Genesis 17:1
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born and being at that age I’m sure he was excited to finally have an heir, but Ishmael was not the fulfillment of the covenant that God made with him. God appeared to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old and says to him that I am the Almighty God or El Shaddai.
When we think of the number ninety-nine most of us think of the end of a thing. That one more step and it’s over. You start preparing for the end. But God came to Abram when he was ninety-nine and told him that He was his El Shaddai. The word Shaddai comes from the Hebrew word Shad which means breast as in a woman’s breast. The place where the child receives his nourishment to live. Whenever the child is hungry or feels lack the child cries for the mother’s breast. Once upon the mother’s breast the child is quieted and satisfied.
At ninety-nine when Abram thought he had the best that he could have God says to him it’s not over. I El Shaddai am your supply and as such I will pour into you want you need as you feed upon me. It was at the time of this revelation that God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah and a year later Issac was born.
Are you at your ninety-nine today? Have given up believing to see the fulfillment of the promise of God in your life? Are you ready to throw in the towel? See God as your El Shaddai, see Him as the one who is continuously pouring into your life and supplying you with everything you need. Feed upon His breast, He not only will nourish you but He will restore you and satisfy you with His goodness. He will never forget His covenant with you.
