged?

 

Confessing that God is the source of blessing is a decision of faith that our life gains meaning only through God. No matter how much we add riches and success of this earth to our life, from the perspective of eternity, the answer is in the end just '0.' Because there is nothing we can take before death. The things of the world cannot change the essence of life nor give true joy. On the contrary, the answer is on the opposite side. When it is 'life plus God,' one finally comes to possess everything. The secret of a life the world calls 'the jackpot' is precisely here. Life becomes complete only because God is present. Looking to God, who is true rest, and not the shelters of the world that will disappear, is the beginning of blessing.

 

The Meaning of a Great Life with God

No matter how much we add worldly prosperity or success to our life, what will be the conclusion we face? Even if we accumulate the good things of this world like mountains, there is not a single thing we can possess eternally. In the end, that answer only returns to 'zero (0).' Because the value that can be permanently preserved does not exist within the material things of this earth. Although many strive to have more, the fact that worldly things are added does not change the essence of life nor complete the life of true joy that God desires.

 

Rather, the answer is on the opposite side. When God is added to our empty life, life finally comes to possess everything. The so-called 'jackpot' of life occurs precisely at that moment. When it is 'life plus God,' one finally experiences the miracle of being filled. Before death, no worldly achievement remains, but life with God has an eternal meaning. However, we still often lose our gaze to the things of the world that will disappear. Are you confessing that true rest is not in a bank balance or pension, but only in God? If you use the wisdom of the world but only trust in it, that cannot be called the life of a believer. Therefore, we must constantly ask ourselves: "Whom am I taking as my Almighty?"

 

The Patience and Love of God, the Good Shepherd

Jacob, after calling God 'the Mighty God of Jacob,' confesses Him secondly as 'Shepherd.' The animal called a sheep is the synonym for the foolishness of moving according to its own stubbornness. It is a weak being that has no sense of direction, is stubborn, and even if it flips over once, it cannot get up by its own strength. When that sheep meets the shepherd, only then is its life preserved and reborn as the most valuable being. If that Shepherd is God, how will we, who are the sheep, change? It is not that because we met God, we suddenly become smart or abandon all our chronic stubbornness in an instant.

 

It is not that because we became Christians, our entire personality changes in a moment and we become perfect people. Of course, we all long for it to be so. But sometimes, behind that longing hides the selfish desire of 'I want to be an acceptable person' before the glory of God. We only focus on being respected and not criticized by others, but we lack the decision to say: "even if I am lowered and trampled, if the name of God is exalted, I will willingly go that way." We often consider this surrender as a special story of martyrs that has nothing to do with us. But God, our Good Shepherd, despite these limitations of ours, guides us to delicate pastures with infinite love and patience.

 

Trust in the Shepherd God Who Risks His Life

Christians are people who long for God alone to be exalted, not themselves. However, we often want to be competent workers who wonderfully fulfill God’s work with our own excellence. We also fervently desire to leave a grand achievement for the kingdom of God by possessing deep biblical knowledge. But the essence of faith does not lie in our competence. True blessing is in the grace that God Himself guides us sheep to the waters and makes us lie down in green pastures with His hand.

 

The reason we do not fear even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death is not because the geography of the valley is not steep, nor because our environment has improved. It is because the one who guides me is precisely the Shepherd God who willingly gives His own life for me. Because we totally trust in the faithfulness of the Shepherd who does not spare His life for the sheep, we can finally walk quietly through the path of suffering where the front cannot be seen.

 

The Faithful Love of the Shepherd That Covers Our Forgetfulness

Despite the Shepherd’s sacrifice being so sublime, we must ask if we, as sheep, are living with a full understanding of that heart. Have you spent today, from early morning until now, sincerely thanking God in every moment? How many of us have lived remembering the Lord without ceasing as the Bible teaches, and longing for His grace in every moment? Seeing human weakness, no one can proudly ensure they are walking that path fully.

 

We forget God too easily. The nature of the sheep is to quickly look away even while receiving all provision. Unlike the faithful dog that loyally follows its owner, the sheep cannot abandon its selfish attitude until the end. In that sense, the sheep is very much like our human image. Despite that, the Shepherd gives His life for that foolish sheep. Because He is our unchanging Good Shepherd.

 

The Glory of God That Does Not Abandon Us

When we say God guides us, we often take it as a light comfort. It usually stays at a level of vague expectation like "God is with me, so it will be a help" or "He will deliver me in the midst of suffering." But what the text suggests is much more desperate and sublime. God is the one who, for you—His beloved child—is risking His honor and His life in every moment without resting for a single second.

 

Being honest, we ourselves often cannot risk our lives for God. I myself, as a pastor, if faced with the solemn question of whether I would give my life for the Lord, would hesitate and ask for time to think instead of answering immediately. But God is different. He risks all of His for us in every moment. The reason the glory and power of Christ’s cross does not abandon us for even an instant is here. The certainty that He already delivered us, is delivering us now, and will surely deliver us in the future; that is God’s unalterable promise.

 

The God Who is the Rock and the Promise of Israel

Thirdly, Jacob confesses God as the 'Stone of Israel.' Normally, in the expression 'rock' we imagine a firm foundation that does not shake before any tribulation or a solid fortress. But to more accurately convey the nuance of the word used in the text, it is appropriate to call Him 'Stone.' Because this 'stone' has a very special symbolism in Jacob’s life.

 

You will remember the night when Jacob, fleeing from his brother, slept in the desert of Bethel using a stone as a pillow. Jacob, who met God in the vision of the open gate of heaven and angels ascending and descending, upon waking from his sleep, set up that stone he had slept on as a pillar and worshiped God. At that moment, that stone became the seal of the holy covenant pledged between God and Jacob. Therefore, the confession "God is the stone of Israel" is the same as proclaiming that God is 'the Promise itself.' For us today, God is the unchanging stone of the covenant and the immovable reality of the promise.

 

God’s Faithful Promise That Does Not Forget Us

It is a truly amazing fact that God’s promise is a reality in our lives. God promised you: "I will give my Son, and he will save you by dying." This promise goes beyond a simple declaration; it is God’s word itself and is God Himself. Was that holy promise fulfilled, or was it not? It was already fulfilled and given to us. That is precisely the power and reality the promise has.

 

Not only that. God promised: "I will never forget you." That promise is God Himself. Because of that God, you become blessed. Brothers and sisters, it is a very pleasant thing for someone to remember you without forgetting you. But what if that subject is God? God said He would not forget you, and that word became reality.

 

If we express it a bit literarily, we can say that we are within the heart of Jesus Christ. The Lord does not just say "you are my heart," "you are my love," but also proclaims: "I will surely mold you until you reach the image of Jesus Christ." God’s promise is God Himself, and we have become those who enjoy blessings because of that promise. That promise—that no sin, evil, or death can harm you and that the kingdom of God will be completed in you—becomes the source of all our blessings.

 

The Word of God Fulfilled in Our Lives

Is there perhaps any verse you have passed over without realizing while reading the Bible? There will be verses you often forget even while memorizing them, or words you haven't been able to keep deep in your heart despite having read them clearly. Someone might cry while clinging to a word because a specific verse hit their heart, but often the Bible is read simply by habit despite reading it daily. However, even if you forget and move on, that is God’s unchanging promise and word. God never forgets and will fulfill that word in you without fail. Therefore, how could we not be blessed? Because the faithful God personally becomes the guarantee of that word.

 

The fourth is a more amazing proclamation than the story shared previously. At the beginning, Jacob said "the Mighty God of Jacob gives the blessing." Putting his shameful name and speaking of God’s omnipotence is, in fact, something that brings shame. But as he introduces the basis for the fourth blessing, my face gets hotter. Jacob says to Joseph: "the God of your father is your source of blessing." This is a much more personal and intimate expression than when he used the name 'Jacob' previously.

 

Would Joseph have been five or six years old? There was an incident where his mother Rachel hid an idol called Teraphim. Joseph observed at her side the desperate situation where everyone could have died if Laban, Jacob’s uncle and father-in-law, had found it while searching minutely. He will also remember what happened shortly after, when his father made the whole family cross first at night and stayed alone by the Jabbok River. It is not known what little Joseph would have thought, but it must have seemed strange to him, and he grew up seeing the image of his father who appeared limping the next morning. Joseph observed more vividly than anyone who his father was and what kind of life he lived.

 

The Grace of Being the God of Weak Fathers

But how could Jacob speak so proudly? Saying: "My God, that is, this God of your father is your blessing." This is, in fact, a confession like this: "Joseph, haven't you seen me too? You know well how weak I am and how easily I shake, and that I am someone with many shameful images who cannot speak proudly before God." Moreover, how could the son not know the image of one who had so much greed that he wanted to possess everything? How could that image with so many flaws be the source of blessing?

 

However, Joseph not only saw his father’s flaws, but at the same time he also saw his image surrendering before God. He also observed his back turning to God and repenting. Brothers and sisters, we all know well how difficult the education of children is. There are countless secret methods in the world and experts advise, but the lives of your children will not be easy at all. We often hear stories like "the secret of sending all three children to prestigious universities," but how could there not have been wounds between that father and the children?

 

In the closest relationships, it is almost impossible not to hurt each other. Where is there a father who can say "I have never caused you trauma," and where is there a child who hasn't returned that amount of pain to the father? What is the feeling we most regret when we say goodbye to our parents for the last time? Isn't it the regret of "I should have been a bit better to them while they were alive"? None of us can be someone confident in the parent-child relationship.

 

The Father’s Example of Trusting in Christ and Not in Perfection

We are still bound to Confucian teachings, thinking that we must teach by setting a personal example for our children. It's not that that is bad. I also totally agree that learning numerous parenting methods and training to be a good father is something we clearly need.

 

However, we must also recognize the fact that we cannot be a perfect mother or a complete father no matter how hard we try. Why is it so? Because just as children are sinners, no matter how much we show only good things, send them to good schools, and block bad influences around them, they remain sinners. What human beings know how to do is create the most evil things even while having the best things. Do you think our children will be different? Are we ourselves, the parents, not like that?

 

Even so, how foolish is it not to recognize this and believe that the child will grow up wonderfully only if we show them good things? The Bible does not tell us to be perfect parents and to raise the child well by setting a perfect example in every aspect. Where is there such a father in the Bible? If there is, give me at least one example.

 

Since Paul had no children, there is no way he would say such a thing, and the story of Peter’s children also does not appear in the Bible. If we look with today’s criteria, perhaps it is fair that we criticize Peter. Wouldn't we ask in our own way how he could abandon his whole family and children to follow Jesus, and what would happen to the family left behind? In the end, he even died hanging upside down on a cross. Brothers and sisters, perhaps we are making a big mistake. In fact, there are no 'successful parents' in this world.

 

A Life of Showing God Amidst Failure and Weakness

In the world, and even among us Christians, there are no 'successful parents.' We are not people who possess the secret of perfect parenting, but, on the contrary, we are people who realize heartbreakingly who we are. We are people who know how many mistakes we have and how insufficient we are, and that we are no different from Jacob. Therefore, we should not show only the image of "I am doing this so well" before our children, but we must be able to courageously confess: "I try this hard, but I am someone truly weak and a sinner like you. I know there are moments when I hurt your heart with my insufficiency."

 

What we must show our children is the fact that, because we are weak sinners, we must always trust in Jesus Christ. Even though we are beings who make mistakes and shake easily, we must show the evidence that God finally held me in that indescribably difficult situation. How could sufferings that are hard to bear not also reach the future of our children? We desire with a parent’s heart for suffering to bypass them, but in this hostile world, how could there not be fearsome people and difficult things among the people our children bump into and meet? Just as our life was, tribulation will reach their lives as well.

 

In that moment, there is something children must remember. It is the fact that they must return to the Lord, and the assurance that the Lord willingly receives me and sustains me until the end. They must cling to that fact and rise with strength again. If you desire that there be no such sufferings at all, you would have to go to Mars or the Moon. Because as long as you do not live in a place where there is no one, the storms of life are inevitable.

 

God’s Armor of the Gospel That Does Not Shake in the World

One of the weak points of Christian school education is that, according to statistics, so-called 'kindly raised children' often fall into greater trials and temptations when going to university or entering society. It must be seen that the greatest responsibility for the phenomenon of students who grew up well within the fence of the church and Christian school abandoning the faith upon becoming adults lies with the parents and the church.

 

It is because, rather than properly teaching children what the world is really like, we have only repeated the words "you must live kindly." We made them feel that the world was a kind and good place for them, so how great will the impact be when children raised in a greenhouse suddenly step out into the harsh world?

 

We must clearly teach children the fact that the world is a place stained by sin. And at the same time, we must teach what is the only strength that can pass through this sinful world despite the fact that we are living in it. That is precisely the cross and the gospel of Christ. We must inform them of the fact that we can live again thanks to that gospel. We must teach them not to fear failure, and that life does not end because they fall and shake.

 

Even if it seems we have fallen and cannot get up in any way, there is no need for any worry. Our children must know without fail the fact that God—who lifts up the hurt knees and makes them stand up again to walk toward the kingdom of God—does not let them go for a single instant.

 

That is precisely the way to truly protect children. Moreover, these are not words that apply only to children. It is a truth that applies equally to the wife, the husband, and all of us. We must clearly trust in the fact that God is still with us, no matter what situation or circumstance we find ourselves in.

 

The True Meaning of the Almighty God ‘El Shaddai’

Lastly, Jacob confesses God as 'the Almighty.' Here the word for almighty is precisely 'Shaddai.' It is the word we use when we usually call Him 'El Shaddai.' Since 'El' means God, El Shaddai means precisely the Almighty God. But in reality, this word 'Shaddai' is a very complicated and difficult word to interpret.

 

Today, in English Bibles it is translated as 'Almighty God' and we also call Him 'Almighty God,' but it is difficult to see that this translation has captured 100% of the original meaning of the word exactly. This translation originated from the Greek Bible called the Septuagint in the past. Upon reaching the Greek era, they translated the Bible into Greek for Jewish immigrants who did not know how to read the Hebrew Bible—that is, the Diaspora—and at that time they translated this word as 'All-powerful.' This later transferred to Latin and became the 'Almighty' of now.

 

So, what is the true meaning of this word? You may be surprised, but the exact origin has not been discovered yet. If I say that the exact meaning of the word is not known, you might find it strange asking "how is the Bible interpreted then?" But all words can always capture their meaning through context. The reason we are skilled in our language is also because we understand the usage within context better than each word's dictionary definition.

 

Even if someone says a word a bit wrong during a conversation, we can capture their intention sufficiently if we hear the overall context. The logic that we understand everything even if a foreigner speaks in a clumsy language is precisely this. This is precisely 'the power of context,' and it becomes an important key to understanding the Bible.

 

Jehovah and El Shaddai, God of Salvation and Creation

There is power in the context. We find that power in several places in the Bible, but one of the most important contexts is Exodus chapter 6, verses 2 and 3. God says to Moses "I am Jehovah," revealing His name. In the words that follow, He said: "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as the Almighty God, but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them." Here the Almighty God is precisely the 'El Shaddai' we are examining. That is, the name Jehovah is a name that was formally made known to Moses in the era of the Exodus, and it means that He manifested Himself to the previous patriarchs as El Shaddai.

 

So, did Abraham not know the name Jehovah at all? By no means. The name Jehovah already appears starting from Genesis. What is emphasized here is the fact that the true meaning of the name Jehovah was realized only upon reaching the time of Moses. He revealed His name as the God of salvation who rescues Israel from Egypt. On the other hand, the title 'Almighty God' was used mainly before the Exodus—that is, in the period when the patriarchs were active. The God of Genesis, which is the record prior to the Exodus event, is precisely El Shaddai. This deeply contains the character of God who basically performs creation, prosperity, and the fulfillment of promises.

 

The God Who Gives the Promise and Renews Life

If there is another difference, it is the point that the God of Genesis—that is, the God of Abraham—is the one who gives the promise. On the other hand, Jehovah God is the one who actually fulfills that promise and guides to Canaan. Abraham did not know where he was going, but he moved forward trusting in the word. However, the people of Israel moved forward knowing the clear destination of Canaan upon leaving Egypt. Precisely here is a big difference.

 

Within this name 'El Shaddai' is contained the grace of God who calls us when we don't know where to go and are lost on how to live, and don't know what to do in the midst of confusion. The one who called us gives us a promise and faithfully guides us to the place where that promise is fulfilled. This is precisely the image of God manifested in Genesis.

 

Therefore, the name El Shaddai is closer to the meaning of 'creation' than 'salvation.' If the salvation that rescues us is closer to the character of the name Jehovah, the God of Genesis—that is, the one who created all things and molds us anew every day—is El Shaddai. The one who renews us today as well and performs a new creation in our lives is precisely our God El Shaddai.

 

The Hand of the King Who Governs the World and Sustains Us

The supremely important fact we can know here is that the God of 'El Shaddai' is proclaiming to us "who I am." "I am the Creator who created this world, and the true King who governs and moves the entire universe. I called you and I am the God who gave the promise to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. All nations will enjoy blessing through you; I formed you, I protected you, I called you, and I guided you." The one who sustains us and cares for us today with that power that created the world—that is precisely the God El Shaddai.

 

El Shaddai is not a different God from Jehovah. They are the same, but only the point of emphasis the name has is different. In the aspect of rescuing Israel from Egypt within the history of salvation, 'Jehovah God' is emphasized, but in the aspect of guiding the peoples who received God’s call alone in a place like the desert where there is nowhere to lean, El Shaddai is emphasized. Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even when they do not know God fully in their different lives and wander going down wrong paths, God ends up fulfilling His will in the end.

 

What God is this? It is precisely the 'God of grace.' This God of grace is emphasized in all moments of our life. That almighty hand will hold Joseph’s hand, strengthen Joseph’s arm that holds the bow, and warmly wrap his shoulder. That hand of power will protect and guide your life today as well.

 

The God of Grace Who Does Not Let Go for a Single Instant

Brothers and sisters, who sustains your life now? In whose hands are your hands and your shoulders entrusted? At the moment you try to start something new by drawing the bowstring toward the target of life, who is the one sustaining that bow?

 

If you think only your hands are holding that bow, it is a big mistake. Do you think you can live only with your own strength? Do you think that when you fall failed, you must get up again solely with your own strength? The Bible tells us that is by no means the case.

 

The fact that God is with your life means that He is the one who sustains you not only when things go well, but in all moments of failure and falling, and even in the scene of amazing suffering. He is my Shepherd, and He is the Shepherd who risked His life for me. Moreover, He becomes my warrior, my promise, and my word.

 

Is there perhaps a word you love and to which your heart especially goes when reading the Bible? Do you not rejoice saying "this word is truly my word"? Precisely that God becomes your word. That God prays for us without slumbering or sleeping. At this very instant, Jesus Christ is interceding for you.

 

We sometimes lose our own life and wander. But the Bible proclaims that there is someone who does not lose us for a single instant. There truly exists someone who gave up the most precious thing of Himself for me. Even if the parents of the world abandon me or forget me, there is someone who says: "I will never forget you."

 

The love of the One who says "I have given even my only son for you, what more would I spare for your life?" is sustaining you now. I hope you are the ones who move forward courageously trusting in this Almighty God, the Almighty of Jacob.

 

God’s Call That Creates a New Life Every Day

That is precisely the God El Shaddai. The one who creates you today as well, the one who molds you anew today as well. No matter how much you reproach yourself saying "I am a person without hope," "I never change," the powerful armor of God’s grace is never pierced. Because God does not stop His zeal toward us.

 

God tells us this: "You are a different being from yesterday. You are a newer being today, and a being that has advanced one step further toward God. Regardless of what you did today or what situation you are in, I sustain you until the end. I, who create you and renew you, am precisely the God El Shaddai." The one who renews us today as well is my God.

 

You might think you are spending a today identical to yesterday. "What will be special tomorrow? Since it is Monday, I’ll have to go to work. I’ll eat while working, return home after leaving work, and then fall asleep, and the next day the same routine will repeat." Do you think this repeating cycle is everything in your life?

 

The life of a pastor like me has nothing special at first glance. I wake up in the morning, eat, look at the Bible a bit more deeply than you, and pray at the time set for the saints. The day ends after going on visits or meeting people. The next day a routine awaits me that is not very different.

 

But the Bible declares that our life is not like that at all. No matter how small and insignificant it seems to us, everything that happens in our life is a new event that is never identical to yesterday. Because the Almighty God El Shaddai is creating something new for you in every moment.

 

Let Us Pray

Lord of love, today we have approached humbly before the Lord. The Lord who sustains me is precisely my Lord, so, Lord, let it be that in this place we return to praising only the Lord and remembering Him fully.

 

My Shepherd and my Almighty God El Shaddai, let it be that I realize deeply that I am already a blessed one thanks to Him, and let it be that we are the ones who live fully enjoying that grace.

 

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who sustains us. Amen.