LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Thursday 2nd December 2021
JEHOVAH SABAOTH
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17
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. 1 Samuel 17:45
David faced the Philistine giant, Goliath, with a firm faith in the Lord. Though he was just a youth and Goliath, a mighty and experienced warrior, David had confidence that God would give him victory. He revealed that the source of his confidence was ‘the Lord of hosts’.
In Hebrew, the Lord of Hosts is Yahweh Sabaoth – God who leads the army. It is a compound name that includes God’s revealed name to Israel, Jehovah (YHWH), and Sabaoth – meaning hosts. The word ‘hosts’ is used very frequently to refer to the armies of Israel. However, ‘hosts’ also includes God’s heavenly armies. There are two groups to consider as we look at God’s name as the Lord of hosts.
• He is Lord of the heavenly hosts. The Lord has spiritual armies at His disposal. There is an innumerable company of heavenly beings who act at the command of the Lord. They are the mighty warriors that fight for God’s purposes to be established.
• He is Lord of the Christian hosts. The church of Christ is God’s army on earth. Every born-again believer in Christ is part of God’s army. We act on the command of the Lord. We go out evangelizing the nations in the name of the Lord. Through us, the message about who God is and what He has accomplished is made known.
When David stepped out to meet Goliath, he considered himself as part of God’s army. Though he was young and not yet qualified to be a member of Israel’s army, he considered himself a part of God’s army. David trusted the Lord to use him for His glory.
Like David, we should also avail ourselves for the Lord to use. We must recognize that we are His army, and He is our Commander. At His command, we can march confidently, knowing there is victory at the end of every battle He leads us into.
May the Lord of Hosts use each of us for His glory.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of Hosts. I am part of your army. Use me to establish your kingdom on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.