Lord of Hosts

“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” - Psalm 46:7

As Christians, most of us likely know and understand that God is always with us. It is even possible that for many this truth has become so familiar that we have lost the awe and wonder it deserves. In Psalm 46:7 the psalmist describes the God that is always with him as, “The LORD of hosts.” By referring to God by this name, Jehovah Sabaoth (LORD of hosts in Hebrew), the psalmist is ascribing glory, power and majesty to God.

The prophet Amos wrote, “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness and treads on the high places of the earth, the LORD of hosts is His name (Amos 4:13).” Isaiah also used this name saying, “Thus says Jehovah, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last and there is no God besides Me’” (Isaiah 44:6). The name LORD of Hosts appears more than 270 times in the Old Testament, making it the most frequently used compound name for God. Most of these uses occur in the books of the prophets. It is clear that God wants to communicate His supernatural and ever-present power to His people, especially during desperate circumstances.

The time of the prophets in the Old Testament was when Israel was crumbling. The Nation was divided and then conquered by Babylon and Assyria. The children of Israel were captured and exiled. And it was during these years of chaos, suffering and heartache that God repeatedly reminded His children of His name. When all hope was lost and defeat seemed inevitable Israel’s Warrior God, the LORD of hosts, reminded them that the battle was His…and it still is.

AW Tozer said, “To regain her lost power the Church must see heaven opened and have a transforming vision of God.” God is so much more than “the man upstairs.” We must seek to know God in His majesty. He is God Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the only wise God. If He is for us, who can be against us?

When we are at the end of our ropes, we can call on the LORD of hosts. He commands an army of angels and rules over all the heavenly hosts. When we are powerless, He will fight for us. When there is no other help, there is always God. As the psalmist wrote, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.”

Father, Please help me to see You in all Your majesty and power. Thank You for fighting for me, protecting me, and giving me victory over sin. 

 In Jesus’ Name, Amen.