Tag: Lord of Hosts
God: I Will be Exalted!
Scripture reading for September 4: Psalm 46:8-11 “Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Fortress.”
Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Psalm 46 was written by the sons of Korah, a Levite worship leader. This psalm extols the virtues of God and His mighty works. It recognizes that God Alone promises to bring peace to His people by breaking the bow and shattering the spears and burning up the chariots. God is a Warrior and commands a mighty heavenly army. His Name is the Lord of hosts, which refers to the hosts of waring angels that do His will on earth as heaven directs.
In order to begin to understand God, His people are exhorted to be still before Him and begin to truly know the God Who fights for them. They are to exalt Him in worship as an example to the nations who God also desires to come under His authority and know His goodness and grace.
God fulfilled His own declaration by sending His own Son and exalting Him to the highest place of total authority. At the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth. Every tongue will confess that He is Lord- God with us! He truly is our fortress and defender and will quell all our enemies–even death itself!
Prayer: Jesus, I bow my knees to You as King and Lord! I confess You to be my Fortress and Deliverer from all forces of evil. I exalt You on earth! May all be still and know You are God! Amen.
“Be Still and Know”
Scripture reading for July 6: Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” vs. 8-11 “Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. Be still and know that I AM God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
When we experience a disruption in our lives because of sickness, emotional breakdown, or unexpected war or trouble, it is good to remind ourselves about God. The psalmist was going through such a time in his own life. He composed this song as an offering of worship and it is now recorded in God’s Word as a revelation of Who our God is. It builds faith in our hearts as we read and receive the truths declared. We can declare that God is with us now and He is just what we need as our “I AM”.
First of all, God is our refuge and strength. He is always present with us in our trials and troubles. He is the “I Am” that we need when under attack. He is the commander of heaven’s armies (Lord of hosts) and our fortress, giving us His own glorious presence as a wall of fire around us. (Zechariah 2:5) He has already won the battle and we can boast in His victory. We can rejoice in His protection and presence.
I am encouraged that God fights my battles. I bring to mind previous victories. How wonderful that God makes wars to cease. He breaks bows and shatters the spears of enemies who seek my harm and death. He causes the chariots of my foes to be burned with fire or buries them in the sea with overwhelming waves. As I quiet my mind and encourage myself in remembering and recounting God’s mighty works of deliverance, the Holy Spirit reveals God’s eternal presence and power. The great “I AM” is exalted in my life, I declare Him among the nations, and say ‘amen’ to His Kingship over the whole earth!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your declared presence with me now and always. Thank You for being my refuge and fortress in my time of trouble as well as the One Who fights for me and has defeated my enemies. Help me to be still and know that You are God! I exalt You as God over the earth! Amen.
Week 11–Day 1–Abiding Peace
Scripture reading for March 9: Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah spoke God’s Word to a people who were struggling to find peace. The super power of that day, Assyria, was threatening to take God’s people captive. The people and their leaders were not fully committed to follow God either. But God knew what they needed. He spoke to them about His own zeal to bring them a government of peace. He would give them a Child, His own Son. This Son would shoulder the burden of government with great wisdom. He would be called ‘Wonderful Counselor’, ‘Mighty God,’ ‘Everlasting Father’ and ‘Prince of Peace’! He would bring a lasting peace of which there would be no end through His righteous rule! God Himself, Lord over angel armies, would bring it to pass!
Our world is no different today. God’s people are scattered among those whose lives are disrupted by selfishness and sinful influences. As a responder to less than peaceful troubles, the best thing we can show those we are helping is a calm spirit and a personal peace that reassures the hurting. The only way to truly have this peace is to embrace the One spoken of by the prophet Isaiah 2700 years ago. We must come by faith to Jesus Christ, God’s Son Who came to earth as a child. This Son was given as a gift to the world of sinful men and women. He came proclaiming the kingdom of heaven and inviting those who would humble themselves to enter and find peace. The Lord of hosts (angelic warriors) would bring it to pass and has through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for fulfilling this ancient prophecy given to people lacking peace and justice. Thank You for Your zeal to love us by providing the ‘Prince of Peace’ to rule over us eternally. Help me to reflect His peace to those I am sent to help. Amen.