Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Lord of Hosts

There are many different names in the Bible that are used for the name of the Lord. One of the names is "The Lord of Hosts." It is this name that gives me peace in the midst of the trials of life. It is this name I cry out to when seeking how to pray or what strategy to use that will result in victory.

I found 273 references to the Lord of Hosts in the Old Testament. I surely will not refer to all of those in this devotional. However one story you are likely very familiar with is in the book of Joshua. The scripture relates a time when Joshua was likely pre-occupied with the coming battle with Jericho. "Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us or for our adversaries?' And He said, 'No, rather I indeed come now as Captain of the host of the Lord.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to Him, 'What has my Lord to say to his servant?' And the captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, 'Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so." (Joshua 6:13-15 NAS)

Joshua seems to have realized that the "man" he saw was no ordinary man. He removed his sandals and worshiped the Lord of Hosts, the Captain of the host of the Lord. He must have come to know at that moment the battle was not his but the Lord's. I can almost hear him give a shout....Hallelujah!! He still had to engage the enemy but the Lord of hosts would release the plan that would lead to victory. And so in the following chapters Joshua explains to the people the plan the Lord of Hosts has revealed. God's people followed the plan. Did you ever wonder what they must have thought about the plan? Who would ever consider marching around a city for six days with seven priests carrying seven trumpets before the ark, with armed men before the priests and a rear guard after the ark? And then to march in silence until the seventh day when Joshua told them to shout!! And yet the scripture does not relate any grumbling or complaining. They followed the plan "and the walls fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city." (Joshua 6:20b) Amazing!!

Another familiar time the Lord of Hosts appears is when David approached Goliath, the Philistine, and said "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and 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 taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you." (1 Samuel 17:45-46a NAS) Was David simply an arrogant young man? I think not. David had ears to hear what the Spirit of God was saying to him. He did not listen to the advice of his brothers or even his earthly king. He followed the training and the plan the Lord of Hosts had released to him. He was victorious in the name of the Lord of Hosts.

I believe the Lord of Hosts continues to be alive and well. I believe with all my heart that in the midst of the trials of life it is critical that I seek first the Lord of Hosts, worship Him, and seek His plan. I will likely still have to face the trial as did Joshua and David but as with them I will be victorious to the glory of my Lord. I may not recognize the plan as a sound plan by my own understanding, but it will line up with His Word. Friends and even family may think I am a little crazy but if I humble myself and am obedient to His plan I am confident I can be more than an overcomer. The Lord of Hosts lives and it is He who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly far more than you or I could think or ask. Glory to His name.

Consider the following prayer:
Lord of hosts, I thank you for the lessons of scripture. I thank you for the pictures you give us of those who submitted themselves to seek your face and humbly obey. I thank you that I can release the trials of this world to you. My enemy is a defeated foe. Lord, I long to fully submit to you as Lord of my life. I long to love you with my whole mind, heart, soul and strength. Please release unto me ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying and the heart to obey, that I might walk victoriously to the glory of Your name, dear Lord of hosts.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

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