Theme: Yaweh Sabaoth: The Lord of Host (2) 22nd April. 2024
Memory Verse: Jer 51:20
You are My battle-axe and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms.
Topic: God at war in the Scriptures
Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 17:45-47
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” NKJV
Words of the Ministry:
Yesterday while considering the week’s theme Jehovah Sabaoth, we learnt that our God is a man of war and that the name Jehovah Sabaoth is his military name. We said when his personal name Jehovah is combined with other words it shows his personality. For instance, with Abraham, he was Jehovah Jireh, the great provider who provided a ram in place of Isaac as sacrifice. As we look at Jehovah Sabaoth, we are engaging his military name as the Lord of Host. Today I would look at a few examples of instances where God engaged in battles on behalf of his people, we would see a recurring situation which would guide us in drawing certain conclusions.
The first use of Yahweh Sabaoth was by a woman called Hannah who was in sorrow over her prolonged bareness 1sam (1.9-11). She had severally visited Shiloh but this particular time she engaged Jehovah Sabaoth over her bareness and her situation changed, God gave her a son who later became a high priest and judge in Israel. From her case we see that those meant to birth unique children or destinies could at times be confronted by challenges from the devil needing Lord of Host, many would keep asking God to give them a child or their needed blessings rather than engaging in warfare against the power holding back the answers, in Hannah’s case she didn’t need God as Jehovah Jireh (great provider) but as Jehovah Sabaoth(Lord of Host) to have her testimony.
As we read through scriptures we see several cases where God was engaged as Jehovah sabaoth, for instance
” David and Goliath- 1sam 17.45-50, David had victory by invoking the Lord of Host. God intervened from the heavenlies, and David had victory in the physical over his enemies.
” Moses and Israelites against Egypt – Exo 14-28, The Israelites won victory over the Egyptians by the intervention of the Lord of host. God buried the Egyptians in the red sea while Moses and Israel celebrated victory.
” Joshua and Israelites against Amorites- Joshua 10:7-11, the Israelites won victory as the Lord of host killed the Amorites with hail stones from heaven. So while God intervened from Heaven, The Israelite won the victory on earth.
” Gideon and his 300-man army against the Midianites – Judges 7(God used 300 men, to defeat a mighty army of the Midianites who heard the sound of the trumpet thinking it was the sound of the feet of soldiers, God granted Israel Victory by twisting the mind of the Midianites.
From all the examples above, we would notice that while God fought from the heavens, men enforced it on earth. That is the meaning of having dominion, Gen 1.27, God’s original intention was that man in his image and likeness should express dominion, his dominion expressed through men to overcome the devil. In the battle of life, we are God’s battle axe to smash his enemies on their cheek bone but instead on many engaging in war, they are waiting idle for God to fight for them. We have seen from Scripture that for man to gain victory on earth, man must be involved, cooperating with God all the way, may the Lord grant us light.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 3-5. For further fellowship send us an email on godmanvideos@gmail.comor visit our youtube channel: @godmanmedia. You can also interact with us by dropping your comments on our facebook page. Our physical meeting, Word feast comes up every Wednesday by 5pm and Prayer Gym every Saturday by 7am while PENIEL comes up once a month, every last Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6.30pm at Suite A10, Ahser Office Complex, beside Living Faith Church, Opposite Hassan Stores, Arab Road, Kubwa Abuja.