Of all the names for God, LORD of Hosts, seldom crosses our lips, yet stands as the one name that we instinctively appeal to during crisis. Today, the name of Jesus, perhaps, remains the most common of all names uttered in desperation — the One who gave Himself to rescue us from drowning in hopelessness and sin. Long ago, however, God gave another powerful name to bring comfort and assurance in trial.
We find the name, The LORD of hosts, uttered first by a woman, mercilessly harassed, publicly shamed, and humiliated for her weak and barren condition. Though loved by her husband, she cries to God for help to conceive a child she would later dedicate to God. The unconditional love of her husband failed to bring her solace.
“This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh … In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty (Jehovah Sabaoth), if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life”
1 Samuel 1:3 NKJV
At this time, the priesthood had fallen into ruin. To most people, God appeared both distant and silent.
“…In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”
1 Samuel 3:1
Into this desperate situation stepped a woman of faith. When faith had all but vanished, faith moved to the forefront. When obstacles loomed like mountains, Hannah found hope and solace in one alone, The LORD of Hosts — not in the love her spouse nor the traditional offerings of sacrifice, but in the only One who could redeem an unredeemable situation.
LORD of Hosts
In some ways, LORD of Hosts feels foreign to us, although it shouldn’t be. The name speaks of God’s universal sovereignty over every army — spiritual and earthly. This name more than any other points to God’s complete rulership over the entire universe, expressing military engagement.
Worshiping the LORD of Hosts, then and now, involved personal sacrifice. Let’s briefly look at the context for this name.
- Psalm 24:10, “Who is the King of Glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Jehovah Sabaoth) — he is the King of Glory.”
- Isaiah 1:9, “Unless the LORD Almighty (Jehovah Sabaoth) had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”
- Isaiah 31:4, “This is what the LORD says to me: ‘As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey … so the LORD Almighty (Jehovah Sabaoth) will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.'”
- Malachi 3:17, “‘On the day when I act,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.'”
When we feel like nothing is left, when the lion growls and battles rage, oh dear one, let’s lift up our eyes and look toward the LORD of Hosts. Let’s worship Him! Let’s offer Jehovah Sabaoth the worship worthy of His name, for even now the LORD Almighty rises to your defense.
The Lord Almighty
Psalm 46 reflects such worship.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging … The LORD Almighty (Jehovah Sabaoth) is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Psalm 46:1-3,7
Bible commentaries agree that Psalm 46 defines a time when enemy armies had surrounded God’s holy city. No one and nothing could help them. They were facing an insurmountable foe and losing all hope of victory. without hesitation, King Hezekiah responded to the situation by tearing his royal robe and falling on his knees in humility before the God.
“LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to the words … sent to ridicule the living God … Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God.”
2 Kings 19:15-19
Do you share the anguish of King Hezekiah. Does all feel lost? Are you losing hope? Jehovah Sabaoth is near!!! He has not forsaken you!!! The LORD of Hosts is with you in the battle. May this song taken from Psalm 46 reassure you in your battle.
Jehovah Sabaoth
Andrew Jukes, in his book The Names of God (page 157), speaks eloquently on this precious name:
“It is when Israel has failed, not in Egypt or the desert only, but in the land of promise, that the name “Jehovah Sabaoth” is first learnt; and not until (God’s people are) divided, and in peril of being led captive out of the land, does it become the name to which (they) seem instinctively to turn for comfort and deliverance. In a word, we do not know this name, the LORD of Hosts, till we have learnt of (our own) fall, and that no other … can help us, for (we) are bitterly divided and destroying one another. But though (we) fail, God ever remains, and as the LORD of Hosts there is help in Him, when there is no other helper. Therefore, when all things shake, the Psalmist says, “The Lord of Hosts is with us” … God is and must be ever sufficient, for a ruined church, people, and world.”
When we face suffering and the taunting of the enemy, that is the very time when the LORD of Hosts comes to our rescue — not always from the problem, but always with us in the midst of it.
May we respond like King Hezekiah to humble ourselves in prayer to Jehovah Sabaoth, seeking refuge and strength from Him alone. Is it you I’m praying for today to find courage? Is it you for whom I’m appealing to the LORD of Hosts?
You are not alone! Be strong, my dear friend. Help and hope is on the way. The Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth comes to rescue and save.
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The Lord of Hosts Jehovah Shabaoth came to my rescue. He fought for me, a fearce battle raged against me in the purchasing of my home and when it seemed like there was no hope. Psalms 46 got me through. Reminding myself of Hebrews 11:1 what it means to have faith, trusting in no one but The Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Shabaoth to fight my battle and save me. Declaring Isaiah 54:17 over my life. God preformed a miracle for me and late in the midnight hour He turned thkngs around in my favour and made me victorious. I encourage you to be still and see the salvation of the Lord. Amen