SEARCHLIGHT
Are you confident you are receiving the best counsel and guidance?
SCRIPTURE
This also comes from the Lord of Hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance. Isaiah 28:29 NKJV
SPOTLIGHT
Knowing someone’s name is so important. But knowing someone by name is even more important! Do you personally know any of the “Who’s Who Of The World”? Maybe you know about some prominent people who have world influence but more than likely you don’t personally know them by name. Here’s the twist. You can personally know the “Who’s Who of the Universe”! God, the living Creator of all, wants you to personally know Him by name.
The “Who’s Who of the Universe” has chosen to reveal Himself by identifying His 9 compound names in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In order to personally know the Living God by name, ask yourself the following question in the next paragraph.
Who is the “Who’s Who” for being the greatest military commander? The considerations would include Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon and others.
Who is the “Who’s Who” in this present world when it comes to being the most powerful, influential person? Most people would agree this is the President of the United States of America who is also known as the Commander-in-Chief. He oversees military personnel and atomic/nuclear power.
Who is the “Who’s Who” in the universe when it comes to being the most powerful and influential? In today’s Scripture focus, we MEET THE GREATEST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. His name is Jehovah Sabaoth or The Lord of Hosts. This compound name occurs more than 270 times in the Old Testament.
Jehovah means “I am who I am” which in turn means God is eternal and self-existent. God is the God of the present time, this moment, and this very instant. He is also personal and He wants you to know His presence.
Sabaoth means “armies or hosts” which in turn means God is sovereign over every earthly and heavenly army. God is in control. He is powerful beyond your comprehension. In addition, as Isaiah 28:29 states, the Greatest Commander-in-Chief provides unbeatable counsel and guidance. This should be expected. This is why God is in control. His strategies always lead to winning. And God wants you to win by worshiping Him with your whole life.
The story is told about a Sunday school teacher, who said to his children “We’ve been learning just how powerful the kings and queens were in Bible times. But there is an even higher power than the kings and queens. Who can tell me what that power is? An eight-year-old instantly raised his hand and shouted out, “It’s aces teacher. Aces are higher than kings and queens!” Obviously, that was not what the teacher had in mind. But the question needs to be asked.
Are you trusting in how many aces you hold to win life’s race or are you looking to God?
Does your life ever seem like it is out of control? Are you receiving the best counsel and guidance through life’s tough times? Do you have the right plan in place for life? Are you getting beat up or are you protected? When you read other translations of the Bible, Jehovah Sabaoth is translated as “The Lord Almighty,” “The Lord All Powerful,” “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies,” and “The Lord of All.” Putting it another way, the Greatest Commander-in-Chief is the Lord of all and the Lord over all. And He longs for you to be connected to Him, so you will be directed and protected by Him.
Are you worshipping Jehovah Sabaoth? Are you trusting the God of today and the God who is in control of everything? Throughout history, man has worshiped nature. People give their attention to the sun, moon, stars, or planets. They gaze at the heavens. The Bible is clear that there is someone far greater than all of the components of the heavens. All heavenly bodies are governed by Jehovah Sabaoth, the Commander-in-Chief. Isaiah 44:6 states, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.’” [NKJV] You should be worshiping God and not the heavens or even yourself. You should not allow anyone or anything to take your focus off of God.
Reality says, “You have problems…big problems…some problems that will not go away.” God says, “I am Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord of Hosts. ‘I know everything about when and how and where.’” [Isaiah 28:29, The Message] Faith says, “I believe you are bigger than my problems. You are my God, Jehovah Sabaoth. You are ‘The Lord of Hosts.’ I trust you with my life. There is no god, person or thing greater than you, the Greatest Commander-in-Chief.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Jeremiah, the prophet, was in jail because of his faith in God. Read his story in Jeremiah 32. Pay attention to how he prays to “The Lord of Hosts” in Jeremiah 32:17-19. He knows there is absolutely nothing God cannot do for him. Take a moment to pray Jeremiah’s prayer in your own words.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord God, I worship and praise You, Jehovah Sabaoth, “The Lord of Hosts.” You are incomparable. You are invaluable to me. Forgive me for having ignored You. Forgive me for trying to replace You with some other object of worship. Forgive me for putting myself above You. You are one of a kind. There is no one else like You. I give You my adoration. You have captivated my heart, soul, mind, and strength. AMEN