Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord of Hosts (1)

It is debatable if there is a difference between the last day of the year and the first day of the New Year or just the euphoria surrounding the New Year celebrations. The one difference, however, may be in the change in date, the programmes and the celebrations that the New Year is known for. Days, dates, programmes and activities may change, and in some circumstances, they may or may not make any difference, but one thing is certain, God who controls the year never changes. He remains constant and eternal.

What may determine the turnout of events for us in the year is our knowledge of God and the revelation of his character. We need to know God, as the Lord of Hosts if we must win the battles ahead of us. Jehovah Sabaoth is one of the titles God is known. It reveals His character. David overcame Goliath in the name and power of Jehovah Sabaoth. Like David, the giants that lie ahead of us can also be surmounted when we catch a revelation of God as the Lord who is there to help us fight our battles.

David said to Goliath, “… You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s armies — the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied,” (1 Sam.17.45 NLT).

The name Sabaoth comes from the Hebrew word for “that which goes forth” and for “armies” or “hosts.” The name declares God’s reign over heaven and earth and all armies, earthly and spiritual. David, understanding the real conflict, declared that “the battle is the Lord’s.” And through Him, Yahweh Sabaoth, “the Lord of Hosts,” defeats the mighty Philistine and its gods.”

David’s triumph over Goliath is a story of contrasts and ironies between David and Goliath: tall versus short, strength versus weakness, experienced warrior versus a neophyte, arrogance versus humility, glorious victory versus humiliating defeat.

David in Psalm 24 reveals the identity of the Lord of Hosts and what He does. He says: “Who is the King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of Glory enter. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Heaven’s armies — He is the King of Glory,” (Ps.24.8-10 NLT).

Jesus is the captain of the armies of God. The Apostle John in the book of Revelations gives us a portrait of Jesus leading the armies of God. “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords,” (Rev.19.11-16 NLT).

Let us seek to know the character and operations of Jehovah Sabaoth, which will make a lot of difference in the battles we shall invariably fight this New Year.

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