You are the Lord of hosts, the Lord of armies, the Lord of battles.
I rejoice because Your name proclaims that You guard me, hide me, and fight for me.
Focus of the Month: Promises, Promises
Have you ever watched a mother with her baby, how she guards and protects that child from any possible harm? Have you witnessed a momma fight for and defend her young? The natural maternal instinct is to guard, protect, hide, defend, provide and fight for the life of her offspring. That instinct is a gift from God, provided to us as a reflection of His own character, love, and passion toward us. We are, after all, created in His image.
Yes, we are the created; He is the Creator. But He didn’t just create you and me. He is the Creator of the universe – the heavens and the earth, the skies and the planets, the seas and the oceans, the mountains and the valleys! He is the Creator of the angels – the cherubim and seraphim, the guardians and the ministering spirits, the heavenly hosts and chariots of fire. The Lord God, most holy, is the King of glory, mighty in battle, strong to deliver, mighty to save.
The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea and Amos tell us repeatedly, “The Lord of hosts is His name.” He is Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord God of Hosts, The Lord God of Armies, The Lord God of Battles. The hosts, the armies, those fighting the battles are the angels. And the angels are guardians and warriors for us, at the direction of the Lord God Almighty.
We often don’t think of angels being soldiers or warriors. After all, cartoons depict angels as cute little baby figures with diapers. Consider the events of 2 Kings 6:8-17. Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the enemy, and the servant was panicking in fear. Calmly, Elisha prayed that the Lord open his servant’s eyes so he could see the Lord’s army with them. Could you imagine if his servant opened his eyes to see cute, fat little babies with harps? That would not have provided any comfort or confidence! Instead, the Lord made it possible for the servant to see what Elisha had already witnessed: legions of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them, protecting them, and keeping the enemy away from them.
God did that for two men! Just think – His very name declares He does that for you! Likewise, scripture proves out His character and faithfulness toward us, His children.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you” (Deuteronomy 33:27). Meanwhile, 1 Samuel 17:47 declares, “for the battle is the Lord’s.” 2 Samuel 22:3-4 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so I shall be saved from my enemies.”
Further, Psalm 91:11-12 states “For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.” And 2 Thessalonians 3:3 encourages us: “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
Just as a mother guards her precious little one, keeping the child from harm, so the Lord of Hosts surrounds you – His precious child – with armies of angels to protect you. His very name declares it to be so! It’s a promise we can cling to as we trust in the name of the Lord!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Genesis 1: 27; Psalm 104; Psalm 24:8-10; Isaiah 47:4; 63:1; Jeremiah 50:34; Hosea 12:5; Amos 4:13
